You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration over the phone, but you should confirm your request in writing. Write to the office address on the decision letter and keep a copy of your request. You can also ask for a mandatory reconsideration using form CRMR1
When you ask for a mandatory reconsideration, you should explain why you think the decision is wrong. If you can, get evidence to back up your argument.
In the case of benefits paid because of your disability or health condition, such as personal independence payment (PIP) or employment and support allowance, you will need to see the evidence that was used in making the decision before you can properly argue your case. In this case, write to the address (or ring the number) on the decision letter and do the following:
Request a mandatory reconsideration of the decision. State your grounds simply at this stage, such as (for PIP), ‘I believe that you have underestimated the degree of my disability and consequently underestimated the extent of my mobility problems and/or the difficulties I have in carrying out daily living activities’;
Ask them to send you copies of all the evidence that was used in making the decision; and
Ask them not to take any further action until you have had the chance of responding to that evidence.
When you do receive the evidence, you should have a better idea of why the decision was made. This will help you frame your argument and build up evidence to support your case.
Everyday after an acquired brain injury is critical to the rehabilitation process and delays mean loss of valuable skills and abilities that may never be restored. The ABICo will, where possible and appropriate, give support, information, as well as coordinate the needs of the patient and his/her relatives, as appropriate. The aim of this post is for the ABIco, families and the injured patient to work towards a set of shared goals, which are identified by their professional team or from the ABICo’s initial assessment. The ABICo will assist, as necessary, with communication and liaison between Therapists, Social Services, PCT’s, Medical Practitioners, The Public Guardianship Offices, Solicitors and Benefits Agency. Furthermore the post will maintain a rapport with the families and give them support and information as required, therefore relieving them from the enormous strain that acquired brain injury brings. The post of ABICo allows victims and relatives a “one communication channel” for all the necessary care needs and information, rather than the perhaps having to researching it for themselves and having to deal with a number of different organisations. The ABICo will have the resources and contacts to cover most of the relatives needs. The support regime will be monitored on a regular basis and changes in the client’s situation will determine the need to revise the support regime goals. The expected outcomes of the project-
To help more people with acquired brain injury to achieve the best personal outcomes.
Total family involvement, support and advice given to families
Patients and families directly and actively being approached by our service
Additional supported interdisciplinary relationships between heath and social care professionals.
This is a unique post which is in the process of being developed by the Charity. The results of our research to date prove that this is a much needed service, since many patients and relatives are often not actively directed to the potential care and support, with families inadvertently left to organise it themselves in Southampton. This is supported by the following quote from a family whom The Wayne Howard Trust has previously helped – “We believe that, had we had been allocated someone, such as an ABI Coordinator, our burden would not only have been much easier to bear but our isolation and fear would have been lessened, thereby giving us more strength to deal with the trauma.”
