Challenging a PIP Decision: Farid’s Story
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is an essential income for many. Enabling those living with disabilities or long-term health conditions to live independent lives, able to meet their living needs, access employment and be contributing members of their local community. Farid’s story demonstrates how PIP can be a lifeline.
When the Points Don’t Add Up
In February 2025, Farid, an Afghan national and leg amputee, who was living alone, applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to meet his essential daily needs. Upon receiving a decision from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), he discovered that he had only been awarded the mobility component of PIP, scoring too low on the daily living component to receive this funding. He felt that the score did not accurately reflect the extent that his disability impacted his daily life. Consequently, he approached The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) for help to request a reconsideration of the decision.
Farid, explained his situation and disabilities to a highly qualified RMC advisor, emphasising how the initial PIP decision did not reflect his daily challenges. Farid detailed the struggles he faced with everyday activities, including “preparing food,” “managing treatments,” “washing and bathing,” and his ability to “communicate,” all activities he deemed insufficiently scored during his initial assessment.
He explained that he relies on crutches and cannot stand for long stretches of time, significantly impairing his ability to cook meals independently, thus impacting his ability to meet his living needs without assistance. Additionally, he described difficulties in consistently remembering to take his medication. Farid also spoke about his reliance on a friend who assisted him with bathing twice weekly and helped him dress, tasks he emphasised were impossible without help. Under the “communication” category, he was awarded zero points, despite Farid explaining that he experiences cognitive effects and anxiety linked to his medication that significantly affect his ability to interact with others.
Appealing the decision
The RMC advisor supported Farid in submitting a detailed mandatory reconsideration request, describing the full extent of his needs and including supporting medical evidence. This intervention was crucial in helping Farid access the support he is entitled to. While he has not yet received a decision on his reconsideration, the RMC advisor believes there is a strong case for a positive outcome due to the detailed and robust evidence submitted.
In the year to October 2024 22% of mandatory reconsiderations for PIP cases resulted in a change of award, highlighting how difficult it can be to successfully challenge a decision. That is why RMC’s support in providing detailed evidence and guidance is so important for individuals like Farid. If Farid’s reconsideration request is unsuccessful, the next step is appeal, which RMC is able to signpost Farid for support with. Success rate at time of appeal after receiving a decision for the mandatory reconsideration is much higher, with 24% of appeals lodged between July 2019 and Jun 2024 being “lapsed” (which is where DWP changed the decision in the customer’s favour after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at tribunal) and 68% of those being presented at tribunal receiving a decision from DWP revised in favor of the customer. This case study demonstrates how procedural support can significantly impact an individual’s ability to receive timely and necessary assistance- impacting their overall wellbeing.
Impact of PIP changes
The proposed changes to PIP assessments could have serious consequences for individuals like Farid, who, despite severe disabilities and struggles meeting his daily needs received lower scores during evaluations. His story shows existing inadequacies in the current PIP assessment process, highlighting concerns that raising eligibility thresholds may further hinder individuals like Farid from accessing essential support needed to lead dignified and independent lives.
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