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PIP review paperwork arrived

Biblioklept

Sorry this isn't my usual type of post and I don't know why I'm freaking out so bad about this PIP review but I really really am.

It's due back on 26th December, so already I'm worried about when exactly to send it as December post is awful, I think by 18th to be on the safe side but that gives me less than 2 weeks???

My last two awards were done paper-based, but each time they contacted my GP and specialists, one of my specialists told them to stop wasting their time and they wouldn't be filling anything out, and my GP and other specialist didn't respond at all.

If my GP had responded, I dont know what they would have said as I contact them so rarely and don't have basically anything in medical evidence. I've since been discharged from a few of my specialists due to 'failure to engage or attend appointments' so I have even less people to put down.

I think my conditions have also changed??? But in some ways I am far worse than before, but others better.

I just don't know how to approach it at all - my head is a total mess lately so this is the last thing I needed, and I really can't focus.

How do you get these forms done when your head is just so full and crazy?! AHHHHH

What date would others aim to return them given the Christmas post??? 26th is such a stupid date, there isn't even any post on 26th, or 25th!

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Comments

Morgan_Alumni

Good morning @Biblioklept

If you're concerned about sending the forms back in time, you may be able to request an extension.

Do you think you could explain on the forms how your condition(s) have changed? Sometimes, the most difficult part is getting started, but once you begin, you can find your rhythm.

Biblioklept

Than you @Morgan_Scope but I'm not able to call them so can't get an extension but that would be good advice for someone else!! I wish they would automatically see the sense in delaying returns for those due around Christmas, it's a stupid time with post delays and more post goes missing at Christmas than any other time of year!!

I know it's stupid and against advice but I'm really considering writing back that nothing has changed and I am not well enough or able to fill out the full form and let them make decision off that. What will be will be so to speak. I just think it's the best thing for me right now rather than trying to write it all out 😕

OverlyAnxious

I'd just try to get it in the post as soon as possible. Wouldn't try to add a deadline as that may just allow you to procrastinate while still worrying more and more about it.

I wouldn't usually advise this but maybe just focus on one or two questions where you should score very highly? For example, mixing with people must be 8 points…and that'll get you a standard DL award. Being unable to go out on the majority of days gets 10 points for a standard Mobility award. If you can focus on those two, it doesn't matter so much if you only write one or two lines for other questions. I really wouldn't just write 'no change' though.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but you can type the answers which allows infinite editing and can help manage the amount of time spent on it each day.

Morgan_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/950457#Comment_950457

Sorry, @Biblioklept, I shouldn’t assume everyone is able to call or has someone who can help. Have you ever considered using Relay? It might be another option.

I agree with what @OverlyAnxious and @Nashota - I wouldn’t recommend only putting ‘no change’. Sometimes, starting with the easier parts of the form, like your personal information, can help you get into the swing of it.

Is there a specific question or section that’s worrying you or that we could help with?

poppy123456

@Biblioklept I missed this earlier today and only just catching up. I knew you would panic about this because I had a feeling that the return date would be around Xmas time. I know how impossible it is for you to make calls too.

Having said that I'm with everyone else here and I think you should still treat it as a new claim. Please don't just write no change and no further information because this could be the worst thing for you.

I don't know if this will help but when I fill out these forms I usually try to do a little at a time. I always type the information and print it out because I find it so much easier. I put a small amount of info on the form, which also includes asking them to see further information.

I know some members will disagree with me here but medical evidence isn't a must. If you don't have anything, then you can't send it. Your real world examples are good enough, providing you go into enough of detailed information. I'm sure you've probably seen my advice on here so many times. ❤️

There's also another thought that's just crossed my mind. Do you know if you have a vulnerable marker on your file? I'm thinking you may have! If you do then returning the form on time isn't vital because they will allow you to be late. I've even known people not to return it at all and still have an assessment but I wouldn't advise not returning it at all because ideally you need that paper based assessment, right?

There's no doubt this whole process is extremely stressful but I know you can do it and if you need more advice you can just ask on here and someone will advise you. ❤️

Biblioklept

Thank you all ❤️

I got as far as taking the forms out of the envelope and stuffed them back in again 🤣 I'm going to try and do a section a day and see how it goes!

I'm not sure if I have a vulnerable marker @poppy123456, do you know how I would check that? I've always agreed with you about evidence as I've never really had any or sent any, and had paper-based but I still panic when it comes around 😅

OverlyAnxious

I suspect checking the vulnerable marker is the same as everything else…you have to be able to phone for it! 😑

My own PIP stopped while I was waiting for the review a couple of years ago, so I'm fairly sure I didn't have a vulnerable marker then, though I may do now. (A relative had to phone and get it reinstated in my case.)

poppy123456

Yes you would need to ring them, which I know you can't do.

