PIP Face to Face Review?

tcellmutation

Hello, my name is Matthew. I am currently receiving the higher rate of daily living and higher rate for mobility. From 2014 - 2016 was also at the higher rate for both categories. The current award is from March 2016 - March 2020.

My letter stated that I’ve been awarded an extension because my conditions are not likely to improve.

I have the following conditions:
Encephalitis, Epilepsy, Type 1 Diabetes, Underactive Thyroid, Pernicious Anaemia and Anosmia.

Since the last review I’ve been diagnosised with T-Cell mutation which is thought to be causing my problems. It’s very rare and I’m told only around 35 known cases wordwide. Me, my mum and my sister have it. Obviously the existing conditions won’t get better as the damage has been done.

I have been watching the news recently and PIP has been under fire for its handling of...pretty much the whole PIP process.

In light of the coming shakeup I am wondering if you think I’ll be asked to a face to face interview? I know it’s far off yet, but it’s still stressful thinking about it.

My conditions effect my balance, extreme fatigue, seizures, memory problems and anxiety. I have hospital appointments at least twice a month and just spent 12 days in hospital because of a relapse of encephalitis.

Sorry for the length of this post.

Thanks, Matt

poppy123456

Yes you will be re-assessed 1 year before your award is due to end. There's no plans for any of what was in the news a few weeks ago and for this you will need a 10 year award, as your award is until 2020 you will be re-assessed. The process will be the same as before.

atlas46

Hi @tcellmutation
 
A very warm welcome.

Sorry to learn of your health problems and continuing difficulties.

A more cautions tone, is required about the recent press release about pending changes to the PIP review process.

On a very positive note, you were reassessed for PIP in 2016, without the need for an assessment.  That bodes well for any future review. Your review  is not required until around 2019/20.

There has been a rise in the number of paper based reviews in the past few months.  This is another good pointer for you and me.

The review that poppy has mentioned in passing, has grown legs.

But again, you need to take an objective view of what has been suggested, by DWP.

The "light touch" review by the DWP is being considered and "by the end of this summer," they will make a further statement.

They will consider light touch reviews for claimants that get enhanced award for both components.  That means folks like us.

Now comes the growing of legs.

The reviews will be every 10 years and not if you have a 10 year award.

Please note the DWP got the kicking of its lifetime, the DWP select committee report, that as published earlier this year. They asked for evidence from claimants of PIP and ESA, experience of the assessment process.

I am glad to report, the received thousands of responses!

Hopefully, I have put you at ease and suggest that you do not have any concerns about pending assessments. Matt, please concentrate on your health and well being.

Let us know if you need any further assistance/support.

Best wishes

tcellmutation

Thank you for the rapid reply. I think this is the very situation that genuine claimants face. Even tho a persons review is far away it’s still there hanging over you to the point where you begin to question yourself about the daily conditions you have. I’m pleased about the upcoming DWP statement. I’m hoping that it will help people like us to feel part of society and allow us to live the best life that we can live

tcellmutation

poppy123456 said:

Yes you will be re-assessed 1 year before your award is due to end. There's no plans for any of what was in the news a few weeks ago and for this you will need a 10 year award, as your award is until 2020 you will be re-assessed. The process will be the same as before.

I’m thinking along the lines of the new guidelines that will come into play at the end of this summer. Less face to face assessments and longer awards for people currently receiving the enhanced awards.

Thinking logically...if the complaint about the DWP is making people attend face to face assessments (for enhanced awards) it doesn’t make sense for people already on the enhanced award to have “another” face to face assessment as this is exactly what they are trying to stamp out!?

If you think about people that have just been awarded the enhanced award and it’s say...for 2 years...when the new guidelines are published at the end of summer the people that received a 2 year award will be like...”eh?! So I still have to go back in 2 years even tho the new guidelines have just been put into effect?”

It’ll make more sense for the DWP to send out letters to people on the enhanced awards stating their term has been extended inlight of the new guidelines. Seems logical?

Paul7210

Hi Matthew,
                  i'm really sorry to hear of your problems, my wife has severe epilepsy and is very unlikely to get better, she got a 5 year award but as most people I also worry when the time comes to claim again.
Paul

Yadnad

tcellmutation said:

p 

I’m thinking along the lines of the new guidelines that will come into play at the end of this summer. Less face to face assessments and longer awards for people currently receiving the enhanced awards.

Thinking logically...if the complaint about the DWP is making people attend face to face assessments (for enhanced awards) it doesn’t make sense for people already on the enhanced award to have “another” face to face assessment as this is exactly what they are trying to stamp out!?

If you think about people that have just been awarded the enhanced award and it’s say...for 2 years...when the new guidelines are published at the end of summer the people that received a 2 year award will be like...”eh?! So I still have to go back in 2 years even tho the new guidelines have just been put into effect?”

It’ll make more sense for the DWP to send out letters to people on the enhanced awards stating their term has been extended inlight of the new guidelines. Seems logical?

