Waiting on my PIP claim decision, how long roughly have others waited? I'm in South Wales area

Hi Kim,

I'm sorry to hear that you were not successful in your claim.  You can ring them again and ask for a copy of the assessment report, that will give tell you how the assessor scored you.  You can then start to assemble more evidence etc towards a Mandatory Review.  You only have 28 days to get this review in. Hopefully Denise or someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to advise you more fully. 

Hi Sukes, 

Thank you for your reply. I am really shocked to be honest. I have a life long condition which is not going to get any better. I wonder why it took them 5 weeks to come to that decision.

Do I have to wait until I receive the decision in writing before a ask for a Mandatory review?

Hi Kim,

I'm sorry to hear this. Yes you have to wait until you have the decision in writing to be able to ask for the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) As sukes said if you haven't already rang and asked for a copy of the assessment report please do this ASAP. Having waited 5 weeks for them to refuse you doesn't really mean there's a reason for this as there's most likely a backlog in your area. Decision times really do vary from area to area and can be anything from 2-8 weeks.

Once you have the decision in writing and the report from the assesment put it in writing that you want the MR. You have to look through that report and point out where you think you should have scored those points. Have a look online for those PIP descriptors. PIP is awarded based how your condition affects you daily and not on a diagnosis. Did you send any evidence to support your claim? Sending more evidence with this MR would be a good idea and if you can get more then even better. Please bear in mind that most MR decisions remain the same with a figure of 80% of those decisions remaining the same. Expect fully to have to take it to Tribunal where 65% of those that appear at their Tribunal have a decision in their favour. Don't give up, it's a long proccess but if you think you're entitled to it then fight it all the way. Hope this helps. Oh and also if you think you can't do this yourself then CAB are very good at helping. I'd advice ringing them ASAP to make an appointment.

I would think that you can request an MR now seeing as they have told you the decision over the phone, after all their letter may go astray or take days to get to you and you only have 28 days.  Ring and ask for one then put it in writing.

From what I hear, a lot of people get the same result again, but then you can appeal it and I believe the success rate of appeals is quite high, especially if you go personally to the appeal. 

I'm afraid you can't ask for the MR until the decision arrives in writing. Once the letter arrives then ring to state you want the MR and then put it in writing. Always put it in writing and never trust DWP with anything! xx

Ooops sorry Denise, I have a lot more to learn from you.  Maybe in about 10 years I might get it, but I doubt it    xx

Sukes, thank you very much for your reply.

Hi Denise,

Thank you for your reply. I did wonder whether I would have to wait for the decision to arrive. I will definitely put it is writing to DWP. Like you said, don't trust them with anything.

haha no worries sukes honestly! These benefits system is very confusing, even for me at times lol I've just started a PIP claim for my 16 year old daughter who has multiple issues in life, from a learning disability, to social anxiety disorder of childhood to autism. I've been fighting for answers to all of her issues for 13 years FINALLY i'm getting somewhere. I'm armed with some fantastic evidence that proves in black and white all those descriptors that apply to her. On paper she should get Enhanced for both. Even i need help with those dreaded PIP2 forms! lol So watch this space as i wipe the floor with DWP with my daughters PIP claim! xx

Hi Denise, 

i recieved   a copy of my PIP assessment report today. It is full of lies. I didn't score 1 point, zeros on everything. The assessor has completely ignored every answer to her questions & it's as if she has made the whole thing up, without me being there. I feel it was a complete waste of time attending the assessment as the assessor, didn't listen to anything I told her & just put on the report the complete opposite of everything I said.

I called today & told them I want an MR & the man I spoke to asked me to send any medical information I have to them. Which I will obviously send them.

Do you know the success rate of appeals?

You will need to write a letter and point out all those lies in the report and point out where you think you should have scored those points. 80% of MR decisions remain the same, so the likelyhood of you having to take it to Tribunal is very high. 65% of those who appear at their Tribunal have a decision in their favour. Of course you have to ask for the MR first before the Tribunal will accept your appeal. It's a very long process! Good luck.

Hi Denise,

it seems from what you say, that you've been fighting the benefits system for ever, no wonder you are very knowledgeable about it all.   It's probably fighting for your daughter that keeps you going.  You go girl and wipe the floor with the DWP    xx

Hi sukes,

Well not exactly the DWP the NHS, so DR's, consutlants, Mental health and even schools. Now i have answers and the proof (evidence) it's time to fight the DWP. Currently waiting for those PIP2 forms, it's been 8 days since i started her claim off. Bring it on i say!

Hi I’m coming late to this discussion (a lot) I just wanted to say that my advisor from the CAB told me that if you’re unsuccessful initially with a PIP claim then ALWAYS challenge the decision. This man Stuart has been dealing with DWP claims for decades and he told me that a full 50% of appeals over PIP decisions are successful. This means there is a great chance you will overturn the original decision in your favour, so with nothing to lose just do it!