Pip Mandatory reconsideration

dp1

As some of you will remember I applied for Pip two years ago, I have Long Covid. I went to tribunal and got just 4 points for mobility.
I applied again a few months ago and explained the ways in which my condition has deteriorated, especially my mobility
.
Again I have not been given any points and am going to do a mandatory reconsideration.
Do I refer back to my previous answers on the assessment forms, rather than write lengthy replies again?
I have no new information to add, but went into detail on the Pip forms.
Has anyone any advise on this, or experience of being awarded Pip for Long Covid or ME?
In my assessment phone call I found it difficult to understand the assessor and at times he found it difficult to understand me, having to ask me to spell out words....can I point that out now, without coming across as biased?

rosewalk

You need to consider the reasons why you were not awarded any points and challenge these. The decision letter should explain why you have been awarded 0 points. Did you request a copy of the Consultation Report produced by the Health Professional that assessed you? This will contain much more detailed information on why you have scored 0 points. I would advise that if you can you contact a local advice agency such as CAB for support to write the MR. 

ShinyStarlight1

The M.E Association may be able to help you with this query. You can find them online. They have done a lot to ensure that the particular difficulties of M.E. and now Long Covid are taken into account. For example, that you may be able to do certain activities on one day but not on another. Do consult them for advice. I think they have an advice leaflet specific to claiming benefit whilst enduring these illnesses.

Cyclamen

I have M.E, as does a loved one and online friends and receive PIP.

 A few sources of information.
The ME association and AFME have leaflets for claiming PIP and may have appeal ones.
The MS society (whilst not the same diagnosis) also had some good information.
Benefits and work website

I used a paid advice service to complete recent review and also used them when helping loved one appeal three years ago.  Its called fightback for justice ( a non profit charity)  and for £15 for one month i had a digital version of the form, which is great for pacing and less energy for me to type. They have worked examples for some diagnosis and offer a phoneline/email/online chat advice service for questions and a checking service. Its all run by professional benefits advisors and legal teams.    

With long Covid its important to explain fluctuations, can you do the task as often as is reasonable, can you repeat the task are you safe doing the task.  Then explain the 'payback' post exertional malaise in ME lingo or exacerbations/ recovery periods. 

For mandatory reconsideration we went through the report stating PIP awarded X but the following difficulties, symptoms etc would suggest Y points fit better.  PIP stated he has no difficluty in Y but these are the problems he has. 

With cognitive dysfunction, emotional and physical energy we ended up paying for help for the appeal.  I dont think anyne should have to pay to get information and the correct outcome but it was the right route for us. 

I hope you get the correct outcome with minimal struggle

dp1

Thank you all for your replies x

Spoonie_Turtle

The irony, I was successful for mine (ME predating covid) but no brain power to think and explain or answer your questions.  Did find this post on a previous thread of mine https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77800056/#Comment_77800056

Advice I always give is focus on descriptors not on correcting the entire report.  Just refuting faulty reasoning where applicable.  Will try and come back when I can engage brain better.

Oh and reliably and repeatedly are key for us.  poppy12345 always says to give examples of what happened when previously tried to do each activity - aftereffects especially, for us.

ellied61

Hi, it's all about how you answer the questions so I wouldn't recommend sending in identical answers to your original application because you will get an identical result. It would take ages for me to explain but there are free services out there who deal specifically with how to complete PIP Applications. I wouldn't normally suggest a social media site but a woman posts accurate and very helpful advice on Instagram, step by step guidance and explanations on the correct way to fill in this 'monster' of an application form and/or appeal. 
Hope this might be helpful
All the best

Spoonie_Turtle

ellied61 said:

Hi, it's all about how you answer the questions so I wouldn't recommend sending in identical answers to your original application because you will get an identical result. It would take ages for me to explain but there are free services out there who deal specifically with how to complete PIP Applications. I wouldn't normally suggest a social media site but a woman posts accurate and very helpful advice on Instagram, step by step guidance and explanations on the correct way to fill in this 'monster' of an application form and/or appeal. 
Hope this might be helpful
All the best

Agreed just identical won't help.  But I repeated lots copied and pasted from my form - based MR on what I'd previously written, plus explanation of why the conclusions in the report for the relevant activities were wrong.  But because it was focused on the relevant activities where I knew I should score, and focused on specific descriptors (not sure if I referenced easier and harder days in my MR, possibly just focused on 'majority of the time') it probably made the DM's job easier, giving them just the relevant info instead of them having to sift through a whole form.

Also told them how the process had affected me and symptoms flared, able to do less for X time after a) filling in the form, b) exertion of assessment, c) during drafting MR request.  I can't be sure if it helped but it did not hinder my claim either.

ellied61

I really think it would be helpful to take a look at the Instagram account I mentioned because if app and appeal forms are filled in following the exact criteria that the PIP decision makers also have to follow then it will give you the best possible chance of success and the account that I've mentioned will give you the info that will make all the difference. It's all very peculiar to the benefit system and it's workings and I'm sure they confuse themselves most of the time lol
Ive done many appeals for people over the years but I still learned stuff that Is very helpful. This is just a suggestion and obviously you need to do whatevers best for you. 

dp1

Thanks to you both for your helpful replies - I wrote some of it in draft form last night, basically explaining how the assessors' conclusions were inaccurate and trying to explain why and pointing out that Long Covid is cognitive as well as physical...which is why I'm exhausted this morning!
ellied61 I will look at the instagram posts later

Ms_Wheels

Some good advice here  - just picking up on the reliability criteria which is vital for those of us with a degree of variability in symptoms.  

The reliability criteria means a claimant can only be deemed able to complete the activity if they are able to carry out that activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time frame. In addition, they need to be able to complete the activity (to the standard of the reliability criteria) on the majority of days, that is at least 50% of the time. If they cannot meet this criteria, then for PIP purposes they cannot do the activity or task.

For more info, google "PIP reliability criteria" and AI gives helpful summary.

More information on the whole PIP assessment can be found here:
PIP assessment guide part 2: the assessment criteria - GOV.UK