Step 5: If you are not happy with the decision ASKING FOR YOUR CLAIM TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN If your claim is turned down, you have one calendar month from the date of the decision in which to ask the DWP to look at their decision again. This is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. You can also ask for a mandatory reconsideration if: you are unhappy with the level of the benefit that you have been awarded (for example, if you are awarded the standard rate of the daily living component but believe you are entitled to the enhanced rate); or the period for which it has been granted. Be careful when you ask for a mandatory reconsideration, because the DWP will look at your whole award and they can take away any rate of PIP that you have already been granted. If you are in doubt, seek advice from a local advice centre, such as Citizens Advice or DIAL (see Further help and information). How to ask for a mandatory reconsideration To ask for a mandatory reconsideration, telephone the number on the decision letter. When you get through, you should do the following: 1 Request a mandatory reconsideration of the decision. Explain why you disagree with their decision simply at this stage, for example, believe that you have underestimated the effect of ‘I my disability and consequently underestimated the extent of my mobility problems and/or the difficulties I have in carrying out daily living activities. 2 Ask them to send you copies of all the evidence that was used in making their decision. 3 Ask them not to take any further action until you have had the chance to respond to that evidence. Put your request in writing as well and send it to the address on the decision letter. Keep a copy for yourself. If you have not received the evidence after two weeks, ring the DWP again to remind them to send it. When you do receive the evidence, you should have a better idea of why the decision was made. Building a case When you receive the evidence from the DWP, you will see that sometimes the only information used to make their decision was the information you gave on your How your disability affects you form. In most cases however, there will also be a report produced by the healthcare professional at the face-to-face consultation. Compare their report with what you explained on your form. Look for where a difference of opinion arises.
Step 5: If you are not happy with the decision ASKING FOR YOUR CLAIM TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN If your claim is turned down, you have one calendar month from the date of the decision in which to ask the DWP to look at their decision again. This is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. You can also ask for a mandatory reconsideration if: you are unhappy with the level of the benefit that you have been awarded (for example, if you are awarded the standard rate of the daily living component but believe you are entitled to the enhanced rate); or the period for which it has been granted. Be careful when you ask for a mandatory reconsideration, because the DWP will look at your whole award and they can take away any rate of PIP that you have already been granted. If you are in doubt, seek advice from a local advice centre, such as Citizens Advice or DIAL (see Further help and information). How to ask for a mandatory reconsideration To ask for a mandatory reconsideration, telephone the number on the decision letter. When you get through, you should do the following: 1 Request a mandatory reconsideration of the decision. Explain why you disagree with their decision simply at this stage, for example, ‘I believe that you have underestimated the effect of my disability and consequently underestimated the extent of my mobility problems and/or the difficulties I have in carrying out daily living activities. 2 Ask them to send you copies of all the evidence that was used in making their decision. 3 Ask them not to take any further action until you have had the chance to respond to that evidence. Put your request in writing as well and send it to the address on the decision letter. Keep a copy for yourself. If you have not received the evidence after two weeks, ring the DWP again to remind them to send it. When you do receive the evidence, you should have a better idea of why the decision was made. Building a case When you receive the evidence from the DWP, you will see that sometimes the only information used to make their decision was the information you gave on your How your disability affects you form. In most cases however, there will also be a report produced by the healthcare professional at the face-to-face consultation. Compare their report with what you explained on your form. Look for where a difference of opinion arises.
PIPGuidetoclaiming23June2016-1.docx