Biblioklept

Thanks @OverlyAnxious! The sooner they get all of this online the better!! I didn't even think about the fact they could stop it during review, ugh. I don't know when my actual end date is either. Oops! I feel like the way my luck is going I'll get sent a WCA review soon too 😆

How are you getting on with your UC now? Even with the troubles I've had I still prefer it mostly because of being able to use the journal and manage it online!!

Biblioklept

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/951751#Comment_951751

Thanks anyway @poppy123456! I thought it would be that, was hoping maybe there'd be a code or something on my paperwork but they never make anything simple!

With my review is it worth me adding a letter asking them for a longer award?? Is that something they can consider?

poppy123456

You're welcome. Actually, do you have an assessment report from a previous PIP assessment?

It may give some indication on there towards the back of the report, it will say something along the lines of "Does the claimant need extra support with future claims" and if so the box will be ticked. Don't quote me on this though because I can't remember exactly what it says without digging for my daughters report right at the back of a cupboard 😂 I don't have the energy for that right now.

Yes, absolutely ask for a longer award and tell them why you think you should have this. Please make sure you explain that your conditions haven't improved (if they haven't) for X amount years and are not expected to.

I did that for my recent review and was awarded for 6 years, which is the longest award I've had since I started claiming PIP back in 2013.

vikingqueen

Hi @Biblioklept I had my pip renewed this year. I have a chronic illness that will never get any better. I asked them for a paper based review and a 10 year award. Not sure if the ongoing award is because I'll be getting my pension in a couple of years.

My reasoning is if you don't ask you don't get, they can only say no.

Good luck

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/951752#Comment_951752

In my case, PIP was stopped because they hadn't scanned the forms onto the system before the return date on the form. It wasn't the award end date that triggered it as that had already been extended.

I did ask for a longer award on the review form and that was taken into account. I think it's about 5 years this time. It's far enough away that I don't have to be thinking about it anyway! 😅

Regarding UC, I don't find it much better in all honesty. Half the messages I leave in the journal don't get replied to. The others tell me to phone for further assistance. And although it is easier to report changes in savings online, there's no easy way to calculate how much of it is still income rather than capital, and there isn't an easy way to deduct the COL payments either, although I've been informed that part should be changing very soon.

Sadly I didn't get the property I was looking at, so I'm still getting excess income which will see me lose UC altogether within a matter of months. And as I can't phone to get NS ESA before losing UC, will end up having to go through a brand new UC application and WCA when the savings drop again. And obviously get much less income that time without the Transitional Protection. So overall it was a waste of time and effort migrating in my case…but my case is pretty much unique, I can see why the UC online system is better for the majority of claimants.

Biblioklept

Soooo ummmm if for example I haven't sent my forms… or even done them, what happens? Will they stop payments immediately? I think my next payment is due 3rd or 10th Jan, I assume that won't get paid?

Biblioklept

Sorry about the house @OverlyAnxious 😓

Journal messages not getting replied to is quite common!! They don't make any of this easy do they?? Did you get all the savings stuff and ESA sorted?

Ray212

I know from your comments you cannot ring them but can anyone call on your behalf? I received my renewal forms last week and they are still in the folder on the side. Now turned upside down so I don't have to look at them everytime I go into the kitchen!

But I did call PIP and the lady I spoke to was very nice and extended my return date for 2 weeks. Also said if I needed longer just to ring up and they could extend again if needed.

I just don't know where to start with the review, I know what people have said but it just seems a massive task, going to get xmas out the way and give it a go then.

I can't answer your question Biblioklept but I am sure someone will be along shortly that can :)

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957739#Comment_957739

That is what happened to mine. Just stopped, and I also got a letter saying I hadn't returned the forms on time. (Although I had, they just hadn't processed them.)

But as Poppy says, you may have a vulnerable marker on your file, which should stop that happening.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957740#Comment_957740

Short answer is no. But don't get distracted by my situation, PIP forms should be the priority! 😬

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957739#Comment_957739

That will depend whether there’s a marker on your file. If there is your PIP should not stop if you don’t return them. If there isn’t then it could stop or be suspended at least. 😞

I see the forms have to be returned by 26th so they are unlikely to receive them now even if you just quickly wrote something on the forms.

I really do wish I had a solution for you but I’m sorry, I don’t. 😔

Biblioklept

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957760#Comment_957760

I don't have time now, even if I could write it all today, I'd have to post tomorrow and hope they arrive Tuesday, and get scanned on the same day as no post on 25th or 26th 😅 I feel too unwell so just giving up and will reapply in a few months or something.

Have ESA even responded to your bank statements??

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