New PIP Claim

elle_t

Hello I am knew to PIP and new here. Sorry for the long story in advance!!

I had a stroke on 17th May and have not worked since. I was previously always in full time employment. I started a PIP claim on 17th June, returned form in July and had F2F home visit on 27th August (never requested home visit). Visit was straight forward and nurse carrying it out was nice and just confirmed what was on form was factual.

I got a txt yesterday saying DWP had assessment and would hear decision within 6 weeks. Because I have been following others advice on here (thank you) I phoned this morning and asked for copy of report. The person who answered said there would no point in sending it out as the decision could change and I couldn't phone and contest what was written. I sad I knew this and to send it anyway which she is doing.

As well as stroke I have been diagnosed with mild heart failure and in addition I have a family history of Huntingtons Disease but have never been tested. I have now been referred for genetic testing, had an HD specialist nurse out today and have an HD consultant appointment in October, to try and help manage my symptoms all of which I told the assessor.

Since the stroke I am struggling to recover as I now have symptoms of HD (in particular involuntary movements, very poor co-ordination and anxiety) in addition to stroke symptoms, left sided weakness etc and as a result am not able to walk more than 10 metres without assistance of 1 person, I need full assistance with preparing and cooking meals etc due to dropping things and also full assistance getting in and out of the bath etc. 

I have put all of this information on my form and the nurse confirmed this by testing movement etc.

My question is, if anyone is able to answer, although I have now had the condition for 3 months to qualify would the fact that I have not had the genetic test to confirm HD mean they might not award it due to the "must be expected to last 6 months" factor.

Many Thanks

poppy123456

Hi,

For PIP you must have had the condition for at least 3 months and expect it to last at least a further 9 months, not 6 months.

PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

The report will tell you whether or not any award is recommended. When you receive it look for the dots against the descriptors and use the PIP self test to add up what maybe recommended. It's rare for them to go against it. http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php

If you're not happy with the recommendations then you can at least start the Mandatory Reconsideration letter but you'll need to wait for a decision before requesting is.

Hopefully you won't be waiting to long for a decision but there's no timescales. Good luck.

elle_t

Thank You @poppy123456. I will let you know when I receive report

Adrian_Scope

Welcome to the community @elle_t! Best of luck and I hope your report arrives quickly. 

elle_t

Hi @Adrian_Scope thanks you and me too. Will let you know when it arrives

Chloe_Scope

Welcome to the community @elle_t!

elle_t

Hi @Chloe_Scope, Still waiting for my assessment, said it could take 10 days.  I've also filled in a form for my ESA to be continued and am waiting to hear from them so think they have  a backlog too.

When I had my stroke I was self employed and advised to claim UC rather than ESA and because I had no idea at first what to do as Ive never been sick it initially took 8 weeks to get benefits and I cant tell you how hard that was financially and the fact that Ive always just worked and got paid.. so simple. I just wish I could return to work.

Coming on here and reading everyones advice and seeing the problems others are having, many worse than mine at least I dont feel so out of touch and isolated now. But it is so stressful waiting on letters to see if you can buy the shopping.

elle_t

And thanks for the welcome @Chloe_Scope

Chloe_Scope

That's okay @elle_t, we all appreciate how stressful it can be so please do reach out for support if there is anything we can do to help.

elle_t

Hi @Adrian_Scope still hadnt recieved report. Phoned this morning. It hadnt been posted . So another up to 14 days

Adrian_Scope

Hi @elle_t, have you had any luck yet?

elle_t

Hi @Adrian_Scope no nothing yet 

Adrian_Scope

Hopefully they won't keep you waiting the full 14 days @elle_t!

elle_t

Hopefully they will even send it this time @Adrian_Scope. That would be a bonus!!