Fun & Games - PIP

The MR may not change anything, if my experience at CAB is anything to go by, but you need it in order to proceed to appeal.

NeilCr wrote: »

Just to be clear on this Rockingbilly was given the completed form to take home. He has said in various places on here that he didn't read it at all, he did read it and saw there was a lot wrong and he was "working on the form". He did, therefore, have a chance to get a copy made before sending it off

Unless it is an absolutely hopeless case I usually say go for the MR. Nothing to lose - but I certainly think, someone like Rockingbilly should seek help with it as he does seem to have a lot of problems with form completion.

Ah right... that changes a bit what I had imagined happened. I note his age is 67... would a new claim would therefore fail? I think it imperative they get a hold of copies of all evidence used ASAP including their form and study the descriptors to see what they should be getting awarded in theory. I've a horrible feeling they'll again have issues of time as DWP could be slow or obstructive in that regard if my experience is anything to go by.

rockingbilly wrote: »

Any advice on how to get the DWP to hurry up then?
I have no idea where to start with the MR as I have no paperwork to go by - not even the reasons about how the DWP came to make that decision.

I would read the above post as I agree with it. I'd call them up and explain your situation of not having copy of your form... and I'd state to them that you are going to ask for a reconsideration but that you first need a copy of all the evidence used ASAP including a copy of your form. I suspect that the document you have already received is as good as it gets in terms of explaining the descriptor choices.. it may in effect be their statement of reasons... it's not especially detailed but you'd expect to say something like 'you reported problems with cooking but we determine that you can cook as you regularly make meals yourself'. If there's no point in claiming again due to age preventing you qualifying (AA may be alternative) then it seems to me you lose little by pursuing a MR and then potentially an appeal. You've not got long though... but if time does press then you can towards the end of your month call them and say you want a MR but that you'll be supplying your written submission shortly... they may be able to consider your MR requested in time but to wait for evidence from you before carrying it out.

Unfortunately I can't grasp with confidence your abilities to manage these matters on your own.. often I'd quickly get a good feel for someone's competence in respect of such.. but I'm getting mixed signals..lol... you present to me on one hand someone liable to handle these matters very well yourself but on the other as someone who cannot. So someone else helping you may be necessary... what concerns me is that you seem to be making few waves in terms of determining if you should qualify for PIP... if you cannot determine that from looking at the descriptors then someone else may have to help you.... since the whole basis for any MR or appeal would be that you should qualify and you should do so because x is true and this is why... and y is true and this is why... and z is true and this is why. You used to get a good DLA award suggesting to outsider you do have significant disabilities day to day that may well lead to qualifying for PIP along similar lines. But these are technical questions that must be considered with facts at hand.. those facts will almost exclusively come from your experiences. There are some really basic things that need to be put in place before next step can be made with confidence. I agree with the above poster regarding their last point too... MR is necessary in order to appeal... if the wheels are falling off in terms of time and your access to support then the MR could be considered as the wasted but necessary step in order to appeal. That'd buy you the time you should need to get in place support and arguments for that appeal.

rockingbilly wrote: »

Well at the end of the day whether they chose to cause delays or not, it is entirely down to the DWP to get their fingers out as without the documentation I can't prepare or even discuss with Welfare Rights anything if I have no copies of the claim form or the evidence I sent in. They are also going to hold things up as well if they take too long in sending the copied ESA & DLA files that were requested in early January when the PIP claim started.

Yes the refusal letter says that a whole host of things the claim form said they say that I don't have any issues with them.

In which case you will be out of time on your MR

If you have no issue with what the refusal letter says (I am assuming it goes into detail on the descriptors) then why are you appealing. Personally, I'd be on to Welfare Rights for an appointment and take the refusal letter with you - alternatively many CABs/ advice centre have drop ins - you could take the paperwork you have in and ask whether if it is enough for an MR

The ESA and DLA forms aren't really relevant for an MR

You actually need to do something right now - not sit around waiting for others and then moaning about them.