Pip Appeal

battyboimatt

So in August, I went for my PIP assessment, then at the end of September, I got the dreaded 0 point letter, so on the 11/10/17 I sent in a mandatory reconsideration signed for to which they got on the 12/10/17. However six weeks later I still had not heard anything so on 28/11/17 I sent a reminder letter in saying I still had not heard anything again signed for, then on 07th December I get a letter telling me I still get 0 points and that I can appeal within 1 month of the letter to the tribunal.

Now this is where it gets complicated the 2 copies on the mandatory reconsideration are dated the 27th October 2017, so puts me way over the 1-month deadline, I never received any letter from them until after my reminder letter. I still have the tracking numbers to prove when I sent my letters, but as the dreaded brown envelopes are not posted marked I have any proof that there letter dated 27th October never received me until I sent the reminder letter in.

I feel this has scuppered my chance of appeal, I mean I have filled the appeal papers in and ticked that it may be late and explained the above. It's just so stresfull.

Hoogle

To be fair if you call DWP they will normally extend return times of things on request... AS for dealing with the DWP and pip claim then make sure you phone them up weekly for updates I have posted a very long thread regarding my hassle but due to chronological diaries of everything they phoned my support worker last night after 3 hours on the phone complaining and chasing up departments on their behalf to tell me I had been awarded PIP at Mandatory Reconsideration stage which is actually very rare.

Alice_Holt

Hoogle wrote: »

To be fair if you call DWP they will normally extend return times of things on request....

Except, of course the OP is now dealing with the Tribunal Service not the DWP!


OP - The TS will usually accept late appeals. If you have explained the circumstances on the SSCS1 form, then I would be very surprised if your appeal was not accepted.
You will get an acknowledgement letter from the TS, so you will then know that your appeal is going through.

I really don't think your chance of an appeal has been scuppered. If you are really worried about it, then give the TS 3 weeks to process your appeal, and if you haven't had the TS letter by then, give them a ring. They are usually very helpful.

PS This is useful on PIP appeals:
http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/

I would recommend attending the hearing, so you can put your points directly to the panel.