At Golden Shield Consumer Services, we’re seeing an increasing number of clients unfairly refused Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – especially when applying due to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder or OCD. Here are some key facts that might surprise you:
Over 80% of initial PIP claims for mental health conditions are either refused or awarded lower than expected. Mental health is still under-recognised and poorly understood in many assessment decisions.
Nearly 70% of Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) still result in the same refusal. The DWP rarely changes its mind at this stage – and the process is often handled by someone who wasn’t involved in the original decision but simply reads the same paperwork.
Medical records are NOT routinely requested during assessments. Many decisions are made without any input from your GP, mental health team, or any other specialist.
There’s a noticeable bias towards physical disabilities. Conditions that can’t be seen, measured or tested with equipment are often downplayed – despite the devastating daily impact on people’s lives.
A proper Mandatory Reconsideration should:
Consider new evidence or clarification
Take into account fluctuating conditions and their worst effects
Apply all the correct descriptors (e.g. needing prompting, risk of harm, psychological distress)
Evaluate whether support is needed to safely complete activities – not just whether someone can do them.
If you appeal to a Tribunal, around 70% of cases are successful. This is because independent panels (which include a medical professional and a judge) look at your case properly, including any new evidence
⚠️ Don’t Give Up
If your PIP claim has been refused, especially on mental health grounds, don’t assume the DWP is right. Many people wrongly give up at the first hurdle. That’s where we come in.
👉 Get a free case review today at
https://goldenshieldservices.co.uk/free-case-review
📞 We can help you understand where your claim went wrong and what you need to do to turn it around – whether that’s strengthening your evidence, clarifying the impact on your daily life, or preparing for a Tribunal.
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