DWP-PIP - No understanding of new immunotherapy practices

Pirateblue45_

I have recently had a new assessment by PIP and have now lost £200.00 per month!! this is very frustrating and now it has put me in a financial predicament -i have obviously appealed the decision. CART therapy saved my life as i was 6 weeks from death..but it does come with possible side effects..which has hit me pretty hard over the last 3 years..im still under haemotology,neurology-ENT-optimology and have IVIG treatments once a month due to having no immune system..
Has anyone else been frustrated with the current PIP assessment system?

L_Volunteer

Hey @Pirateblue45_. A warm welcome to Scope's forum from me. Thank you for already finding the courage to reach out to us. I appreciate the courage this can take, especially as you are new and finding things difficult.

I am sure you will see, over time, there are lots of our community members who are or have been frustrated with the current PIP assessment system and other benefits. It tends to reflect the system, more than it reflects you. 

Do you know why you lost £200 per month based on your new assessment? This does sound frustrating to you, especially as you were receiving more money prior to your most recent assessment. This is a change in circumstances no one wants - especially during these trying times.

We are wishing you the best of luck with the appeal. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you wish to talk about this further or if there's anything else we can do to support you 

bg844

L_Volunteer said:

Do you know why you lost £200 per month based on your new assessment? This does sound frustrating to you, especially as you were receiving more money prior to your most recent assessment.

This will be due to a Case Manager deciding that OP no longer meets the points for a higher award, nothing else. PIP is a points based award.

MW123

Hello Pirateblue45

In March 2022, I was sent a Personal Independence Payment review form but that review has not been reviewed yet. 15 months on I am worried that when they eventually assess my form, I might lose my current award of the lower daily disability rate that I presently receive. While completing the form, I indicated "no change since last reported" for certain questions and only provided updates in the sections that had actually changed. However, after reading advice from the community regarding filling out the review form, I don't believe the information I provided in the updated sections will be enough to earn me more points or maintain my current award.

Pirateblue45 It is important to note that assessors are not knowledgeable in every medical aspect that is not their role.   During my last review in 2020, I had a telephone assessment with a psychiatric nurse who had no understanding of my specific medical conditions because they were not trained in that particular medical area. I now realize that the focus of the assessment is on how my medical conditions impact my day-to-day life, not on diagnosis, medication or medical treatments. 

After reflecting on the last completed review form I sent, it feels as if I sat for an exam and performed poorly. Nonetheless, I may be looking at reapplying for PIP all over again if my review fails.  I am uncertain about requesting a mandatory reconsideration if my own responses lead to the loss of my current award.

Adrian_Scope

If you've not had your review assessment yet @MW123, you can always send in more information if you felt that appropriate.
For balance, while it isn't always recommended to simply write 'no change', I do know many who have taken this approach and still continued to be awarded at review. 

How are you doing @Pirateblue45_?