From 0 Points to Enhanced Rate: Sarah's Fibromyalgia PIP Appeal
By the RightfulUK team • • 4 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
*Names changed for privacy. Story shared with permission.*
Sarah has fibromyalgia. Chronic pain. Crushing fatigue. Brain fog that makes simple tasks feel impossible.
The DWP gave her 0 points.
Six months later, she was awarded Enhanced Daily Living at tribunal. Here's how.
What Went Wrong Initially
Sarah's original form focused on her diagnosis. She wrote about fibromyalgia, the medical definition, her treatment, her doctors.
She didn't write enough about how it affects her daily life.
The assessor noted: - "Can prepare simple meals" - "Mobile around the house" - "Manages personal care independently"
None of this was true. But Sarah had described her BEST days, not her typical days.
The MR Letter
Sarah's Mandatory Reconsideration focused on the reliability test. For each activity, she explained:
Preparing food: "I cannot cook safely, I have left the hob on multiple times and burned a pan last month. I cannot do it repeatedly, after making one cup of tea exhausts me. It takes me 45 minutes to make toast."
Washing: "I cannot wash to an acceptable standard, I cannot reach my back or feet. I cannot do it safely, I have nearly fallen in the shower three times. I go days without washing because I'm too exhausted."
The MR was rejected. But that's normal.
The Tribunal
At tribunal, Sarah brought: - Her original form - Her MR letter - A witness statement from her husband - A letter from her GP - Her medication list
The panel asked her to describe a typical day. She said:
*"I wake up in pain. Getting out of bed takes 20 minutes because my joints are stiff. I might manage toast if my husband sets up the toaster. By 11am I need to lie down. I haven't cooked a proper meal in months. My husband does everything."*
The doctor on the panel asked: "What happens if you push through the fatigue?"
*"I crash. Last time I tried to do too much, I spent three days in bed unable to move."*
The Outcome
Enhanced Daily Living: 14 points
- Preparing food: 4 points (supervision needed) - Washing: 4 points (help needed) - Dressing: 2 points (needs to rest during) - Managing therapy: 2 points (prompting needed) - Engaging with others: 2 points (needs encouragement)
The panel said the original assessment had failed to apply the reliability test. Sarah could not do these activities safely, repeatedly, or in reasonable time.
What Made the Difference
1. Focusing on function, not diagnosis, how the condition affects daily life 2. Using the reliability test, explicitly saying "I cannot do this safely/repeatedly" 3. Specific examples, dates, incidents, consequences 4. Witness statement, husband's daily observations 5. Describing the majority of days, not best days
Related Articles
- Can You Get PIP for Fibromyalgia? Full Guide — 5 min read
- Got 0 Points on PIP? Here's What Went Wrong (And How to Fix It) — 4 min read
- PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide) — 4 min read
- How to Write a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Letter That Works — 6 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition