What happens when you switch from DLA to PIP?

Lesleykidd23

Hi I have been on high rate mobility and living allowance for nearly 10 years I suffered a spinal stroke which has left me with left side paralysis I was left handed. I also severe osteoporosis i have had 3 hip fractures a fractured heel a fractured left forearm and due to my impaired stability i do fall regularly and broke my nose after a fall as i am unable to stop myself from falling. I will never regain my left side mobility and been told it is a deteriorating condition. I need help dressing I reliey on my family to do my domestic chores. I use a stick to walk and on most days I struggle to function due to the pain. I have received a letter stating I will need to apply for PIP I am so stressed about this and not sure if I come under the light touch review can anybody advise me on this. 

chiarieds

Hi @Lesleykidd23 - Welcome to the community. I'm very sorry to read about all the problems you have & how it affects you.

I will ask my friend @poppy123456 to give her advice, as she has a great understanding about benefits.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Lesleykidd23 and a very warm welcome to the community! 

I assume you are moving from DLA to PIP?

Please do bare in mind that these are two different benefits that look at different things. Unfortunately it is not a light touch assessment as it is a different benefit.

Here are some things that might help:

• PIP overview
• PIP criteria and descriptors
• Descriptors explained

If you have anymore questions then please do let us know. Many of us have been through the process.

poppy123456

Hi and welcome,

You will need to ring DWP to start your claim and they will ask you some basic questions, like GP name, bank details etc. During this call i would also advise you to ask for your DLA file to be used as evidence.

Once that is done you'll be sent the PIP2 form a couple of weeks later. If you don't have enough time to return the forms you can ring to ask for a 14 day extension.

You will need to fill out the form with as much information as possible about how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. You should also add a couple of real life examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptors that apply to you.

Do be aware that PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

Housework isn't part of those descriptors. Dressing/undress, washing/bathing, toilet needs, preparing/cooking food, budgeting etc are just some of the daily living activities.

For the mobility part PIP and DLA have different criteria and for DLA it was 50 metres for high rate but for PIP isn't 20 metres for Enhanced rate so do be aware of that also.

Providing your forms are returned on time your DLA will continue until a decision's been made on your PIP. Send relevant evidence with the form to support your claim because they rarely contact anyone for this.

Expect a face to face assessment because most people have them. There's no timescales for how long the process will all take, it depends on backlog in your area.

If your successfully awarded and your state pension age and above then you'll receive a 10 year award with a light touch review. If you're not this age then your award can be anything from 9 months up to a maximum of 10 years. For a 10 year award you must receive Enhanced in both parts, if you're under state pension age.

Having some understanding of the PIP descriptors and what they mean always helps. As Chloe mentioned they are different benefits with different criteria. This link will help you understand it in more detail.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Good luck.

Florine

poppy123456 said:

During this call i would also advise you to ask for your DLA file to be used as evidence.

That's something I really wish I'd known at the time: the appeal tribunal eventually requested it, so you might as well get it in the frame from the start.

EmmaJane

@Lesleykidd23 Hi! For me the switch itself was totally seamless, I did have to undergo a face to face assessment at home some time after, but it was very friendly and as a result I got some extra money for help with personal care which I had never got before. I realize this isn't everyone's experience but I wanted to say that it's not always a problem.

Tommyb92

Hi There @Lesleykidd23, I am also going through the process myself,  I in a similar way to @EmmaJane had to go through the Face to Face Assessment but I had to do this at an assessment centre. I am still waiting on their decision at the moment but I had a fair bit of paperwork from former doctors of mine who treated me for my condition. I hope yours goes in your favour!

Lesleykidd23

Thank you for replying I hope all goes well for you it is such a stressful time having to justify yourself as it is bad enough dealing with a disabolity for the rest of your life. I saw my doctor yesterday and she said with my complex health conditions I have that they would support me through the process and tried to reassure me that it would be a travesty if they declined me and they would help with an appeal hopefully neither of us will need to appeal. Good luck 

Tommyb92

@Lesleykidd23 I have also been informed by PIP team that there is a delay getting back to people about their decisions so it may take a bit longer than what theyve said to you - I was told I should hear back in 6-8 weeks but it could be longer as I had applied over the Christmas period as well

Lesleykidd23

If there is a delay do they still allow you to keep your mobility vehicle 

Tommyb92

Hi Lesley, I am unaware of this, I would suggest contacting the PIP Team who should be able to advise further. Sorry I couldnt be any more help!

poppy123456

There's no timescales for any decision. The timescale they give you is a just a guide and nothing more. Backlogs are just part of the reason a decision can be delayed.

@Lesleykidd23 Your DLA will continue until a decision's been made on your PIP claim and this includes your mobility vehicle. If the worst happens and you're not successfully awarded Enhanced mobility for PIP then depending on how long you've been a motability customer there maybe help available to you, with the transitional support package. See here.

https://www.motability.co.uk/about/allowances/personal-independence-payment-pip/unsuccessful-reassessment/transitional-support-package/