PIP award letter

girl358

Award letter

Hi there,

My partner just received the award letter detailing all the points he scored on the daily living and mobility. He has been awarded enhanced rate for both, which we are happy with. But the points awarded for certain things don’t truly reflect his situation. Has anyone else been in this situation? We don’t want to appeal the decision as we are happy with the award, but we don’t know if we should contact DWP to clarify some of the scores.

 

I am unsure if this would affect other things if we share this information with other companies. Would we need to share how many points he scores, or just the overall award? I’m also worried about the future review. Will it create a contradiction, if we argue for points in an area he initially didn't get scored for?

Tia

LinLui

I don't think that what "they think" and "what you think" ever match up. If you think the award is correct - that it should be enhanced at both - then it is right. Leave it be.

The only time you may need to share any information is if you are asking for special terms for disability, and in that case they accept the front page of the letter - what he scored for individual categories is no business of anyone else. 

Things may have changed by the time there ius a review - they often do. Usually for the worse, but you may be lucky and see improvement. Forget about the review until it is time for the review. You only have to inform the DWP if there is a significant change in his condition - especially if he significantly improves (although that isn't likely for most of us).

I don't know what your circumstances are income wise, but people often concentrate on subsequent benefit entitlement (which is important of course). But do remember that there are all sorts of other things to look out for. Many venues offer reduced rates and/or free entry for a required companion. Obviously you can apply for a blue badge and/or mobility car. Many suppliers of aids (and that may include special shoes or clothing) can supply VAT free for people with disabilities (although that could apply to people who don't get PIP too). There really are a lot more "benefits" than you may realise - I certainly didn't. If in doubt, always ask. There are so few benefits to being disabled (and most of us would swop them in a second if we could just not have a disability) - make sure you get what you can. 

poppy12345

Are you 100% certain that you fully understand the PIP descriptors and what they mean? Very few people do and for this reason it's very easy to over score and even under score yourself. Remember, PIP is about how you're affected for at least 50% of the time and if you can't complete an activity, safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period, you are treated as not being able to complete it at all. For this reason It's definitely possible that they are correct and you're not. 

HillStreetBlues

girl358 said:

Award letter

Hi there,

My partner just received the award letter detailing all the points he scored on the daily living and mobility. He has been awarded enhanced rate for both, which we are happy with. But the points awarded for certain things don’t truly reflect his situation. Has anyone else been in this situation? We don’t want to appeal the decision as we are happy with the award, but we don’t know if we should contact DWP to clarify some of the scores.

 

I am unsure if this would affect other things if we share this information with other companies. Would we need to share how many points he scores, or just the overall award? I’m also worried about the future review. Will it create a contradiction, if we argue for points in an area he initially didn't get scored for?

Tia

There is no middle ground, if you are unhappy with some points missing then they will look at all points scored, not just the ones you want them to look at.
With enhanced for both, settle for that with this award and deal with  might/ might not happen with the next review.

Spoonie_Turtle

girl358 said:

Award letter

Hi there,

My partner just received the award letter detailing all the points he scored on the daily living and mobility. He has been awarded enhanced rate for both, which we are happy with. But the points awarded for certain things don’t truly reflect his situation. Has anyone else been in this situation? We don’t want to appeal the decision as we are happy with the award, but we don’t know if we should contact DWP to clarify some of the scores.

 

I am unsure if this would affect other things if we share this information with other companies. Would we need to share how many points he scores, or just the overall award? I’m also worried about the future review. Will it create a contradiction, if we argue for points in an area he initially didn't get scored for?

Tia

Bits in bold, answered in order:
Yes, that's the situation with my previous award (now in the long queue for review) but there is absolutely no point contacting them about it.  There is nowhere higher to go so utterly pointless to try and get anything changed.

You'll only need to show the front page of the letter that confirms a PIP award.  How the points were scored doesn't matter.

It won't matter for the review.  Just fill in the forms comprehensively and see what happens.  Even if he were to get the exact same descriptors and award again it wouldn't matter, as above with the first point.

peteuk

When it comes to review the report will reflect the previous award.  For instance the first line will be along the lines of… (I can’t remember it word for word sorry) 

”In previous assessment (Date) assessed as X - descriptor.

It will then be for the new assessor to suggest why this has changed (both up or down) 

As noted above if you challenge the current award there is only one way you can go and thats down.  There is nothing above enhanced so you risk the whole award.

Muttleythefrog

I have been in similar situation... where I got awarded Enhanced DL and Standard Mobility which I think is correct. But I disagreed with some of the descriptors applied like you do here. I was also concerned that in future reviews I would be in a difficult situation of potentially trying to agree with things that were not correct. So...

What I advise from a point of view of practicality and risk.... leave it as it is... make sure you get a copy of any assessment report or paper based report the DWP commissioned to reach their decision (if such exists it was likely reflected in the decision)... and when review comes up you can make a case where you agree with the correct descriptors and say there has been no change in disablement (if applicable!) while making a case for the descriptors you think should apply that were not applied in this decision. Treat the review largely as a new claim but you can refer to points of agreement which makes you sound reasonable and reduces risk of them straying from the current award.

This way you
1. don't risk losing award
2. avoid facing having to make reconsideration request and potentially also an appeal.
3. Stand a chance of correcting things in the future with very low risk of losing award level.

I've done this (although in the first instance I asked for a reconsideration and like for most they didn't change decision) and over time with reviews they now do conclude all the correct descriptors. I think it's a bit like using a supermarket trolley... it never seems to quite go in the direction you push but as you build up some speed it tends to go quite straight down the aisles.

The only way I would advise otherwise is if there is some grave technical reason or excessive negative medical impact that means challenging the decision now is a necessity to avoid some bad outcome away from the benefit award itself.

Bigwheels1111

Enhanced rate for both, you are done.

Take the win.

Thank your lucky stars.