Alcoholism, nil points & a late MR

Joy of joys.  Client is a severe alcoholic, been through rehab more than once, relapses straight away.  In addition to the immediate effects of alcohol consumption, he has DTs, agoraphobia, and polyarthralgia (multiple & non-fixed joint pain) meaning he does very little except, well, sit & drink.

Attended the PIP assessment, the nurse said “You’ve got liver disease haven’t you?” and ignored the info on the form & his information. Nil points awarded because “there is no reason why you cannot carry out tasks, you choose not to”.  Letter dated 9th Sept 14, but at least in part due to the above alcoholism has only just got in touch with me to ask for help.

What are my chances on getting a late mandy accepted?  And any helpful ideas?

Put it this way. I have people come to see me who had decisions months ago who have late recons accepted. Yours is about 2 weeks late, so, without jinxing it, chances are good.

Make sure you give reasons for lateness, starting with any health reasons and then any other reasons. Does his condition make it difficult to engage with support services? Did he have to wait to see someone? Is he literate?

The longer the elapsed time between the one month deadline and the time the request is lodged, the better the reasons have to be.

I don’t think I have ever had a request for a late recon/appeal refused. I had on one or two occasions DWP telling me it was outside the 13 month time limit, but I cleared those up quickly enough.

Memo DMG 20/13
MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION PRIOR TO APPEAL
AND DIRECT LODGEMENT OF APPEALS WITH HMCTS
para 6 appears to give good guidance and here is the link:

http://www.cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/Memo DMG 20-13.pdf