It's not unheard of for someone with a life limiting and degenerative condition on a say 3 year award period for Enhanced Mobility & Care to have another face to face  and be found as not entitled to anything 
To expect to be awarded what you had before because you did is not being realistic.
I would imagine that the new rules will be very narrowly made simply for the above reason.
This forum and many others report those situations every day.

Yadnad

Paul7210 said:

Hi Matthew,
                  i'm really sorry to hear of your problems, my wife has severe epilepsy and is very unlikely to get better, she got a 5 year award but as most people I also worry when the time comes to claim again.
Paul

I know how you feel, I was on a 3 year award cycle (Enhanced Mobility & Care) since 2013.  At 70 I had had enough of these re-assessments every 2 years and had my PIP claim closed down.

tcellmutation

Yadnad said:

tcellmutation said:

p 

I’m thinking along the lines of the new guidelines that will come into play at the end of this summer. Less face to face assessments and longer awards for people currently receiving the enhanced awards.

Thinking logically...if the complaint about the DWP is making people attend face to face assessments (for enhanced awards) it doesn’t make sense for people already on the enhanced award to have “another” face to face assessment as this is exactly what they are trying to stamp out!?

If you think about people that have just been awarded the enhanced award and it’s say...for 2 years...when the new guidelines are published at the end of summer the people that received a 2 year award will be like...”eh?! So I still have to go back in 2 years even tho the new guidelines have just been put into effect?”

It’ll make more sense for the DWP to send out letters to people on the enhanced awards stating their term has been extended inlight of the new guidelines. Seems logical?

It's not unheard of for someone with a life limiting and degenerative condition on a say 3 year award period for Enhanced Mobility & Care to have another face to face  and be found as not entitled to anything 
To expect to be awarded what you had before because you did is not being realistic.
I would imagine that the new rules will be very narrowly made simply for the above reason.
This forum and many others report those situations every day.

As my conditions have worsened and letters say that my condition is deterierating I think I’ll be okay. If I didn’t get any benefit that would mean I was able to work and I would do anything to be healthy and work again. 

Yadnad

But would the deterioration translate into points?
I'm too old to work - 70 - but it didn't stop the DWP reducing my awards 3 times since 2013 from Enhanced for both to nothing.

debbiedo49

@Yadnad could you please try to be less negative on your posts? Its not helpful at all.

tcellmutation

Unfortunately in my case deterioration translates to...deterioration. To make things worse I received a letter today asking me to stop driving. I’m in my late 20’s and this all hit me out of the blue. My main concern now is to figure out how to come to terms with my limitations and how to maximise my quality of life. I need to plan things in advance because I cannot be spontaneous anymore. Financially not having to worry about this benefit and that benefit will allow me to maximise my quality of life in a sense that I won’t have to live day by day with my existing conditions as well as my finanical well-being.

sue66

Yadnad said:

Paul7210 said:

Hi Matthew,
                  i'm really sorry to hear of your problems, my wife has severe epilepsy and is very unlikely to get better, she got a 5 year award but as most people I also worry when the time comes to claim again.
Paul

I know how you feel, I was on a 3 year award cycle (Enhanced Mobility & Care) since 2013.  At 70 I had had enough of these re-assessments every 2 years and had my PIP claim closed down.

What i dont get is how one can get an award say 1st time yet nothing with next assessment even though you answered the questions the same. If our answers got us points the first time then why not the 2cnd time. Either we answered the descriptors correctly or we didn't. Life long ailments or illnesses, that are not going to improve with time, why such short award cycles?   Hubby will be 70 next Jan and he says his not going to keep going through this every 2 or 3 yrs. Suppose we are very fortunate to at least get state pension. If your over 65 the only other option is to apply for attendance allowance but even this isn't as easy as it was a few yrs ago. Mum got £80 but doubt she would qualify for it now with a fresh claim, She is very fortunate they leave her alone as they they do with those who were fortunate enough to be born 1948 or before, this category are allowed to keep their DLA. Hubby was born 1949 so missed this sadly.

Yadnad

debbiedo49 said:

@Yadnad could you please try to be less negative on your posts? Its not helpful at all.

I wasn't being negative.
The poster said that they had deteriorated. OK, but as you know, PIP is about descriptors - so does that deterioration help to give more points?

tcellmutation

Yadnad said:

debbiedo49 said:

@Yadnad could you please try to be less negative on your posts? Its not helpful at all.

I wasn't being negative.
The poster said that they had deteriorated. OK, but as you know, PIP is about descriptors - so does that deterioration help to give more points?

Yes

Yadnad

sue66 said:

.

What i dont get is how one can get an award say 1st time yet nothing with next assessment even though you answered the questions the same. If our answers got us points the first time then why not the 2cnd time. Either we answered the descriptors correctly or we didn't. Life long ailments or illnesses, that are not going to improve with time, why such short award cycles?   Hubby will be 70 next Jan and he says his not going to keep going through this every 2 or 3 yrs. Suppose we are very fortunate to at least get state pension. If your over 65 the only other option is to apply for attendance allowance but even this isn't as easy as it was a few yrs ago. Mum got £80 but doubt she would qualify for it now with a fresh claim, She is very fortunate they leave her alone as they they do with those who were fortunate enough to be born 1948 or before, this category are allowed to keep their DLA. Hubby was born 1949 so missed this sadly.

