I am applying for PIP. So worried with what I am reading about the process

General health and lifestyle
1

I wonder if anyone can help please. I have sent forms back for transition from DLA to the dreaded PIP and wonder what the time scales are? they received forms on Friday just gone 25 Nov 2016. The irony is that my new car is waiting for me at the garage and Ive said to hold it as it is not worth me paying for it then losing it! I was on high rate DLA...such a cruel and horribly stressful thing the way this government have changed the rules! When they said indefiite DLA i thought at least it was one less thing to worry about...alas it was not meant to be for so many of us. I think it is sad the way people are too upset and stressed to apply for PIP and how so many are failing to get an award! And the lies being told on reports? How do the assessors get away with it? Surely it is illegal and fraudulent on the assessors part?

​Can I get help on the time scale from forms being received to the next stage please? Any good success stories? Or has everyone had a bad tme re applying for PIP?

​Thank you, I have so many diagnoses I seriously cant list them all and on 6 pages of repeat meds and see numberous amounts of specialists for nearly every body part!

​Thank you in advance

2

Hi Suzeelew can't help you with time frames I'm afraid I'm awaiting the call up for DLA to PIP assessment like you I am currently on indefinite DLA, my car is due to be swop in Feb and I haven't even looked at a new one just in case the letter comes.

Like you numerous conditions and 8 pages of prescriptions awaiting major operation on my shoulder but have no doubt that I will loose the PIP motability oddly enough although I've never asked for a review over the years in case I lose motability I suspect if now qualify for the care part.

Just wishing you good luck and will be watching your thread with interest!

3

Hi Suzeelew

From application to decision should take around 8 weeks but that is definitely NOT set in stone.

Not all assessments are bad I have been on several where the assessor has been very fair. That said I have also witnessed the other side where they have spent the entire session trying to trip the claimant up even though they state at the beginning that they won’t try to do that!

This is just my opinion but I honestly believe that the assessors make their minds up before they even see you. How you are treated depends on what you have written on the PIP2 form and how you have backed it up with evidence. That evidence also must include 'care evidence' not just diagnosis as the main point of PIP is to help towards personal care or mobility. So care plans/diaries, carer statements etc. are just as important (if not more) than a consultant report stating you suffer with a condition. But most important you MUST fit the descriptors.

Everything must be proven on the balance of probabilities and that is the bottom line. Just having an eight page repeat prescription note is no automatic route to PIP but it can play a contributing role in persuading the argument in your favour.

Also watch out for the ‘informal observations’ which can range from the way you walk, to how you look, the way you talk/communicate and the way you sit and rise from a chair. If you exhibit any contradictions to what has been written on your PIP2 form they will make a note of it and inform the DWP decision make and that will directly affect your chances of obtaining the benefit.

4

I found the experience harrowing, like you I was awarded DLA for an indefinite period, but this was 20 years ago, I no longer have any written proof, the paperwork was binned years ago. They ignored everything I said at the assessment and my car as been taken off me even though I am nearly 68 years old and no chance of replacing it. This was supposed to help working age people get back into employment, how does this work when your past retirement age?

5

I changed from DLA to PIP and it took four weeks from them receiving my forms to decision, I personally had no problem's.

6

Hi David sorry you had a bad experience with your change over, you say you do not have your paperwork from 20 years ago when you first claimed DLA, neither did I but I had all my up to date medical reports, xrays etc, could you not have put these forward instead?

7

Times can vary depending on where you live. I have read some really bad horror stories about PIP assessment but in all honesty i never had a problem and have had 2 assessments in the last 2 years. Both times the AP seemed very fair and extremely nice. Anthony has give you some very good advice. They will indeed watch you from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. On my report it even said what i was wearing, even my foot wear to my hair. I went into my handbag whilst i was there and even that was reported down.

8

Suzeelew you have had some excellent replies I would advise you to read them all several times!

9

Hi Suzeelew,

if you read Anthony and Pam's replies, you will be well informed, they are both very knowledgeable

 

Like you, I had an indefinite DLA award for MRC and HRM.  I was a nervous wreck when the letter arrived telling me that DLA was ending for people who were born after 8 April 1948  (I was born in May 1948) and that I would need to apply for PIP.  

Whilst waiting for the forms to arrive, I researched everything I could about PIP. I joined a couple of forums, like this one and read loads of information about PIP descriptors,  I didn't just tick the boxes on the PIP form, in fact I wrote beside each question: Please see separate notes provided and wrote in detail on each sheet of paper, how my problems affect my every day life, how it prevents me from doing things and the help I need to be able to function.  Just one example, was needing help to get dressed and undressed as I'm not able to raise my arms above shoulder level for more than a few seconds as it causes angina pains and if I don't stop, then I have been known to black out, or bend far enough forward to remove or put on certain items of clothing as it causes considerable pain and I have fallen a few times, so the risk is quite high. 

I didn't exaggerate the answers, but it is important to state the difficulties that you face. 

To be honest, I was really upset after completing the forms, which took almost 2 weeks to finish as it hurt my hands to type too much in one go.  I sat and read everything and felt horrified at needing that much help.  I have a really supportive hubby, but to need this much help now, I wondered what things would be like in another 5 years! 

