PIP cut...advice needed

deedee100

Recently had my PIP over the phone assessment. I received highest rate and lower rate mobility. I had stroke few years ago, fibro and ME, explained how I can not walk far and certainly not without help or walking sticks. And have received my assessment and they have cut me down to just standard rate and no mobility. Am absolutely distraught, it's a loss of over £70 a month, which I use for taxis and petrol costs to be taken places. I just don't know what to do. How can they just stop it from just over the phone without seeing how unable I am to walk unaided. Am that upset and lost I can't even see point on carrying on anymore as this will cut me off even more. I don't know what to do. Would really appreciate some help or who I can ask to help me.

calcotti

You can challenge the decision https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-a-benefit-decision/challenging-a-benefit-decision-where-to-start/

See if you can get advice to help you https://advicelocal.uk

Lanzarote1938

Surely the loss is more than £70 a month.

calcotti

Lanzarote1938 said:

Surely the loss is more than £70 a month.

The difference between enhanced rate Daily Living with standard rate Mobility and just standard rate Daily Living is roughly £53/week

Robbie64

As well as asking for a mandatory reconsideration, ask for a copy of the report that the health care professional completed after speaking to you on the phone. The report usually forms the basis of the decision that the DWP make so it is worth looking at to see if there are any errors in the report.

Spoonie_Turtle

Robbie64 said:

As well as asking for a mandatory reconsideration, ask for a copy of the report that the health care professional completed after speaking to you on the phone. The report usually forms the basis of the decision that the DWP make so it is worth looking at to see if there are any errors in the report.

Yes, sort of, but don't focus on factual errors unless it directly pertains to challenging the decision - so if they've justified a lower descriptor based on something inaccurate, you could say 'although the report states xyz, this is not the case, in fact ... '.
That said, the decision letter should have said the reasoning for the decision anyway.

Definitely challenge the decision, and focus on the areas where you think you should have scored (more) points.  Don't give up!  You know what you are entitled to so you need to fight for it, don't let the broken system win.  It is possible to have a decision overturned at the Mandatory Reconsideration stage (although it is not yet common) but even if not, if you can write a good explanation for what descriptors fit you and why at this stage you'll have laid the groundwork for an appeal if you have to take it that far.

Alice_Holt

This is a useful guide to the appeal process:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

And for the MR:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/pip-tool
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/challenge-a-decision-made-by-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-dwp

Some other guides and info:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
https://www.actionforme.org.uk/news/pip-changes-could-benefit-people-with-m.e./cfs/

"Reliability" is key to a successful appeal:
"  Central to the application of all the activities within the PIP assessment is a consideration of the manner in which they are undertaken.
 Considering reliability involves looking at whether the claimant can complete the descriptor as described:
• Safely – in a manner unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person, either during or after completion of the activity
• To an acceptable standard
• Repeatedly – able to repeat the descriptor as often as is reasonably required
• In a reasonable time period – no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a non-disabled person would normally take to complete that activity.

This applies to every activity within the assessment. If an individual cannot reliably complete a descriptor then they should be considered unable to complete it."    This will be very relevant to the conditions you experience.
(Taken from the PIP Assessment Guide Part 2)  

See if you can get some help from your local advice charity:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

How many points were you awarded for Daily Living?

Spoonie_Turtle

Btw for mobility aided or not doesn't matter, so don't focus on that.  Focus on how far you can walk with your sticks, reliably, repeatedly, safely, and to an acceptable standard (i.e. without severe pain or exhaustion) in a reasonable time frame.

In addition to the useful links and information already posted, the guide to specific terms used may be useful
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Guide to the language used in the PIP assessment criteria 2019.pdf
(From https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/how-decisions-are-made/)