I've had my assessment. How long will I have to wait? Will they go off the assessor's report?

Sue_Alumni

Hi @Awiddup13
I think it is worth a try requesting a Mandatory reconsideration of the DWP's decision that you failed to return the August 2021 PIP form without good reason.  As discussed previously you only have a short time left to do this but even if you don't feel that its something you want to follow through with at the moment  it might be a sensible step to consider in order to protect any possible PIP entitlement you may have for the period you were out of hospital from October 2021 to March/April 2022. I understand that you are now getting support and perhaps they may help you make contact with your local Citizens Advice for help with the mandatory reconsideration.

Calcotti is right - thank you for clarifying - once in hospital you can claim PIP but you wont be paid until you're discharged.

 

Alex260617

I will do that, still not heard anything but will MR depending on the period they pay me from, I got a letter yesterday dated Monday to say they have everything they need to make a decision, I provided all my own evidence will they check in with my GP it takes me hours to get a response from those guys 

poppy123456

Awiddup13 said:

will they check in with my GP it takes me hours to get a response from those guys 

 You've had the letter saying they have all the information needed so it's very unlikely this will happen now.

Alex260617

Thanks @poppy123456 will let you know the outcome  

Alex260617

Just spoke to the DWP and they've asked me to confirm how my rent is paid because I don't have control on finances and also if I was to be paid a lump sum would this cause me to further fall into trouble, does this sound positive? Bit of a strange one. They've asked me to sign a declaration or confirm verbally. 

poppy123456

Not sure about the rent question because PIP has nothing to do with that. The question about the payment of PIP, if they think a claimant may have difficulties in managing a lump sum they will ask if you want it paid in installments, rather than a lump sum. I would say this is a positive sign.

Alex260617

They've just said it was go claire the descriptor about budgeting and finance. She just said she's passed it over and to expect a payment in 3-5 days  

Sue_Alumni

fingers crossed - keep us updated !
Take care !

Alex260617

Just spoke to PIP and they have awarded me higher for both elements which is awesome news, if I want to l claim for October to March I have to put this in writing to them is there anything I need to do or mention?  

Alex_Alumni

That's great news @Awiddup13 I'm pleased to hear it

When you get your decision letter, it should explain the length of your award.

Can you tell me what you mean here, as I'm not sure I've understood your question fully:

if I want to l claim for October to March I have to put this in writing to them is there anything I need to do or mention?

Let us know if we can help with anything else, and hopefully the news means you can have a relaxing evening!

Alex

poppy123456

Awiddup13 said:

if I want to l claim for October to March I have to put this in writing to them is there anything I need to do or mention?  

If you want to do this then do as they asked and put it in writing. Explain in full the exact date you applied for PIP last year. Tell them that you were in hospital from X date to y date. When you came out of hospital you didn't feel you could complete the forms so you left it. Make sure you tell them exactly why you didn't complete the forms.

Then ask them if they can backdate the claim to the date you came out of hospital. You will need to make sure you put the dates down in the letter.

Alex260617

They've awarded me from April till July. 

How do I do a MR for October - march? Is there a form or can I do it online and how long will this take? 

Had I of known I could of claimed I would of but I was told in August I wasn't at all not that I could once I left hospital. 

poppy123456

Awiddup13 said:

They've awarded me from April till July. 

Are you sure your claim is until July 2022? Please have another read of the decision letter. The money that's owed to you will be from April until a certain point. Going forward you will receive payments every 4 weeks on a certain day of the week.

Awiddup13 said:

How do I do a MR for October - march? Is there a form or can I do it online and how long will this take? 

You can certainly request the MR in writing telling them the reasons why you didn't return the forms within the timescale they gave you, or why you didn't return them when you came out of hospital. You need to make sure that you clearly state it's the backdating of the award you're challenging and not the award itself.

Please be aware that the most likely outcome of the MR decision will it will remain the same. The next step will be Tribunal. Before doing this i'd get some expert advice to see if it's possible to even backdate it to when you came out of hospital.

Alex260617

Payment received today I spoke to them yesterday about back dated payment and they said i wont be eligible as the note on their system says i was unable to pass security in August when i rang so they are saying its pointless which seems odd, do you think its still worth putting in a MR for the period i mentioned above?

Alex260617

I was some strong meds at time so. Wouldn't of known what was happening 

Alex260617

Can I do a MR on the phone or does it need to be in writing? I 

poppy123456

It's always better to put it in writing.

Alex260617

I've just come off the phone to case manager and asked for the period of August - march to be looked Into as surely the fact a call was made to request to be considered for PIP was enough and not the fact I couldn't finish the call shouldn't matter I was in a psychiatric ward at the time and my advise given my the advisor was wrong. I must of passed most of security for the call to be logged against my name. The case manager said they are going to see if they can find the call and call me back. What happens if they cant locate the call? Surely the fact I made an attempt be enough proof for them. 

poppy123456

You can't be paid PIP while you were still in hospital because it's the law so the award can't be considered from the date you rang to start your claim. It will only be considered from the date you came out of hospital. If you haven't given those dates to them then they will need them before a decision can be made.

When you finally did fill in the form this year, if it was the same form they sent while you were in hospital then they can check from that.

Alex260617

Yes that what I mean, hopefully it gets resolved today