How does the PIP Review process differ from the original PIP application?

IMStruggling

I'm in the process of a PIP Review now after previously having a 3 year PIP Award.  Previous to that I was on DLA but with a break in between where I applied for PIP from scratch.

My original PIP application was straightforward -- had assessment, assessment report was reasonably accurate, got awarded PIP.

With the Review process I'm confused.  Does the Health Professional doing the assessment actually read your medical evidence and form?  Do they also look at your original application and evidence?  The Review form asks you to say whether there have been any changes for you or not.  Thankfully I still wrote in detail how my conditions affect me rather than just writing "No changes."

But if someone did just write "No changes" -- I'm not clear on whether the Health Professional actually refers back to their original application.

As things stand I've been given an assessment appointment with just two days notice.  I don't see how that would necessarily give the Health Professional who's doing my assessment time to read through my original PIP application form, my PIP Review form and all the various medical evidence?  Do they in reality treat these Reviews as a totally new, fresh application?

poppy123456

All claims should be treated as new claims. When filling review forms you should never put “ no change” and nothing else. You should give as much information as possible, without telling your life story. 

You should also include a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Then you need to give detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. 

They may refer back to your previous assessment but not always. Yes, they should read your form and look at any extra evidence you send to support your claim before the assessment. They would need to do this to determine whether an assessment is needed anyway. 

The reason they gave you an appointment with such short notice is because you rang to ask them when an assessment would take place. They had free slots so booked you in, which you agreed to. 

If you kept a copy of the form you returned then have a read of that before the assessment. During the assessment try not to answer any questions with just a yes or no. Go into as much detail as possible. The assessment can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, sometimes longer. 

Once the report is written and returned to DWP a decision can take up to 12 weeks.