Told to complete PIP application online

OnlinePIP

Hi

I've scoured the internet for answers but can't seem to find anyone else in my situation.

I applied for PIP today by calling the number provided and after a good 45 minutes of being on hold I went through the very robotic Q&A for the basic questions regarding my application and was then asked for my email and told that I should fill my PIP application online and attach evidence online too and that the instructions will be received in an email (Which is yet to come through).

Is this some brand new feature? Has anyone else experienced the online PIP application?

This seems significantly easier to complete so hopefully this is the new normal for PIP applications. 

poppy123456

Hi,

I'm not sure why you were told this because it's not possible to fill out the form online. They always send the PIP2 form out by post and you receive it within the next 10 days or so.

See link for confirmation. https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

Adrian_Scope

Hello @OnlinePIP. I agree it does seem like a much simpler process (on the surface at least). Although it sadly doesn't yet address the issue of having to call them in the first place and sit in a queue for hours!
Sadly they're not always checking that it's the best process for those selected either. I'm aware of a couple of cases where the claimant has neither regular internet access or anything other than an old smart phone to complete the form on.

@Poppy123456, a small number of claimants are testing an online claim process for PIP. They are sent a link to download the claim form and then another link to upload both the form and any evidence. The form is identical to the paper application form, but is all completed online. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. 

poppy123456

@Adrian_Scope ah thanks for that. Yes, that will be interesting to see how that works.

Ross_Scope

Welcome to the community @OnlinePIP  

I agree that it'll be interesting to see how the online application works, it could make the process more accessible for those who struggle with paper forms.

janer1967

Woe this will be interesting and potentially could cut down the waiting time a little as no waiting for sending out forms

It does surprise me the DWP are so behind the times and dont use more online services and emails 

mikehughescq

The pilot @Adrian_Scope is referring to has ended. There was a genuine online PIP 2 pdf which could be emailed in. No publicity. Nothing. A number of us got wind of it and grabbed the PIP 2 for future use as DWP and HMCTS, for all the talk, have been next to useless in many basic ways during lockdown and having a pdf when working from home for the foreseeable future has been a godsend. 

They took the email address down a few weeks back but were slow to take down the form. In the meantime two parallel things are taking place.

1 - organisations are publicly pressing PIP to face up to really think and make the pilot a permanent feature. It has been suggested this will likely happen but maybe not this side of Christmas.

2 - some crafty offices have sussed out the form is still in the wild; are pointing people towards it and then unofficially emailing out instructions on where to email it via an address which isn’t the pilot address. 

Happy days.

Adrian_Scope

That’s really interesting @mikehughescq. Do you know when the Pilot was supposed to end? 

I’m aware of a claimant who received it this way recently (return date was for this week) and the downloadable form and website are all still there and active.

They tried to claim by phone in the usual way and were sent it by email instead. 

mikehughescq

I’ll check but I think it only ended a few weeks ago. However, you’re right @Adrian_Scope the site is still there. It’s a very odd state of affairs.