PIP - Northern Ireland

sdoc94

Hello,

I am in Northern Ireland and had my home assessment 5 days ago. Does anyone know how long it should be before I receive my decision?

Thanks

dee4848

@sdoc94  You can now ring them and ask for your report this will give you an idea of what you are going to get it will take a week to get report and  3 weeks for desion

sdoc94

They haven't received my report so I phoned Capita and they sent it yesterday so they reckon DWP will have it within a day or so.

dee4848

@sdoc94 oh good and your desion should take 3 weeks from them receiving the report .GoodLuck

sdoc94

Is this standard for Northern Ireland? As my timescale seems to be very quick compared to a lot of those I have seen from England:

Jan 29th - sent PIP2 form back to DWP
Feb 2nd - letter from Capita stating I will need an assessment
Feb 3rd - appointment letter for home assessment 12 days later
Feb 15th - home assessment took place
Feb 19th - assessment dispatched by Capita to DWP

dee4848

Yes seems right scale mine was same @sdoc94

sdoc94

Great thanks - I hope you had a positive outcome!

sdoc94

@dee4848

Still waiting - I hate this! Did you receive a copy of your assessors report before the decision?

dee4848

@sdoc94 Hi yes I did that' how I knew what I was getting some times DWP depending which one takes your call tell you your decision over the phone ..you could just say the stress is not good for you , you need to know .

dee4848

@sdoc94 if you don' mind me asking is your claim anything to do with your mental health if so tell them it' not good for your mental health 

sdoc94

@dee4848

No it's all physical, riddled with arthritis. They keep telling me I can't get my assessors report until a decision is made. They told me they got my report on the 19th so I don't know if it's worth calling them yet.

Did you receive back pay before your decision - I keep checking my bank out of desperation haha.

dee4848

@sdoc94 Hi I went from DLA so no back pay and I was awarded high on both for arthritis..I would still ring them for derision they told me mine 

sdoc94

That is great news for us arthritic folk! lol

Do you mind me asking what part of the North you're from? I wish I could just know the outcome!

dee4848

@sdoc94 I'm from north Yorkshire 

sdoc94

@dee4848 Ah sorry I thought you were from Northern Ireland!!

dee4848

@sdoc94 please keep us informed when you do get to know your desion 

sdoc94

@dee4848 I will do!



Here's hoping!

mayfair

Hi @sdoc94 have you had any word on your decision

sdoc94

@mayfair

Hi, I phoned the DWP/DfC on Wednesday to get an update. The woman told me they were still waiting on my report from Capita. This was odd as I had rang a week before and was told they received it 19/02/2018. I kept telling her that I was definitely told it had been received. 

Eventually she found a file on my 'account' which was incorrectly named as "direction letter" rather than "assessment report".

In any case I was told that it has been with a decision maker since 19th Feb.

Don't know when to phone back, cannot get a copy of report anyway.

dee4848

I' be phoning today .

dee4848

I think they owe you that one , otherwise your going to go all weekend wishing you had phoned , good Luck

sdoc94

@dee4848 @mayfair

Thanks guys will phone soon as let you know

sdoc94

@dee4848
@mayfair

Guys, phoned half an hour ago and was greeted by a rude woman who could only tell me "NOPE NO UPDATE" and I barely got the sentence of "Can I get a copy of my report" spoken before she interrupted and said "NO! THANKS BYE!!!"

Disgraceful

mayfair

@sdoc94 I think I might of got the same woman, very rude and told me to phone Capita and hung up, I phoned Capita and they are still saying paper based assessment and no time limit on it. I’m finding the whole process very strange as I have had no letter or text from them informing me of what is happening and I don’t know of anyone else who has had a paper based assessment.

sdoc94

@mayfair

I had a F2F so dont know anything about paper based. My home assessment was 15 days ago.

dee4848

@sdoc94 you don' have to ask DWP for it I read on here you can get it from whom it' with capita/ Atos  only took 3 days to get it always worth ringing then I guess by then you will have got your report

sdoc94

@dee4848 i tried Capita but they said no has to be DWP. Northern Ireland seems to get the worst deal!