My assessment was carried out by a lady doctor, who was very kind and seemed to understand my condition and said that she could not believe that I had been called on to have a face to face. She said she would inform the DWP that my condition would never get better, only worse as time went on.  About 4 days after the face to face, I sent for a copy of the assessment report and was pleased with the contents. 

From start to finish the process took about 8 weeks.  I  was very pleased with the award,  enhanced rate on both care and mobility, but naturally  I would like nothing better than to have my health back.

Please let us know how you get on. x  

10

Hi can I ask did you have any problem getting your assessment report before you got your decision, I am still waiting for mine even though I had my decision 2 weeks after my F2F

11

I had no problem getting the report. I rang and asked for it and within less than a week it arrived.   I was pleased it arrived so quickly,

 

12

He asked just after assessment and was told I couldn't have it before decision, I must admit it was the day after and then I forgot so asked for it last week, I only want it to see what was said LOL

13

Maybe it has to appear on computer or something before they can send it out,  mine arrived almost 3 weeks before the decision letter arrived.  It will make for interesting reading. lol

 

14

I had my decision nine weeks ago and still waiting for assessment paperwork, I was told it would be here last week, think I will ring them again as i think its good to see what they said, and to keep for future reference for next assessment.

15

Go for it x

16

I just rang and the lady was lovely but said it has been passed to be sent but could be another week, I will give them a couple more weeks, oh well I'm sure they will send it, eventually LOL

17

The DWP will not normally let you have the assessment report until after your decision has been made and notified to you.  The report contains the assessors' decision for each descriptor, but at this point there are no points allocated.  The DWP decision maker will use the report along with any other evidence to make the decision, so their reasoning is that the report alone may not fully reflect the final decision, and so they will usually make you wait until you have had your decision letter and are aware of the reasoning behind your award.  In practice I have seen very few decisions that have disagreed with the assessors' descriptor choices so I question the validity of this approach, but there we are.

One point people might find useful is that if you disagree with your decision and want to put in a mandatory reconsideration request, there is a procedure you should follow with the DWP to avoid any problems - as follows:

1. As soon as possible after you receive your decision letter you should ring the DWP and state that you disagree with your decision and would like to request a mandatory reconsideration.  State very clearly that you intend to put the request in writing along with supporting evidence, so you would like them not to make a decision until they receive your request letter.   This is important because the DWP also allow claimants to make their request over the phone, and if you don't state clearly that you intend to put it in writing they may go ahead and make a decision based on your phone call - in which case you are likely to end up with the same decision as you have not provided any further evidence.

2.  If you think you may need extra time to gather any further supporting evidence ask for an extension to the time limit. You have 28 days from the date on your decision letter to request a mandatory reconsideration, but the DWP will grant up to a further 4 weeks for you to get your case together - you MUST make it clear how long you are asking for and make every effort to get the request in as soon as you can.

3.  Ask them for a copy of EVERYTHING they have used to make your decision.  If you just ask for the assessors' report that is all you will get, but  if you have given contact details for other people involved with your care on your PIP2 form, the DWP may have obtained reports directly from them which you have not seen, and which may have had a bearing on your decision.  You need to see these to make sure the information contained in them is correct.

YoUr mandatory reconsideration request should be straight to the point in the areas in which you disagree.  Say what you disagree with and why, and correct any information you think is wrong on any of the documentation.  State what your actual abilities are in each area, as opposed to what the decision maker has said and try to stay on point.  The letter should be polite and none confrontational. However aggrieved you feel, you must not make accusations, be abusive or apportion blame, as this is your opportunity to have your say in why you think the decision is wrong so use it wisely - an inflammatory tone will get you nowhere. 

If at all possible get further evidence to support what you are saying.  The DWP will have used all the evidence you submitted for your original application so relying on that is likely to result in the same decision.  I recently handled a case where a GP report had been misinterpreted for the original decision.  The claimant went to see his GP and got a further statement which clarified the position and supported what he was saying in the mandatory reconsideration request.  His decision was overturned and he  got a higher award - had he merely pointed out the error and not had the GP herself clarify it, he would likely have ended up with the same decision and would have had to go to tribunal. It's definitely worth the effort to get the supporting evidence if you possibly can.

18

Good advice as usual Pam.  I think you will find that AlexandriaGizmo has received the decision.  

I received my report long before my decision and I know of several others on here who also received theirs.  Has the ruling been changed in the past couple of months I wonder.

19

Hi Pam, i know you say normally don't let people have the AP before a decision has been made. I have heard so many people say they've got this report and no decision yet. I also had my AP before a decision was made when i first claimed just over 2 years ago. The reason it took longer this time with my review is because my decision was made just 4 days after assessment.

20

Your right Sukes, I had my decision 9 weeks ago and was exactly what I expected so no disappointment there, just wanted to see what had been written about me, my assessor was a Dr and she was really knowledgeable about my condition and was here for about an hour and a half.

She did say that if I was granted it I would be reviewed about 12 months before it expired, I do find it strange that they grant you 3 years, your car is also 3 years but they assess you at 2 years, surely then they should just give you 2 years or do they not assess everyone at 2, the system baffles me.