Pip review

sleepygirlxox

Hi there. 

My pip was due for renewal October 2023, I got my renewal paperwork March 2023, which I sent off and they received back March 2023. I have had a number of texts saying they have got it and are looking into it.

I got a letter from pip in November to say my pip has been extended until October 2024 whilst they do the renewal.

i called pip a couple of weeks before Christmas to ask for an update and the guy said to me it should be done in a couple of weeks time, then said if things haven’t changed you shouldn’t need a assessment.

fast forward to now, 18th January 2024. I have had a text from the independent assessment services saying they are managing my pip assessment and that they will look at the available evidence and will contact me with an appointment if they need to have a consultation with me.

what’s peoples experience with this?

Background info:
I have narcolepsy so it’s a neurological condition. I had to fight to get my pip award. I was taking it to a tribunal but DWP called me to offer me enhanced mobility before I got given a date.

thank you in advance guys!!

poppy123456

The majority of people have assessments, even if there's been no changes. Most of them are by telephone, some are face to face or video. Please also remember that when ringing any DWP department you're speaking to someone from a call centre. Not the best place to ring to ask for any advice to be honest.

If an assessment is needed you will be contacted.

Jimm_Alumni

As Poppy says most reviews have some sort of assessment @sleepygirlxox. I'm sorry the person on the phone suggested otherwise. It's quite rare for no assessment to be done. Reviews also have MRs and tribunals available! I know it's probably a worrying prospect, but we're here to help whatever happens  

sleepygirlxox

do you know how long I could be waiting now to hear anything?

poppy123456

There's very long delays with reviews and some are waiting more than a year after returning their form.

sleepygirlxox

I returned my form in March 2023 

poppy123456

Yes, i seen that in your first comment. Unfortunately, there's nothing more you can do but wait. Many other people are in the same boat.

sleepygirlxox

Just wanted to give you all an update. I am so stressed and upset by all the mess around I have had with this!!

I had a telephone assessment booked for 12/03/2024 at 9.30am. I was all prepared for this, they called at 9.45am to say my assessment has been cancelled due to the woman doing it had called in sick. This was then rearranged to 27/03/2024 at 2.30pm.

on the 26/03/24 I had a call from the assessment centre to confirm my appointment, this put me at ease.

then on the 27/04/24 I had a call at 10.42am by the same lady from the day before asking if I was okay to have someone listening into the call for training as the woman doing my assessment was a mentor. I said yes because I thought it should make it more of a fair assessment for me.

i then had a phone call at 1pm (1 hour before my assessment time) to say my assessment has been cancelled because the lady doing it had to take emergency leave of absence, and there was no one else to take on my case and do my assessment. I explained this is the second time it has happy and it’s causing me so much stress. The woman apologised and rebooked it for 15/04/2024 at 9am. 

I then fell asleep, probably due to the stress of it all and the fact I have narcolepsy. I woke up to some missed calls from a withheld number but no voicemails so I presumed spam calls. Found it strange I never got a text from them to confirm my rebooked appointment. 

Then last night at 5.30pm I had a missed call from DWP, when googling the number it came up with the PIP decision makers. I couldn’t get through to PIP so I called the assessment centre, and they told me because I didn’t answer the phone for my telephone assessment it has been passed back to DWP. I explained that I had a phone call to say it’s been cancelled and the appointment had been rearrange, he said the woman I spoke to has left NO NOTES about this! Made me look like a liar. 

I am now panicking I am going to lose my pip because of all this mess around. I didn’t sleep last night because of the stress of it all. I have been on hold to PIP for 45 minutes trying to get through to see what’s happening.

just needed to rant and get it all off my chest.

Albus_Scope

I'm so sorry this is stressing you out so much @sleepygirlxox but I can totally relate, so rant away whenever you need to. 
 Have you managed to get through to anyone yet?  That hold music is enough to get people panicking at the best of times. 

Ramonica

Oh dear, that is horrible to say the least. Please try to keep calm, they are at fault, but just try to put this back on track. Please let us know how it went. Best wishes all goes well for you.

poppy123456

Have you rang PIP back? If not then you will need to do this. Explain what happened and hopefully they will return your file back to the assessment providers. 

starrkazza

my review was supposed to be Nov 24 but was extended to November 25. Received a text saying you are still in review and might need an assessment (two weeks ago) Had a text this morning saying that they have reviewed me and made a decision and will hear back with a letter in two weeks, I didn’t do call/ video/ visit, nothing. Am I to be worried about this?

poppy123456

You’ve had a paper based assessment. They do these when there’s enough of information not to need an assessment.

You can ring PIP to ask what the decision was and they will tell you. Yes the text says not to ring them but it doesn’t mean you can’t.

Albus_Scope

Heya @starrkazza and welcome to the community. 😊

As Poppy has said, there's nothing to worry about here, it just means they feel they have all the information they need to make a decision, so they didn't have to pester you. Fingers crossed for a positive decision. 😁