Pip Process

LH91

So, I needed somewhere to vent.

I applied for Pip in March 24, due to my seizures, manic depression, anxiety and insomnia. I then had a over the phone assesment the following May. I completed the assesment and was told by the assessor to expect a decision around the 12 week mark.

12 weeks later. Still no decision. OK maybe it's taking them a bit longer as I do have alot of things for them to look through.

At the 13 week mark I gave them a call to find out what was causing the delay. To which I was told they were awaiting a letter from my GP and it should be maximum 1/2 weeks for a decision. I called on the 14th week and the 15th week and was given other reasons for example.. there's a huge backlog, they will message the case worker to see what the hold up is, awaiting more information all the usual bull.

Well I am now into I think my 16th or 17th week of awaiting a decision (gets to a point where you forget to count). Gave them a call today (29/07/24) and was put through to a Case Manager (not my case manager but a case manager) for more information about the delay. Well guess what. The reason for the delay is that the case worker assigned to my case is quote "ON HOLIDAY". Trying to refrain from going absolutely berserk down the phone, I asked "surely if one case manager goes on holiday they hand over their workload to another colleague whilst they are away?", common sense right? But no. Not at the glorious DWP. Apparently if one case manager does alot of the legwork in regards to obtaining all the information, they aren't permitted to transfer the case.

My case manager isn't back from their holiday until next week! So there's another week wait.

The case manager then stated she would talk to her colleagues and give me a call back to see if there's anything they can do. Which is pretty daft to think they've got a case manager available to talk to me over the phone but not look at my case! But hey ho. More waiting. I for one am not expecting a call back and will be made to wait.

I have honestly had enough of this whole process.

Needhelpandadvice

Cold hard truth, you need to learn some patience. As long as you are getting money on ESA and can pay your bills then that is the main thing.

Sadly, they can take a long time, longer than they say. You are not the only person applying for PIP and yes they could be snowed under.

However, look on the bright side, you will have a lot of back pay if you are awarded PIP. The worse case scenario, is that you will have to do a mandatory reconsideration or even a tribunal, which will take even longer.

Try to stay positive, yes it is easy to say and harder to do, but you are not doing yourself any good by getting yourself worked up. Trust me, I know.

Take each day as it comes, as long as you wake up in the morning, that is the main thing, as it is going to be a really bad day when you don't.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @LH91, welcome to the community. I'm sorry you've been waiting so long for your PIP decision. It can be so difficult to relax with this hanging over your head and it's very frustrating when you keep getting fobbed off on the phone lines. Lots of our members have been through the process too so I'm sure you're not alone in how you're feeling about the whole thing.

We're always up for listening to a rant if you need to get things off your chest! Fingers crossed that it's not too much longer now. Hope the community can provide some much needed distraction while you wait for an update 😊