dee4848

@sdoc94 bless ya it seems so hold on there should be this week 

sdoc94

@dee4848

Thanks bud. Now been 2.5 weeks from face to face. Didn't see anything in the post this morning! Unless it hadn't came haha. Going to try not to phone.

mayfair

@sdoc94 hope you get some word this week fingers crossed for you. 

sdoc94

@mayfair thanks I appreciate that. Would just be nice to know the outcome as I am getting excited with hope and then getting down with worry. Very stressful.

sdoc94

@mayfair

Phoned DWP again. After telling me on 22nd Feb that my report was with a decision maker now they are telling me it only went to DM on the 1st March because someone named my report wrong! Disgrace!! All they can tell me is that my case has a deadline of March 29th.

They must love causing me stress!!

dee4848

@sdoc94 shouldn' take that long rootiing for you 

sdoc94

Thanks bud

@dee4848

mayfair

@sdoc94 that is terrible, hopefully it’s not that long and you hear soon.

sdoc94

Thanks @mayfair

I just want an answer. Will phone again on Friday.

Paul7210

it all depends on your condition as the DWP will have the final say,  usually the scores come back less then you expect. They tend to look at the level of care you need rather than the condition itself, despite recent changes especially with regards supervision needs the 50% rule remains where you must require care/support at least 50% of the time,  hopefully you got the chance to describe any aids you use in your assessment as you will pick up points for these. I would appeal ASAP if you feel decision is wrong.

sdoc94

Hi all,

Had a brown envelope in the post yesterday with the PIP address on the back. Heart was in my mouth until I opened it and it said:

"We have everything we need to make a decision..blah blah blah"
 
Letter dated the 6th March.

Really thought I had finally got a decision, disappointing.

dee4848

@sdoc94 ah now they have made your desion mine decision  had the same date has the letter saying they have all they need .

dee4848

@sdoc94 don' be surprised if it' with you tomorrow .

sdoc94

@dee4848

I hope so! Possibly even today as I got the letter yesterday! Fingers crossed

dee4848

Mine are crossed for you 

mayfair

@sdoc94 Should be with you very soon, fingers crossed for you.

sdoc94

Thanks guys.

Any more word for your own claim @mayfair ?

mayfair

@sdoc94 gave in and phoned yesterday, Capita told me to phone back on the 23rd of March that there should be some progress by then, here’s hoping I can last that long lol 

sdoc94

I hope you hear back soon

sdoc94

Hi all,

No letter yesterday anyway! Won't get to my postbox until about 6:00pm today so hoping to find a brown letter.

Anyone heard back?

Paul7210

It sounds a very stressful time @sdoc94 for you, the government DWP's drag this out for as long as they can it seems. I hope you can also get ESA if you can't work, I know in England the assessments process is a nightmare and Northern Ireland is one of the last area's to change, our friends in Lurgan (NI) had their assessment yesterday at home, although they felt it went ok.

sdoc94

Hi @Paul7210

My assessment did seem fine too, she was nice but I do not know what she said in her report! That is the worry after all the horror stories. Tomorrow makes it 10 weeks from the start of my claim, and 4 weeks from my home assessment.

Paul7210

Its terrible what people have to go through to get support, my wife has severe epilepsy so I've had fight on her behalf, despite her having daily seizures they wrote to her asking her to attend a back to work interview even though she has a care package at home to help her live independently! .The system is an absolute disgrace buddy, ours friends in Lurgan have been battling a brain tumour and I know the problems and pain do seem invisible to the every day person as is epilepsy and very hard to convince these assessors. I do wish you all the best @sdoc94 I see your a Northern Irish guy and I hope you get the right outcome in your area. Do you live with family? or on your own? if you need any advice just give us a shout, I'm only used to the condition of Epilepsy but the support available will cover other conditions too.

sdoc94

Hi Paul

Always lived with my mum who was a great help but I could not manage the stairs in her two-storey house anymore.

