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PIP condition backdating

Adam3411

Hello all,

I am writing on behalf of a young family member who was diagnosed with a serious metal health condition around 1 year ago.

The condition developed rapidly, eventually overwhelming her and severely affecting the stability of our whole family.

Approximately 3/4 months after the condition had developed, we made a notification over the telephone to the DWP and registered a PIP claim.

After the notification was made, we pretty much forgot about the claim, as the family was still overwhelmed with dealing with the condition.

We have now decided to complete the claim (PIP2), as the family member has since somewhat stabilized with medication and external support and we can focus on rebuilding her life.

The question is, how do we now approach the "how does this condition affect you" part?

As mentioned it has been around 1 year since the condition had first materialized. For most of the years initial stages, the condition was extremely severe, although now there is some stability.

How do we describe severity and the effects of the condition? i.e. Is from the time of first notification, or recent?

The condition is long term and requires ongoing care.

Thank you in advance.

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Comments

Kimi87

I would talk to a trained benefits advisor, they are experts at knowing what to include, and what language to use.

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

Adam3411

Thank you for your response. I will try to look into more specialist advice if possible, but as you may be aware it's very difficult to get appointments, due to pressure on the limited number of advisors available.

In the meantine, I would still be most grateful if someone could help with a generalised answer to my question. This will help me with my evidence preparation.

Thank you.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

If this is a new claim, then the assessment will be made based on the conditions right now.

If they had already been assessed once, and were refused and are now appealing, then the appeal is based on the conditions at the time of the previous assessment.

Adam3411

Hello, thank you for your response.

It is a new claim and she has never yet been assessed.

As mentioned, the claim was opened/registered around 1 year ago on telephone. Since then, the PIP2 was not yet completed, although the claim remains open. And as mentioned, her conditioned has improved from the severity at the time of notification (over the telephone).

So just to to clarify, when describing "how her condition affects her"... is it ok to discuss if from the time of notification (these were her "worst days", or is it how she is now (1 year later).

I hope that makes sense.

Trevor_PIP

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1067553#Comment_1067553

If you did not fill out the PIP2 form and send it back when you first applied a year ago, your claim would end. How does the claim remain open? I would check this. You will have to fill out the PIP2 on how her condition is now as this is a new claim.

Adam3411

Hello Trevor,

It certainly is still open.

They were also checking ID documents, which also took a long while to complete for some reason.

But in any case, the claim is open.

And you mentioned I would have to fill out the form on how she is now...

So the question is, When is "the now"?:

Is it the last few recent months?

Is it a few months near at the beginning, when the claim was first opened?

Or is it now looking at how the condition affects her over a "range of over 1 year"...? Will this then also include mentioning the Worst days, as mentioned, when she first experienced the condition? Along with her current circumstances, which have become more stable since?

Again, I hope that makes sense.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1067553#Comment_1067553

She will be assessed on how the conditions are at the time of the assessment as she has never been assessed before.

They must have existed for at least 3 months, so it is perfectly acceptable to add some back story. However, they cannot give you a 'graded' award that changes over time. So saying they were worse before could actually go against her, presenting the idea that the conditions could still improve further in a fairly short time, and therefore recommending a reassessment in a shorter timescale than they might otherwise.

Also for reference, you should never write about 'worst days' for PIP. PIP is meant to be an average representation based on 50% of days.

Adam3411

Thank you Anxious.

I appreciate your input.

I think the back story would be relevant and unavoidable, due to the length of time involved since first reporting and also since the medical records go back to that time period.

I will also take note of the 50% average.

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