I hope this can help others suffering with anxiety waiting over a PIP claim

rj7

Hi everyone, I got the text today to say I've been awarded PIP, and wanted to share nmy timeline and experience, to hopefully alleviate any anxiety people nay be feeling over their PIP claim. For me, the while process was nerve wracking, and reading the million bad stories on here definitely didn't help. 

I felt it was impossible for me to get it as I sent in no supporting evidence whatsoever. They relied entirely on the form and my telephone assessment. 

23rd May 2023

Applied for PIP over the phone. 

5th July 2023

Got a text to say they've recieved my PIP form. I only sent the form off a week before this, so it might have been even quicker, had I completed the form when I first got it. 

6th July

Message from Independent assessment services , to let me know they're handling my claim. 

15th August 

Message from IAS, booked me in for a telephone assessment on 29th August. 

29th August 

Phone assessment, the woman was really lovely  caring and understanding. She gave me time to think between questions and took her time with difficult ones. We were on the phone for over 2 hours 30 mins! 

4th September 

Text to from DWP to say they've receieved the written assessment report, and I'll get a decision within 8 weeks. 

6th September 

Finally, today, the award text. I was so shocked I nearly spat out my morning coffee. Rang the helpline to see my award and when I'll be paid, they told me enhanced daily living and standard mobility until 2027. I'm very happy with that. They said I should be paid my backpay on 12th September. Should be £1700 and something. 

Please bare in mind that this won't be the case for everybody

Everyone gets different assessors, decision makers etc. Some claims may be quicker and some take much longer. This is more to give a general picture for people to go from, and to reiterate that the supporting evidence really isn't the most important thing. 

Nuttymoo1966

rj7  thats really good to hear . Congratulations Unfortunately i am still waiting for a decision after returning my review form last October 2022. I had my assessment on 14thh August and like you felt the assessor understood me and listened to me. I received my copy of the assessors report on 25th August and have yet to receive a decison.The report was in my favour of enhanced for both but still nothing further in terms of a decision.I rang today as i need to apply for my blue badge ad my council wont accept the assessors report as evidence and they told me i just had to wait   this is very frustrating and unfair as we are alll being penalised by the backlog . Glad you had a positive experience tho 

Albus_Scope

Heya @rj7, I just wanted to say (a very late) welcome to the community and thank you so much for sharing your journey!  It's often really helpful for others to see a full timeline, it can help a tonne with the old anxiety of worrying if they've forgotten about you.  

and secondly, HUGE congratulations for being awarded PIP, how are you feeling now with all that out of the way?  

2oldcodgers

rj7 said:

 to reiterate that the supporting evidence really isn't the most important thing. 

Yes, what is important is a properly, factual and comprehensively completed claim form and to ensure that you make it clear to the assessor exactly how your disability affects you.