Pip reassessment because I have new info?

FabuLass

Hi all, I was given a full body mri and brain scan in Dec 2021 because I'd developed foot drop and my leg would randomly give way as I walked and I'd fall often due to this. (I also have peripheral neuropathy and degenerative bone and disc issues)

I was waiting to apply for pip once I had these results so I would have actual evidence as to my mobility issues. 

I received a letter from my neurologist stating further degeneration of the neck and spine as expected. Nothing else mentioned in the one paragraph she sent.

 So I went ahead and applied for pip and wasn't awarded any points for mobility which is a huge issue for me. I received an award for the standard daily rate. 

Months later the DSS asked me to fill a fit for work health assessment form. It asked for more detail than I knew so I asked for a copy of the results of my mri and brain scans.

I discovered on reading it that I'd suffered a stroke at some point. 
I was so upset and bewildered that it took me almost a week to speak to my doctor to tell him I'd discovered this.
 I was given an appointment right away and started on stroke meds etc (not with my own doc...he's avoiding me) this was now 10 months since I'd had the scans and should have been on meds all that time!

 I don't know whether to blame the doc for only reading cover note and not the report, or the neurologist for not including info about stroke in the covering note. 

Anyway I know when you apply for pip it's not the disease/disorder/illness you have that matters, it's how it affects you but I feel when I was explaining to the pip assessor about my trouble walking/leg collapsing etc it was not taken into consideration because there was nothing to back my claims up.

 Knowing now that I've suffered a  stroke many things make much more sense like the weakness I have down one side. 

After all this I guess my question is now that I have more information regarding my conditions can I be re-assessed for pip? It's 16 months since my initial application. 

Thank you for reading if you made it this far, any advice gratefully received.  

PixelPound

How long is your award for? Often it's 24 months, so you might be getting reassessed soon.

born_again

Yes, you can be reassessed. In effect it is like starting again. But could lose your previous award. So would have to go through MR & possibly tribunal process.
Only you can really make the decision, but did you not contest the original award on the mobility side?

HillStreetBlues

Reading your post to me sounds like you didn't challenge your award at the time (please correct if this is wrong).
I think it's too late at 16 months for a appeal,  so would have to report a change as your condition worse. If you did this you could lose the award you already have.



 

FabuLass

born_again said:

Yes, you can be reassessed. In effect it is like starting again. But could lose your previous award. So would have to go through MR & possibly tribunal process.
Only you can really make the decision, but did you not contest the original award on the mobility side?

Hi, no I didn't contest it because I wasn't aware I'd had the stroke at that time and I felt I didn't have any evidence or proof to back up what I was telling the assessor about tripping and falling...but now I do. 

FabuLass

HillStreetBlues said:

Reading your post to me sounds like you didn't challenge your award at the time (please correct if this is wrong).
I think it's too late at 16 months for a appeal,  so would have to report a change as your condition worse. If you did this you could lose the award you already have.



 

Hi, no I didn't challenge it at the time because I didn't have proof that there was a reason for my falls.
 If the doctor and/or neurologist had done their job properly I should have been made aware I'd had a stroke and I could have told the pip assessor at the time, however because of the incompetence of those professionals it was ten months later before I found out. 

FabuLass

nic_c said:

How long is your award for? Often it's 24 months, so you might be getting reassessed soon.

Hi, yes it's 24 months so it's 30th Jan next year my review will be. 

HillStreetBlues

FabuLass said:

Hi, no I didn't challenge it at the time because I didn't have proof that there was a reason for my falls.
 If the doctor and/or neurologist had done their job properly I should have been made aware I'd had a stroke and I could have told the pip assessor at the time, however because of the incompetence of those professionals it was ten months later before I found out. 

With an appeal you don't need "proof"
When it gets to a tribunal, they will ask you questions and decide on what they believe is true this includes your oral evidence.
My different appeals I had little evidence but won my appeals.
A friend had cast iron evidence, the DWP rejected it all.  It was so overwhelming that when the appeal judge read it, he awarded it without having to attend the tribunal.

Have a read of all the descriptors of PIP and work out how many points you should have been awarded. If you think you have been underscored then to ask for a reassessment ( with the risk of losing current award).
The new info might make little difference,  but you will get the chance to appeal that decision with a new claim. 

FabuLass

HillStreetBlues said:

FabuLass said:

Hi, no I didn't challenge it at the time because I didn't have proof that there was a reason for my falls.
 If the doctor and/or neurologist had done their job properly I should have been made aware I'd had a stroke and I could have told the pip assessor at the time, however because of the incompetence of those professionals it was ten months later before I found out. 

With an appeal you don't need "proof"
When it gets to a tribunal, they will ask you questions and decide on what they believe is true this includes your oral evidence.
My different appeals I had little evidence but won my appeals.
A friend had cast iron evidence, the DWP rejected it all.  It was so overwhelming that when the appeal judge read it, he awarded it without having to attend the tribunal.

Have a read of all the descriptors of PIP and work out how many points you should have been awarded. If you think you have been underscored then to ask for a reassessment ( with the risk of losing current award).
The new info might make little difference,  but you will get the chance to appeal that decision with a new claim. 

Thank you so much, I'll go back and look over the descriptors and give it all some thought. 
My head really has just been a mess as my husband passed suddenly age 56 with a massive heart attack then I found out shortly after I'd had the stroke. I'm feeling the pressure to stay alive and well for my kids...the whole thing has left me very anxious and I don't know if I could cope with tribunals etc.  

HillStreetBlues

FabuLass said:

Thank you so much, I'll go back and look over the descriptors and give it all some thought. 
My head really has just been a mess as my husband passed suddenly age 56 with a massive heart attack then I found out shortly after I'd had the stroke. I'm feeling the pressure to stay alive and well for my kids...the whole thing has left me very anxious and I don't know if I could cope with tribunals etc.  

Please don't be put off by a tribunal, it's much more daunting than it actually is, it's more akin to a job interview than a court.
Most people are nervous and they allow for that as it is an important decision they are making.
I've had a few dodgy assessments when they just lied about what I said, now I just go into one expecting that. With a tribunal I just felt they were searching for the truth.

born_again

FabuLass said:

born_again said:

Yes, you can be reassessed. In effect it is like starting again. But could lose your previous award. So would have to go through MR & possibly tribunal process.
Only you can really make the decision, but did you not contest the original award on the mobility side?

Hi, no I didn't contest it because I wasn't aware I'd had the stroke at that time and I felt I didn't have any evidence or proof to back up what I was telling the assessor about tripping and falling...but now I do. 

Thats the thing with PIP, it is not about what you have, but about what you can or can not do. So reasons for fall, is not required.

Good luck with your reassessment & do not forget if they do not agree, mandatory reconsideration 1st & then tribunal if required.
70% success rate @ tribunal.
Sorry for the loss.