Pip review form query

pinkrose

Hi everyone, i haven't been on her for a while as have been very unwell and had multiple surgeries.

Anylway My pip award is due to end in november....just had the review form arrive in the post.

Last time I sent a GP LETTER AND SUMMARY ....but on the review form this time it specifically states not to send a gp letter.

Im going to send a summary, prescription copies and I've listed my gp and multiple hospital consultant details with permission for all to be contacted.

Now, here is where I need advice....

Do I ask my gp for a letter and send it with the review form anyway ?

Or will that go against me ???....as it states not to send them.

The thing is I HAVE ALWAYS SENT A SUPPORTING LETTTER FROM MY GP WHEN DEALING WITH PIP . And last time was all decided by paperbased .

Would really love some advice and input on this.

I'm so stressed out.

SCecilia

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your distress. I would strongly recommend having someone from an organisation like Scope or the Citizens Advice Bureau to advocate on your behalf. These companies like DWP have targets to meet so they have to clamp down regardless of whether your in need or not hence why all the cutbacks. It tough but having someone stand with you to do this is your best shot. Good luck. X

pinkrose

Thanks so much SCecelia

Hopeless

If your GP will write a letter for free I would go for it but I’d be wary of paying for one. I say this because my GP told me that they’ve been told by Capita not to write them and they’ll be discarded if they do! So, it would be a waste of money in that case.

luvpink

@pinkrose

Hi

It won't go against you if you send a supporting letter in but I never have and I was awarded enhanced rates on both elements "ongoing for ten years" following a paper based assessment.

DWP advised my Doctor not issue letters because they don't take them into account and they are disregarded, hence why claim forms advise us not to send them.

Good luck with your assessment.

HighlandCoo

Hi

for me, if a document is supportive / relevant to how my health affects me in undertaking the assessed activities then I would send it in, but being sure it does not raise any contradictions because that is what they look for.

not sure what form says but worst they can do is ignore it (unless contradicts etc then they will take note).

Good Luck

pinkrose

Oh wow....never heard this. I think i might justbsend a summary and prescription copy then.

Nothing much has hanged and my illnesses are incurable, so they could refer to old evidence to correspond with my latest summary.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.

pinkrose

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1111900#Comment_1111900

Thanks Highland....

pinkrose

Thanks LUVPINK, SO PLEASED FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED...IVE HAD ENHANCED BOTH TIMES NOW, HOPING ALL GOES WELL THIS TIME.

HighlandCoo

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1111898#Comment_1111898

hi just wanting to understand, why do they disregard them? I've never got one of these letters myself mind.

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1111905#Comment_1111905

I'm not sure but the application form states not to submit them with your claim and my Doctor said the surgeries have been advised not to issue them.

Its about how our disability affects us and and whether we meet the pip criteria to qualify for awards.

@Kimi87

Please can you advise?

Thank you.

luvpink

@pinkrose

I hope you get the decision you are hoping for.

pinkrose

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1111926#Comment_1111926

Thanks luvpink, I've had an awful day and this kind comment has meant the world to me.

Santosha12

Hi @Pinkrose, I'm sorry you've been so unwell and really hope you're more stable now after your surgeries.

I very recently had a detailed assessment/advice from a specialist PIP advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau, it was supposed to be a 'quick' call but she went through the whole lot of Descriptors and gave very specific advice for c an hour.

The main 'takeaways' were NOT to do a summary but to complete it fully with how daily life and mobility is affected and the diagnoses I have, including repeating them throughout, if necessary, and of course, where they impact my life.

Importantly, I was advised to provide supporting letters, especially from professionals involved in my care - including medical care. So I'll provide supporting letters from several including dietician, physiotherapist, adult social care, psychotherapist.. the list goes on ! I'd also requested my GP notes up to Jan 2025, from Dec 2022 (when I'd fIrst applied for PIP) that's c 400 pages, and have subsequently requested from Jan 2025 to date which I'll get in the next month. I'll be discerning about what I send as I don't think they'd appreciate getting c 600 pages, nor would it be appropriate.

However. It's unlikely mine will be reviewed until after August 2026 so I've time. I would recommend you provide as full information as you can within the time you've got. Maybe consider requesting an extension to give yourself a bit more time (I don't know how long you have in a Review to complete it). Even some letters from consultants may help if you already have these depending what information they give (mine show, for instance, that surgery isn't an option for me and that my medication isn't working effectively).

Wishing you all the very best with it. Take care.

pinkrose

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1111973#Comment_1111973

Thankyou so somuch Santosha,

yes they already had medical supporting letters from the last 2 times of assessing and my illnesses are incurable.

I have completed the form and have been very explanatory as if it was a new claim.

When I say summary, i mean my gp to print out again all of my auto immune diseases and medications and updates etc.

And the fact that I'm currently awaiting more surgeries and on ongoing treatment.

Im Giving as much info as I possibly can, it's all so stressful.

My award ends in november, so hopefully I have time to add more info after my consultants appointments in the coming weeks.

However I have read on here that some reviews have been done within a couple of weeks, I ont mind that at all as long as I keep my awards at the end of it.

Thanks for taking the time to answer, really hope it all works out well for you.xxx

Santosha12

Thank you very much and you're so welcome @Pinkrose.

So sorry, my misunderstanding about what 'Summary' meant! I'm so glad, it sounds like you've already prepared comprehensively and are in good stead - even if the Review does occur sooner than November.

I wish I knew the art in being able to have less stress in the whole process but I don't: being as comprehensive though, hopefully, gives the very best shot and a fair outcome where you keep your award and, hopefully, for a long duration. I know that once I've prepared mine (maybe six weeks or so) I won't be dwelling on it then; my illness already takes so very much away I don't feel like giving power of my thoughts and feelings over to anybody else and compromising further, my already fragile health.

Very good luck with it Pinkrose and with your upcoming appointments and, especially, any surgery. Take good care of yourself xx

pinkrose

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1112283#Comment_1112283

Thankyou So much Santosha, I will also try not to dwell as that just adds to my health issues.

All we can do is submit as much relevant info as possible.

Good luck with yours.