Finally Some PIP Progress

OverlyAnxious · January 2023

Hi,

Long time members may remember I submitted PIP review forms back in August 2021. (Nearly 18 months ago)

Last night I had a text from IAS to say they're dealing with the claim. I assume that means the paperwork has finally reached the assessor!

I can no longer speak or drive/travel at all, so won't be able to complete an assessment if required. I am hoping for a paper based decision.

If I lose the current award (Enhanced Daily only) I don't think I'll be appealing it due to the current state of my health and the accessibility issues caused by not being able to speak or travel. There is no-one else who knows my situation well enough to be an appointee either.

Thanks

Lou67 · January 2023

@OverlyAnxious

Im so sorry you won’t be able to do an assessment, I really hope you can get a paper based assessment.Fingers crossed for you.

Good luck and take care.

poppy123456 · January 2023

Yes, i remember your extremely long wait! I also remember giving you some advice for your current award when you took it to Tribunal.

You can contact the health assessment providers by email to request a paper based assessment and explain the reasons why any other assessments just won't be possible.

OverlyAnxious · January 2023

poppy123456 said:

Yes, i remember your extremely long wait! I also remember giving you some advice for your current award when you took it to Tribunal.

You can contact the health assessment providers by email to request a paper based assessment and explain the reasons why any other assessments just won't be possible.

Thanks Poppy, you did indeed offer good advice for my current awards tribunal.

I have wondered if I win the award for longest review wait on here right now... Can anyone beat 18 months?

Emailing the health assessment provider is a possibility from a practical point of view. However, I've had so many negative experiences with email over the last year that I can no longer send or receive those without triggering an anxiety attack. I'd rather wait and see if they do a paper assessment first.

poppy123456 · January 2023

There's one other member that briefly comes to mind but i'm not sure how long they've been waiting.

I hope for you that the correct award is given this time! Please do let us know when you do finally have the decision.

poppy123456 · January 2023

Biblioklept said:

That's why I only have a paper-based assessment report which is done by the decision maker, not anything from assessment company.

When a file is sent to the decision maker, if a decision can be made from there without the need to pass it to the health assessment providers then there will be no assessment report written. The decision maker will make their decision from your form, extra evidence and even previous assessment reports if needed.

This happened to myself and my daughter last year and no assessment reports were written for either of us.

OverlyAnxious · January 2023

Biblioklept said:

Did you spell it out for them on your forms or hope they understood and would come to that conclusion from what you'd explained as your difficulties?

Honestly, I can't really remember! I definitely wrote something about how difficult any assessment would be in the 'extra comments' section. Though I probably didn't specifically ask for paper based. Will just have to wait & see what happens now.

L_Volunteer · January 2023

Wishing you the best of luck @OverlyAnxious. Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to support you

OverlyAnxious · March 2023

**UPDATE March 24th**

Just got a text stating that DWP have received the HCP's report. Shouldn't be too much longer to wait now.

poppy123456 · March 2023

OverlyAnxious said:

**UPDATE March 24th**

Just got a text stating that DWP have received the HCP's report. Shouldn't be too much longer to wait now.

That's fantastic news, finally!! especially as no assessment was needed. Please do update us once the decision is made.

Alex_Alumni · March 2023

Great stuff @OverlyAnxious nearly there now

Keep us updated when you can, and all the best for a positive outcome!

OverlyAnxious · April 2023

**Final Update**

After 20 months, I have finally received the PIP review decision. It was paper based, with no further assessment needed.

I think they may have tried to call a couple of times (unknown number), but I can't answer the phone at all now.

I have continued to receive Enhanced Daily Living as before. But also gained Standard Mobility this time. I have received a lump sum back-payment for that.

As mentioned elsewhere on here, the extra money isn't much use to me now, and still no access to Motability scheme, but I am relieved to keep the daily living, which in turn allows me SDP, which then allows me the one-bedroom rate of housing benefit which I am reliant on.

As an added bonus, my request for a longer award was taken into account, and I now have over 5 years left on the new award. I am very pleased with the security that this brings, after being left in limbo for the last year and a half.

This specific standard Mobility award means I will be automatically eligible for a Blue Badge when mine expires. And also gives me a 50% reduction on car tax. I haven't been able to travel in any vehicle at all for around 18 months, but it's good to know those things will be there if I can start to travel occasionally again.

Will finish this post by saying thank you to everyone on here for all the support and help with understanding the descriptors more clearly.