PIP review now done. Same rates enhanced and enhanced but not an improvement on the time of award

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

I am very happy that the review is out of the way now, a text message came through to my mum‘s mobile phone is saying “Your PIP review is complete…” 

I wasn’t planning on waiting for the letter to come, so I rang up the phone line this morning and got the details. I stay on the enhanced rate for both components, but I would’ve liked to have seen an improvement on the length of award. They have given four years again, the same as last time. My mum is a bit disappointed with this she thinks I did deserve a bigger duration. I know, she knows, a lot of us know that autism doesn’t get better, but I won’t be the only one that keeps getting the same time duration. There will be so many of those out there. My award goes up to 2028. 

Maybe when the next review comes, the duration, will get better. We certainly won’t be appealing this decision though, we’re happy that I stay on the same rates, don’t want to risk losing everything. At least I stay on the same rates. 

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

It was a paper-based review. Didn’t need to have a telephone call with someone or have to seeing someone at a face to face meeting. I’ll just enjoy life for the next few years on the same rates, and when we cross that bridge again for next review, the time duration could well get better. I think there will be many out there who keep getting the same time duration despite them being the same.

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

Is it actually possible to appeal just the length of the award but not dispute anything to do with the rates? Absolutely happy with the enhanced rates for both components that’s what we wanted, but I’d have no clue if you could appeal the length of the award and not dispute the rates given. I’d  appreciate some input here, someone reply when possibl.

poppy123456

Yes, you can challenge the length of the award only. First step for this is to request the MR. You must make sure that you clearly state you're happy with the award itself and just challenging the length of the award. You need to tell them why you think you should have got a longer award.

If the MR decision doesn't change (most don't) you can then proceed to Tribunal. 

ncor

Great news you got awarded again.

Yes, you can definitely appeal just the award length only. 

I was in the same position as you, got awarded enhanced/enhanced for 3 years. I then done an MR, asking for a 10 year award, DWP changed the award length to 5 years. 

I then appeal to the tribunal and DWP cancelled the appeal after a month and awarded me enhanced/enhanced for 10 years. 

So it is possible, but as Poppy says, you need to make sure to tell them that you are happy with the rates awarded, but that you want to appeal the award length only!

Here are some useful posts of mine, that helped massively, with great advice from other members:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/82842/id-like-to-dispute-the-award-length-only-how-long-do-i-have-to-do-this#latest

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/107132/pip-form-advice#latest

Good luck!

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

We’re going to see first what the local benefits advisor/advisors say, best to get advice first and see if it’s worthwhile fighting the length of the award. 

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

We’re absolutely fine with the rates for both components couldn’t be happier but just wish they had come to a better time duration, autism doesn’t get better. I’m severe on the spectrum. I think I was deserving of more time…

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

Hello again, 

We’ve decided that we won’t bother deciding to do any appeal to do with the time duration. I’ve seen plenty of sources that it can be done just appealing the time duration. However we had enough hassle waiting so long for them to come to the decision of 4 years and enhanced and enhanced. We were waiting for 10 months from May last year to now. It’s more hassle, on the balance of things, that we don’t really need. It’s not like time goes by too quickly, the years won’t go by quickly. We’ll just settle for the next few years and come to that bridge again when we come to it. Maybe next time the time duration will improve, it could well be improved on. We’ll probably get a doctor to do a detailed write-up on me, a letter. Until the next time, review, we will enjoy life. 

Sometimes you think to have to think you might get a better outcome by fighting it but it’s the hassle you have to go through to get to it, and like I said we had enough of it just waiting 10 months for them to come to the decision. 

I want to get to enjoy supporting my football team Huddersfield and going on my trains, I really enjoy my train rides. 

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

I will stay part of the forum of course I will it’s been good since I came onto it last year but we don’t want to go through more hassle to get to what we wanted really. Maybe next time that’ll happen, an improved time duration. 

ChrisSCOPEhtfc94

With my Autism I can really overthink everything can get on top of me, I want to just settle for the next few years until we get to that stage again and then it may well improve (time given).