So me and my partner who is amazing now have to rent a ground floor apartment. Very expensive which only makes matters worse

mayfair

@sdoc94 hope you get word today 

sdoc94

Good morning all! I happened to check my bank account last night and there was a lump sum deposited!

Phoned DWP this morning and I have been awarded standard daily living and enhanced mobility for 3 years!!

ECSTATIC!

dee4848

@sdoc94 great news so your review will be a couple of months after mine in 2020.

mayfair

@sdoc94 brilliant news I’m so happy for you 

sdoc94

@dee4848

Yep I am over the moon!

sdoc94

@mayfair

Thanks very much hope you get sorted soon buddy

Paul7210

i'm really pleased for you @sdoc94 it should never have took that long.

sdoc94

Thanks Paul,

Worth the wait

mayfair

Update DWP received assessor’s report on the 21st of March

sdoc94

All the best @mayfair

mayfair

Thanks @sdoc94

baggsy26

Does anyone know the phone number for capita in Wales please I am waiting for a reassement on my son and dwp keeps saying it’s with capita so would I be able to ring them and ask how much longer they will take 

sdoc94

@mayfair

Any updates? I am still patiently waiting on my new motability car! Another 2 months to go lol

baggsy26

Yes told me he’s having paper based assessment and could take another 3 months to find out anything 

mayfair

Hey @sdoc94 I’m still waiting, 10 weeks on Friday. I’m so happy your getting your car even though it’s a bit of a wait lol

mayfair

@baggsy26 my son had a paper based assessment 10 weeks on and I’m still waiting 

Shona1

I am currently awaiting an appeal on pip in NI. I was first notified of my claim following a home visit by carer’s allowance stopping this for my mother who claimed it. We had a mandatory reconsideration of that decision and were awarded low rate care & mobility. The mandatory reconsideration found same and said that they considered the doctors letter sent in then later sent another letter stating they received my letter but found it hadn’t changed their opinion. In my experience they are very difficult to deal with and you will need to have records of all correspondence to and from them. Anyone starting this process make sure you have all up to date medical records as I found their records were 2 years out of date initially.

sdoc94

@SHONA1

I think it depends on who you are assessed by - decision maker-wise. 

I did not send in any medical evidence but they went looking for it and got it. I was awarded enhanced mobility and standard daily living with 8 weeks back pay. 

I thought it was fair.

Shona1

Very true am not saying my case will be each persons. However couple of things they focused on in my case was my ability to work and ability to be articulate in discussing my cerebral palsy and it’s effects. I was moving from DLA to pip so they used the last DLA medical report but it lacked vital evidence for me with two procedures absent. So it is useful to check what information they have and if outdated send the updated information ideally before your assessment. It is good to hear that your pip process went smoothly I would say it probably is to do with how an individual interpret the form and medical records available. 

mayfair

Hey @sdoc94 phoned today for a update and he’s been awarded enhanced on both to 2022, I’m so happy 

sdoc94

@mayfair

Brilliant news!! I hope this brings a lot of joy and makes the wait worth it!

mayfair

@sdoc94 thank you it was welll worth the wait lol 

winky1234

Helpppp lol

winky1234

Its been 2 weeks near from face to face assesement got a text to my phone saying pip have recivee my assersers report how long will take now or can i ring up will they tell you over phone ?

poppy123456

winky1234 said:

Its been 2 weeks near from face to face assesement got a text to my phone saying pip have recivee my assersers report how long will take now or can i ring up will they tell you over phone ?

Decision times vary depending on backlog in your area. Some wait 2 weeks while other wait 8 weeks or more. There's really no timescales. They send you another standard text message once they have all the evidence they need. They will only tell you the decision over the phone if a decision's been made. If you've only just received a text saying your report has been returned then a decision won't be made yet.

winky1234

Ok thanks for the comment long hold waiting game and fingers crossed something turns up soon  maybe give other week to see 

winky1234

Hey guys just found out i have been accepted for pip standard rate on both is jt the rate on website or is it anything up to that help?

poppy123456

Great news. £57.30 daily living and £22.65 mobility per week. Your award letter will state the amounts you'll receive and when payments will be.

