PIP review

ZodiacKnight

Good morning everyone, I’m new here. I recently had a reassessment for PIP. The reassessment was requested in January, by myself after a severe mental health breakdown. 

I sent some evidence with form then was called for an assessment. My assessor this time was really respectful and helpful (totally unusual, I’ve had some shocking ones before) and she really went out of her way to help me. She even contacted my doctor after my assessment saying she was worried about me. It lasted nearly two hours. And I’ve read the report - it’s totally in sharp contrast to my last assessment report. It’s like they’re talking about two different people 

anyways I’ve had the award notice and this one raises more questions than answers. I’m confused because the case manager has increased the points on mixing with people - but the effective date of that has been put as 18th June 2023, and not the date I reported the change. I was of the understanding that any change should apply from the date I reported it? They also say on the decision notes they’ve increased the award length - but it’s the same amount of time as my last one. 

One other big point of dispute for me is that they accept I need help from another person with taking medicine, preparing food, mixing with people, washing, dressing, and making budgeting decisions. But on mobility (planning and following a journey), they’ve decided I don’t need any help from another person. Bizarre in my opinion and totally not true. On one side they acknowledge a deterioration in mixing with people - they’ve changed it to “needs a trained professional to mix with people” - but then they say “no deterioration in planning and following a journey” - it seems deeply contradictory, saying I need a trained professional present to mix with others but don’t need any help from another making the journey to said appointment/meeting

I’m currently gathering more evidence to try challenge it. So sick and tired of these processes though I’ve had four tribunals in total sorry for my long post I just wondered if there’s any advice anyone could give me please

lydia5683

Hi, its good to see you have got most of the correct award. I myself felt very worried appealing my decision but it was easier than expected as most people win their appeal overall.

I would advise using the benefits and work guidance, you pay once and can download it so you dont need to pay each year.

Ask for a paper based assessment and include as much evidence as possible as during phone assessments they often rush and it isn't detailed enough and assumptions are made which has happened to me. If they refuse get your mp involved which has worked for me.

You can appeal the award length and the issue with backdating , just explain that you have a long term disability if this is true and it will be unlikely to change soon.

Finally, ask your care coordinator if you have one or nurse to write a supporting letter for free or ask for copies of favourable past letters from the mental health team. This isnt absolutely necessary as many have won tribunals without supporting evidence but with clear, detailed explanation from themselves.

Good luck and dont get deterred by a possibly failed mrn!

shellbell20

ZodiacKnight said:

Good morning everyone, I’m new here. I recently had a reassessment for PIP. The reassessment was requested in January, by myself after a severe mental health breakdown. 

I sent some evidence with form then was called for an assessment. My assessor this time was really respectful and helpful (totally unusual, I’ve had some shocking ones before) and she really went out of her way to help me. She even contacted my doctor after my assessment saying she was worried about me. It lasted nearly two hours. And I’ve read the report - it’s totally in sharp contrast to my last assessment report. It’s like they’re talking about two different people 

anyways I’ve had the award notice and this one raises more questions than answers. I’m confused because the case manager has increased the points on mixing with people - but the effective date of that has been put as 18th June 2023, and not the date I reported the change. I was of the understanding that any change should apply from the date I reported it? They also say on the decision notes they’ve increased the award length - but it’s the same amount of time as my last one. 

One other big point of dispute for me is that they accept I need help from another person with taking medicine, preparing food, mixing with people, washing, dressing, and making budgeting decisions. But on mobility (planning and following a journey), they’ve decided I don’t need any help from another person. Bizarre in my opinion and totally not true. On one side they acknowledge a deterioration in mixing with people - they’ve changed it to “needs a trained professional to mix with people” - but then they say “no deterioration in planning and following a journey” - it seems deeply contradictory, saying I need a trained professional present to mix with others but don’t need any help from another making the journey to said appointment/meeting

I’m currently gathering more evidence to try challenge it. So sick and tired of these processes though I’ve had four tribunals in total sorry for my long post I just wondered if there’s any advice anyone could give me please

I have just told them of a change in circumstances, my MH and my Meneires disease have deteriorated since a year ago. When I plucked up the courage to ring them about a change of address and I mentioned my deterioration, they said that they would send out a form I was advised the form is not as extensive as the new claim form, you're just simply adding to it.

  I know how you feel about getting out and about. I can't even register with a doctor since I moved in April. I will have to wait for my family to come over and take me, as I can't do it alone and even then I know I will start to have a panic attack as I did the last time I saw my doctor in person 2 years ago.  I can't even go online and order a repeat prescription as that causes an attack. In the past, I  have had to advise my counsellor and subsequently, my psychologist about my fear to order a repeat prescription, they have then had to reach out to my doctors and ask my doctor to ring me, just so I can get my anti-depressants and that is how my life is at the moment.

The thought of venturing outside fills me with dread and I can't really do that anymore without someone accompanying me and that is a rare thing. However, a professional?  If they say a professional to me, well I don't have one and surely if I did wouldn't that add to costs?  My PIP goes on lifts to stay with my family when I am not coping, not eating and when I am so depressed I need someone there with me 24 hours, it also goes on online shopping for the basics, such as food and the extra cost of heating my home as I don't go out,  but to pay a professional would be out of my price range. What is a professional?  I have no idea.

Anyway, I hope you appealed and it was found in your favour. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. How long does a change of circumstances take before you get an assessment, is it true that the form is shorter than if it was a new application?  It's all new to me and I am filled with trepidation, it's just another thing that gives me panic attacks.

poppy123456

shellbell20 said:

  they said that they would send out a form I was advised the form is not as extensive as the new claim form, you're just simply adding to it.

That's not correct. Usually when reporting a change of health condition you're sent the PIP2 form (the long one) again. The shorter form is usually for reviews started by DWP.

Timescales for change of circumstances could be as long as several months, potentially longer. Another assessment is most likely because most people have them.

shellbell20

poppy123456 said:

shellbell20 said:

  they said that they would send out a form I was advised the form is not as extensive as the new claim form, you're just simply adding to it.

That's not correct. Usually when reporting a change of health condition you're sent the PIP2 form (the long one) again. The shorter form is usually for reviews started by DWP.

Timescales for change of circumstances could be as long as several months, potentially longer. Another assessment is most likely because most people have them.

Thank you, Poppy, glad I checked on this forum as I would have been quite shocked to receive a long form and then I would have had to ring them up to check it was the correct form and waited an hour to speak with them, delaying me from filling in the form. It's been two weeks since I rang them up initially for a form and I rang back today to see if it had gone to my old address but was advised that this isn't the case as UC had already informed them of my change of address in April, that was one of the reasons I rang them up two weeks ago. I am prepared for a long wait and an assessment, but the last assessment I found horrendous, I might ask them for a paper-based decision if they have that facility to offer. I don't know what to do for the best really as paper-based assessments probably don't paint the whole picture.  

Also, I feel that this forum might benefit from a spreadsheet of people's experiences and timelines, just a suggestion but one that might help people through the minefield of what they might expect, although I know there are different waiting times, would be fascinating to know whether the waiting times are in different areas of the country, outcomes etc.  Like I said though just a thought.