It all depends on the assessor, some will give a comprehensive, honest and accurate report whilst others will go the opposite way.
There are many cases where following a review all of the previous points have been removed.
Also it depends on the quality of the evidence and how old it is.
I have only just found out that the length of the award is as short as possible that the DWP can get away with. When making the claim you should give reasons why it should be as long as 10 years - do nothing and you get 3 years.
Yes Attendance Allowance is my only option. I have downloaded the form and it is just as bad as the PIP one so I have put it aside for another day. Also the notes say that you have to have a face to face assessment as well!
Had 3 of those in the past 5 years and certainly don't want to go through that again - all the lies etc they tell the DWP.

lozzer25

Hello I've just got a letter through for a face to face assessment I know I am going to be declined I have mild spastic diplegia I only applied for pip as my mobility has got worse over time although I am independently mobile I get very tired due to the spasticity in my left leg shopping is also difficult as my arms and shoulders tighten when I carry things resulting in stiffening and pain in my neck and shoulders I have adapted to my own way as I only got a diagnosis 5 years ago scared I am going to go in there and automatically going to dismiss me

Government_needs_reform

Yadnad said:

sue66 said:

.

What i dont get is how one can get an award say 1st time yet nothing with next assessment even though you answered the questions the same. If our answers got us points the first time then why not the 2cnd time. Either we answered the descriptors correctly or we didn't. Life long ailments or illnesses, that are not going to improve with time, why such short award cycles?   Hubby will be 70 next Jan and he says his not going to keep going through this every 2 or 3 yrs. Suppose we are very fortunate to at least get state pension. If your over 65 the only other option is to apply for attendance allowance but even this isn't as easy as it was a few yrs ago. Mum got £80 but doubt she would qualify for it now with a fresh claim, She is very fortunate they leave her alone as they they do with those who were fortunate enough to be born 1948 or before, this category are allowed to keep their DLA. Hubby was born 1949 so missed this sadly.

It all depends on the assessor, some will give a comprehensive, honest and accurate report whilst others will go the opposite way.
There are many cases where following a review all of the previous points have been removed.
Also it depends on the quality of the evidence and how old it is.
I have only just found out that the length of the award is as short as possible that the DWP can get away with. When making the claim you should give reasons why it should be as long as 10 years - do nothing and you get 3 years.
Yes Attendance Allowance is my only option. I have downloaded the form and it is just as bad as the PIP one so I have put it aside for another day. Also the notes say that you have to have a face to face assessment as well!
Had 3 of those in the past 5 years and certainly don't want to go through that again - all the lies etc they tell the DWP.

@yadnad No it's not always the case that you give reason to recieve a longer award sorry it's down to them. It's about funtional evidence not necessary the diagnosis evidence but it helps a bit.

I was on DLA now PIP ongoing E rates. No face to face either just factual and to the point anecdotal evidence plus a little shove in the right direction too.

lozzer25

Hello I've just got a letter through for a face to face assessment I know I am going to be declined I have mild spastic diplegia I only applied for pip as my mobility has got worse over time although I am independently mobile I get very tired due to the spasticity in my left leg shopping is also difficult as my arms and shoulders tighten when I carry things resulting in stiffening and pain in my neck and shoulders I have adapted to my own way as I only got a diagnosis 5 years ago scared I am going to go in there and automatically going to dismiss me

Yadnad

Governments_A_Joke 

.

.

@yadnad No it's not always the case that you give reason to recieve a longer award sorry it's down to them. It's about funtional evidence not necessary the diagnosis evidence but it helps a bit.

I was on DLA now PIP ongoing E rates. No face to face either just factual and to the point anecdotal evidence plus a little shove in the right direction too.

I'm only repeating what Mike [removed by moderator] has said. The claimant can influence the length of the award

Conversely he also suggests that if the award is not what you wanted then with the MR you should ask the DWP what evidence they have used that would back up the short award given. He indicates that he has never lost such a case - the DWP always backs down.

Yadnad

Username_removed said:

An AA claim pack done well will rarely trigger a medical. 

Thanks Mike I agree it may well be a question of degree. There's well done and there is my version of well done gained from my experience of PIP!!

Looking at the claim form again this afternoon it all seems to be biased towards having outside carers involved or my family having to look after me on a regular basis throughout the day/night.
Fortunately I am not in that position yet and can cope with some help from my wife. 
PIP was all about the impact on my everyday life, but with AA there doesn't seem to be the scope of considering that.

AA appears to be for those that can't function on a daily/nightly basis. Maybe I am in between the stages of deteriorating but not having deteriorated enough that carers have to be involved. Obviously I have aids supplied by Social Services - electric bath lift, bed riser and grab rail, raised toilet seats and a frame around both toilets - upstairs and down. I need a stick to help move about and have poor hearing and thus the NHS have supplied two hearing aids.