PIP claim form - deadline extension refused

W348

My mum phone the number on the form for me as I wanted to extend the deadline from 20 June to give me more time. I’ve had a difficult time go long over things and getting my answers typed out.

It’s almost done, I think I will be finished tonight and have my answers printed off.

The woman on the phone refused to give extension and confirmed the deadline was the 20th. It’s too close to get an extension.

My mum said the reason was due to gathering evidence but I don’t why she said that. I already have the fit note with diagnosis from my GP. I just wanted more time because it’s been difficult and taken me a long time to answer the questions.

With my anxiety I can’t talk on the phone though and have to hand notes at GP and Hospital appointments, but this is the reason why I want a paper-based assessment so I can have a voice and speak for myself and not have some stranger try and twist an answer from another family member.

I don’t know what to do now. I think I will have it all printed and ticked fhe form off tonight and write in the boxes to look at my included print-off answers. So it can be posted tomorrow morning.

Is there a next day service I can pay extra for or is that only for parcels? Is first class recorded delivery an option? I can also see the date they receive it?

What if it doesn’t get there in time… do I just lose the back pay but they will still process my claim?

poppy123456

Usually they will give an extra 14 days, it's never been an issue for me. I'd advise you to ring again and hopefully you'll speak to someone a little more helpful and they will extend it for you.

Just to add, you mention a "fit note" this refers to what was known as a sick note and those are not accepted as evidence for a PIP claim because PIP isn't about your ability to work.

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/877668#Comment_877668

I understand the situation regarding the fit/sick note but that’s my only recent notable evidence. It might not be acceptable but it at least has my GP mentioning severe anxiety which backs up the daily issues I mention in my form answers.

There’s not much I can do about a lack of evidence. I asked for a report weeks ago and the GP gave me that sick note and said that they usually contact directly if they want a report. I did email and ask again since but haven’t had a reply in over a week so have to just move forward and hope my own explanations will be enough.

I don’t know why they wouldn’t give me an extension, the front of the form says you can call to extend, it didn’t say anything about not being able to do this if you are close to your deadline. It’s worrying and, I think, unreasonable. I think they just exploited the fact that I couldn’t speak for myself. They have my email address if they want to communicate with me directly, but I have a feeling that they’re not interested in making things easier for me to cope with.

poppy123456

They very rarely contact anyone for any evidence so please don't except them to do that. A fit note isn't evidence so pointless sending that to be honest.

You can write a diary or ask someone that knows you well to write a supporting letter but make sure they include the descriptors that you think apply to you.

Have you included those real world examples I advised you about in your previous thread? See thread here.

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/118612/please-help-paper-based-assessment

For returning the form all you need is proof of posting, which is free from any post office. As long as you have proof that it's sent, it's all you need. In the meantime I'd advise you to ring again tomorrow and ask for that extension. Being close to the date you should return the form is irrelevant. Signed for, next day delivery doesn't mean it will arrive with DWP the next day.

WhatThe

Hi, it all sounds under control so good work! Never mind the rotter you spoke to because you do have enough time.

I would use Signed For so you can track the delivery and receipt of the forms and include the 'fit note' if that's evidence of your conditions, yes.

poppy123456

WhatThe, with all due respect a fit note will not be accepted for a PIP claim. A fit note is relevant for ESA or UC.

WhatThe

There's no harm in enclosing it as supporting evidence for a first claim is all I'm saying ☺️

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/877732#Comment_877732

Thank you, yes I have given many examples. I ended up paying for Next Day Special Delivery Guaranteed which is overly expensive, but I wanted to be sure it will get delivered before the 20th.

I get that the fit note may not be suitable but even so, if it will just be disregarded, I have included it just because it has comments from my GP on it. I’ve printed off emails I’ve sent too to give example of how I communicate.

I do worry that ai have gone into too much detail, and covered some humiliating issues. I was worried if I left things out and it doesn’t go my way then I would regret it, so I’ve just gone very detailed with it.

A little worried about printing my answers off as the front of the form does say to use a pen but from discussion in my other thread I understand this should be OK. I’ve just written in every box for them to please look at my printed answers. And obviously filled the rest of the form out as normal.

It should be collected this morning so just mulling over if I need to chuck anything else in.

poppy123456

Paying extra for next day delivery doesn't mean it will be delivered to DWP that day. It will be signed for by someone from Royal Mail sorting office, not someone from DWP itself. It's not treated as being delivered until it's added to the system, which can often take up to a couple of weeks. All mail going to DWP goes to a mail sorting office first.

I'd still advise you to ring them to ask for that extra time, just to be sure.

The whole point of the form is to give as much relevant information as possible, without telling your life story. It's only too much information if you haven't kept it relevant.

It will be fine to use a computer to type everything, this is what I always do and it's never been an issue for me.