nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Let’s hear some success stories!

[Deleted User]

So some of us are newly applying for PIP and some of us are having to transfer over from DLA - there’s got to be some successful stories and I think they need sharing more to give other people hope

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

wilko

At my first f2f I had a good acessment and was awarded the correct levels of pip for my conditions at that time but a year later as my mobility got worst I notified DWP ad had a second f2f and had my mobility award upgraded to enhanced, at both acessments I found the staff to be honest and fair and listen to comments I had to make. Maybe I was lucky or what but I was awarded the correct amout each time and the first f2f was used to put me in the ESA support group.

Castleford1

My daughter has recently changed over to PIP from DLA. Was on middle care DLA and high rate mobility. She has been awarded enhanced on both parts of PIP without having to have a f2f.

[Deleted User]

Both lovely positive outcomes x

poppy123456

My daughter receives Enhanced for both parts, purely for mental health reasons. First time claim, that took about 8 weeks from start to finish. Assessment report was honest and truthful and stated everything that was talked about during the assessment.

oldngrumpy

Nice to read some good news from contesting DWP decision.
I am contesting my Mobility Award.
I've gone from full DLA lifetime award to lower mobility, to be reviewed in three years time.

[Deleted User]

@Castleford1 how did you know yours was paper based and how long did it take? I’m hoping for a paper based decision from DLA to PIP xx

leannemich

I was awarded enhanced rate mobility back in March 2014 for 3 years after I attended my f2f consultation with my social care manager from the charity of the condition I have. After the 3 years I attended my f2f without her and got awarded nothing at all! So back in December 2017 my nurse come to see me and asked where my car had gone etc so I told her what had happened so she told me to 're apply and ask my social care manager to come again.
They did a home visit without me asking which I was shocked at and my social care manager come to my house and I had a lovely assessor, she didn't lie once in my assessment and wrote down every detail, I got the dreaded brown envelope and got awarded enhanced rate both components indefinte (until 2028) I was shocked to say the least as I've seen so many horror stories! I now have my mobility car back and have my freedom back without struggling as much

Don't give up and make sure somebody is with you on your assessment!

stapeley

You really have to read their own descriptors and use them in your replies , if you stick to it and not get side tracked its hard for them to deny you . Got put in support group of ESA . will use same tactics for PIP claim .

poppy123456

niknoo said:

@Castleford1 how did you know yours was paper based and how long did it take? I’m hoping for a paper based decision from DLA to PIP xx

If you have a paper based assessment then you'll know because you wouldn't have been to a face 2 face assessment.

debsidoo

Hi niknoo
Was invited to claim pip in July 2017 as a transfer from DLA. Was offered a home assessment without asking.Although the assessor went to the wrong house on the first occasion (to which I received an apology from Capita) I had it done in November eventually.
The assessor was fair,didn’t ask me to do some of the functionality tests as he acknowledged my difficulty in some and said there was no point continuing as he knew I would be unable to do them.
He put me at ease straight away and told me not to worry and if I had any questions he would answer them.The questions were straightforward and I was not rushed in any way.
I was granted pip enhanced for both elements from the January.DLA was paid up to that date and the transfer went seamlessly.
I did ask for a copy of assessors report but DWP failed to send one.Im assuming this would have said pretty much the same as on the letter that came with award notice.All in all It was nowhere near as bad as I anticipated.Maybe I just got lucky or maybe not enough credit is given to assessors who do take a fair approach.
Debsidoo.x

[Deleted User]

Lovely positive answer and outcome @debsidoo

yingtong

I transferred from DLA to PIP a year ago without any problems whatsoever.I had ATOS assessor who was a paramedic,at home,it lasted about 40 minutes,he was kind and considerate.I was awarded enhanced in both elements and my review wouldn't be until 2027.Age UK filled my PIP application forms in.

[Deleted User]

Lovely to hear all these stories, especially regarding nice assessments! Keep them coming. Xx

susan48

My f2f in October last year was actually ok,

assessor was politie and spoke to my friend more than me as I couldn’t talk very well, anxiety.

she said numerous time I can appeal which gave me an idea of the outcome. She said some of my issues physically and mentally didn’t fit the deciphers so to appeal.

she was honest and I did appeal and won.

I don’t blame her in the slightest as they have certain questions to ask.

poppy123456

I mentioned my daughter but totally forgot about myself. I tried claiming DLA about 6 months before PIP came out and was refused, i never bother to appeal the decision.

I then applied for PIP later that year and although i had to wait 11 months at the time for my assessment, i have to say the HCP was very understanding. She listened to what i had to say and i was awarded Standard for both for 3 years. Assessment report was 100% truthful.

Two years later at my review again the HCP was so lovely, i was only in the room for about 10 minutes. My mobility had got a lot worse and that was the only questions i was asked. 4 days later i had a call for the decision maker asking me when my mobility got worse. The following day i rang and a decision was made Standard daily living and enhanced mobility for 4 years. Assessment report was again 100% truthful.

It's great to hear of all these positive stories, keep them coming but it sure does give hope to all those people that think there's only bad stories out there.

[Deleted User]

It really does help as it can be all
doom and gloom, so heating other peoples good experiences give other people hope. Xx

Yadnad

niknoo said:

It really does help as it can be all
doom and gloom, so heating other peoples good experiences give other people hope. Xx

The statistics clearly show that for the vast majority of PIP claimants they receive the correct award first time. It is only a minority that have difficulties.
So in a way you can disregard those in the minority group.

However you have to look at the system and try to find out why do the minority have problems with all of their claims, whilst the majority sail through them?

It should be an equal and level playing field for everyone and should not be decided on knowledge of PIP, lack of evidence as well as obtaining quality welfare advice and help. To me it is a two tier system.

[Deleted User]

@Yadnad I absolutely agree with you but I done this post so people can share their positive experiences to help ease the minds of other people, whilst I’m fully aware that the outcomes differ for everyone - it’s nice to hear that some people are getting the right awards first time round with no issues. Xx

atlas46

Hi

My DLA to PIP assessment was done by an OT.

It took 60 minutes and it was carried in a kind friendly way.

The lady could see I was struggling to answer questions, asked my wife them.

At the end I had some reports to give and she asked my wife to get them copied, at the desk, so she could read them.

We left the room and asked my wife to get me to car, before getting the copies.

The assessor was by the front office, when my wife met her.

The assessor asked how I was, to which my wife saiid I was exhausted and wanted to get home.

The kind lady said she sorry that the assessment had caused problems, "but not to worry about anything " .

I got enhance for both for 5 years.

Best wishes

Castleford1

Niknoo, I knew my daughter would be having a paper based assessment because when DWP received the application, a lady rang to ask me some questions (I am my daughters appointee). She told me on the phone that Alison would not be having a face to face. I asked her again as I needed to know because if there was a f2f my daughter would need an advocate (she has severe learning disabilities). She confirmed that there would definitely not be a f2f and they would write to tell me the outcome. Alison received enhanced on both parts for 10 years.