What does this letter mean?? ( Pip Application )

Frinsey75

Hi All, 
Hoping someone may be able to help here. I’ve suffered Anxiety, PTSD and severe panic attacks for 10yrs and this is my first application for PIP. 
I sent my forms off and today received a letter from the Independent Assessment Services stating that one of the HP’s has looked at my case and has asked those involved in my care ( I named my GP and CBT specialist ) for more information. 
They haven’t asked me to attend a face to face yet, so is this normal?? I was under the impression from what I’ve read that you automatically get a F2F appointment. My GP wrote a letter that I sent with my application and he was fully supportive that “ anything I was entitled to would be fair and appropriate due to my genuine medical conditions “.

Am now worried they are going to just refuse my application without a F2F appointment. 

Any Advice?? 

dee4848

It' probably for a home visit you don' have to request one it' just so they asking your GP or specialist if you are ok attending a f2f or not

jdhCatWorld

I am on pip. I had a home visit. Most of the assessment seems to be about the physical, mobility, and self care abilities. My problems are based on my epilepsy and brain surgery which seem to be of no importance or relevance to these assessments. Things like panic attacks, blackouts, complex seizures etc are difficult to explain or prove. The result of my assessment reduced my DLA  to half. My social worker recommended applying for ESA. 
The appointment for that assessment was face to face and pretty much the same as for pip. I again felt very humiliated and frustrated at the manner of the person who was ' examining me, he clearly had no understanding of epilepsy or mental health. The interview was about 1 1/2 hour long, the questions seemed repetitious  . I felt very humiliated some if thd questions askdd were, Can you feed, toilet dress yourself ? Explain your day as soon as you wake up. Lift up each arm put them down. Stand up ,sit down move your eyesetc , fold an A4 piece of paper in half and put it on my desk.' If you can, ' and ' you dont have to 'was said at the end of each question which made me feel rather insulted and stupid. I advise you to take someonewho cares for you and understands your disabilities  detailed notes of your problems etc plus any medical evidence. I am now placed in ' working group'. Good luck !

timmyy22

Can you give an update on what happened ? Would like to know.

Paulines7

Frinsey75, I think they will invite you for a face to face interview.  When you go, do take someone with you who knows how your illness affects you.  Have you got a support worker?  If so, ask them to go with you.  My son has mental health problems, severe panic attacks, anxiety and depression but he wanted to be interviewed on his own,  His support worker and I were sitting in the waiting area.  He got zero points and was refused PIP.  My son appealed with our help and at hisTribunal a few months later, he was awarded enough points to qualify for both elements of PIP.  Don't give up. 

timmyy22

I applied for pip first time on 16th January 19. 

Received a letter from independent assessment services on 12th February 19 saying 'we are independent assessment services. We conduct personal independence payment assessments for dwp. Our job is to help dwp understand how your health condition or disability affects your daily life.

One of our health professionals has looked at the information you sent to dwp. We're writing to let you know that we've asked for further information from people involved in your treatment or care.

We've done this to make sure the assessment report we send to dwp about your case is fair and accurate.

Once we've got the further information we've asked for, our health professional may be able to finish your assessment report for dwp without having to see you in person.'

Then got a text on 18th February 19 from dwp saying 'We've received the written report of your PIP assessment. We will write to you once we've made a decision on your PIP. As a guide you should hear from us within 6 weeks. You don't need to contact us unless any of the details you gave us have changed. Thank you.'

Called independent assessment services on same day as text and they say no f2f needed.

I only sent them a doctor's report with my pip form so wondering why no f2f.

I suffer from depression ,anxiety and chronic dsh.

Any info would be welcome thanks

Paulines7

Maybe your doctor's report was sufficient so they will not need to see you f2f.  Do you have any other reports from mental health teams or psychologists or anyone else that is involved with your care?  Do your parents help you and if so would they write a report to tell them how your illness affects you?  These extra letters of support would definitely help if you have to take your case to the Appeals Court.  Do you have a support worker who would help you?  If not, it may be worth speaking to someone from CAB if DWP turn down your PIP.