winky1234

Isthat most i get or could it be a bit more

poppy123456

That's the PIP amounts per week for standard for both, you won't be paid more than that. Payments are made every 4 weeks into your bank.

poppy123456

See link for current PIP amounts. https://www.gov.uk/pip/what-youll-get

winky1234

Yes seen all that thanks tell me this am on e.s.a dos that increase or dos it stay the same ? Also am i entiled to any other benefits ect carer allowence or that?

poppy123456

You can't claim carers allowance for yourself, someone else can claim it if they look after you for at least 35 hours per week and they don't earn more than £120 per week after deductions.

Which ESA do you claim, Income Related or Contributions based and do you live with a partner or alone?

winky1234

Live way my partner .

poppy123456

Your partner could claim carers allowance for looking after you but it will depend on circumstances of your partner. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/carers-allowance/

winky1234

She applyed  yrsterday so will wait and see thanks

winky1234

Hi my patner as applyed for carerings allowance for me how far can then back date up to?

poppy123456

winky1234 said:

Hi my patner as applyed for carerings allowance for me how far can then back date up to?

It can be backdated to the start of the PIP award if claiming within 3 months of the date of the decision of the PIP, providing he meets all the eligibility criteria stated in this link. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/carers-allowance

winky1234

Ok thanks for your help your a star

winky1234

Hi much can my partner get on carer alollwance they told us ther giving us it but have to run by e.s.a and will i loss any of my e.s.a i want to know ? Thanks

poppy123456

winky1234 said:

Hi much can my partner get on carer alollwance they told us ther giving us it but have to run by e.s.a and will i loss any of my e.s.a i want to know ? Thanks

Carers Allowance is £64.30 per week. This amount will be deducted from your ESA and ESA will add a carers premium of £36 per week. Carers allowance will then pay your partner £64.30 per week. This is because of the overlapping benefit rule but it works out that you'll both be £36 per week better off.

The carers premium can be back dated to the start of the PIP award providing your partner claims carers allowance within 3 months of the PIP decision.

winky1234

But is tber 3 types of esa  my partner dont work i didtn think i would loss anything woman on phone didtn say to my other half? Am on esa income support  related 

poppy123456

No, there's not 3 types of ESA there's 2. Contributions based and Income Related. As you live with your partner who doesn't work then you must be claiming ESA as a couple in which case it would be Income Related.

There's 2 groups WRAG and Support Group but no such thing as Income support related. It would be Income related in the Support Group that you're claiming.

As i stated in my previous comment the carers allowance is deducted from your ESA and a premium is added. In total it will mean you'll both be £36 per week better off but you'll receive less ESA because your partner will be paid the carers allowance separately.

winky1234

Ok thanks so will it 64.30 week she be back dated or 34 aweek?

poppy123456

£36 per week will be backdated to the start of the PIP award providing your partner claimed the carers allowance within 3 months of the decision being made on the PIP.

winky1234

My partner was told By caraer alwollance money will be back dated but esa said it wont she got letter ther wonder why 

poppy123456

winky1234 said:

My partner was told By caraer alwollance money will be back dated but esa said it wont she got letter ther wonder why 

All of the advice i gave you above is correct, please read back through all of my comments. Claiming carers allowance is complicated and lots of people get completed confused by the fact it gets deducted from one benefit and a carers premium is added. The carers allowance won't be backdated but the carers premium will be.

winky1234

Ok am so sorry has total confussed me totaly brain r3cked

poppy123456

Basically, what ever ESA amount you received before your partner claimed Carers allowance minus that by £28.30 per week and that's how much ESA you will receive. Carers allowance will then pay your partner £64.30 per week or what ever they asked for when applying, weekly, 4 weekly or every 13 weeks.

Then you'll receive backdated money of £36 per week, payable from what ever date was stated on the form when your partner applied. It can be backdated to the start of your PIP award if the carers allowance was claimed within 3 months of the PIP decision being made.

winky1234

So wot will i loss in esa and how much a week carer allowance week will she get sorry about this hard of under standing all this