PIP claim queries

joea608

*Please can a moderator move this to the appropriate forum, thanks.*

Hello everyone, my name is Joe and I'm from the U.K . 

I have never really considered myself disabled until the last 18 years or so, ever since I had a transplant in the mid 2000s. I have always struggled with mental health since I can remember, and things got worse ever since my operation, and the loss of my partner in 2020.

To cut a long story short, I applied for PIP in 2020, 2021 and March this year. In 2020, I applied just before the pandemic hit the U.K really bad and we went into lockdown. I filled out the PIP form on my own as my parents were abroad at the time. I had my assessment, and a little while later, I found out I was not eligible for it. I scored 0 on all fronts. I am high functioning autistic and have had anxiety and depression for years. 

Last year, in 2021, I applied again, this time I had a telephone conversation rather than f2f. I took copies this time of what I put in the form, and had help from a parent. I was denied it again due to working at the time (I was self-employed). Both times I did not have the energy to do a Mandatory Reconsideration, because in 2020 I lost my partner and separately I also lost a housemate and this affected me for a very long time, and still does off and on today. 

I now have several documented diagnoses including BPD, PTSD, Autism, GAD.

I applied again for PIP in March this year (2022) and did it online this time as I am familiar with doing pretty much most things this way. I submitted my evidence (multiple letters from specialists, doctors, social workers, support workers, housing, etc) in late April, and I had a text message from DWP on 21st July, stating that they had received the notes from my assessment (which I did not have, so it was paper based). I was told to wait up to 8 weeks for a decision to be made. On the same day, I rang the helpline to request a copy of the PA3 form for paper-based assessments. 

I am still waiting for this to arrive, I know it can take a couple of weeks to arrive, in some cases some people get it in tandem with the decision letter. 

So what I would like to know is, how long did people here have to wait for their decision/forms to arrive? It's very difficult knowing when you're going to get these letters especially when coupled with anxiety! 

Sorry for rambling on, I know it's a bit long... :-)

poppy123456

Once the report is returned decision can take between 2-12 weeks sometimes longer.

joea608

Thanks poppy sorry just anxious, and sorry for my waffle!

Ross_Alumni

Hello @joea608 and welcome to the community, I hope you are well this morning.

Sorry to read of everything you have been through these past few years, I can't imagine how difficult the loss of your partner and housemate must have been, and I'm sorry that it still impacts you to this day. In terms of your mental health, do you have any support in place at the moment to help you manage it? Do you feel as though it is something you are coping well with at the moment?

joea608

Hi Ross, thanks for your reply. Sorry I have been out all day today so have only just been able to reply. 

I do not cope very well at the moment, hence why I have reached out on here. Am worried I wrote too much as I haven't had much input from anyone, but am grateful to those who have replied. 

2020 was pure hell. I was stuck indoors for months on end shielding at home. Losing the housemate was so surreal because it was during the peak of covid and the ambulance people turned up in heavy protective gear, I felt like I was in a Michael Bay film. And I saw the body as well. So that scarred me beyond belief. 

I had already been scarred mentally from the loss of my partner who was only 22 at the time. I've had other things going on even longer ago but don't want to talk about it here tbh. 

My PA3 came in the post today. Basically from the assessors point of view I scored 4 points total in daily living and 12 in mobility. This only used input from my GP, psychiatrists, parents etc. I think the evidence I attached to my claim is yet to be looked at by the decision maker. According to my support worker anyway. 

joea608

Thank you for the warm welcome. I am getting semi regular phone calls from the GP and am awaiting an assessment to see if I can get a care co. I have support from my parents yes, I hate going out in public alone unless I really have to so they take me shopping every now and then. I know a lot of faces in this town as I used to drive cabs. I have a decent social circle too so I am lucky in that regard. I didn't know what Scope was about until this week. I know there's a shop in my town so I think I might donate something. Thanks. I'm currently super anxious about my pip outcome.

joea608

Teddybear12 said:

Hi @joea608 Fingers crossed you get the award you hope for with your pip claim. Once you get your decision if you have any questions please ask. Someone will have an answer for you. 

Thank you, I hope so too. it has been a very long old road... and for such little gain for a lot of people, too many I might add. 

L_Volunteer

That's really sad and disappointing @joea608 Good luck! We are wishing you all the best of luck with it.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you with this 

joea608

I GOT PIP! OMG OMG **** BBQ!?! 

Yes, I was awarded high rate mobility, I am so happy about this. 2 years I have tried to get this, and now I finally am rewarded. 

I am not going to contest this decision. I am happy, I know it makes sense the decision they made, as I can cook, bathe, dress etc which is why I lost points on the daily living component. 

The reason I got mobility enhanced is because I cannot plan a route without the aid of an adult or assistance dog. That is what got me the award, that one question. Thank the heavens. 

I hope the rest of you, whoever you are, gets the award you deserve. It is worth it, trust me. 

MWAH xxxx Thanks to those of you who replied. It's been hard enough, now it's time to celebrate, for what it's worth...

joea608

Oh and to make matters worse, in April 2022 I was raped, so this pip news is just fantastic. 

(Don't worry this is all in hand, has been reported and the police know about it). 

And just so you know, my partner was male, I am male too. 

watermelon

Hi @joea608

Thats brilliant!! i am.so happy for you. Now u can relax and breathe 😀

Alex_Alumni

Hello @joea608 thanks for sharing your news, I can see how much better you're feeling as a result!

It sounds like things have been really hard over the last few years though, and I'm sorry to hear about what's happened. We'd like to help support you as much as we are able to, so keep an eye out for an email from community@scope.org.uk a little later today.

It is good to hear that you were able to report the rape, and that the police know, but that doesn't mean you can't also access support for this when you need it. 

Thanks @Teddybear12 and @watermelon for sharing your reaction to Joe's PIP award, and being so supportive as well, it really makes a difference