Started a claim in September

sookiegirl

Hi everyone

I started my pip claim in September. I’m have bilateral severe - profound hearing loss. 

I filled the form out and emailed it all back. I’ve got a face to face assessment this Wednesday, feeling pretty anxious about it. But I’ve added some more notes to the copy of my application. Can this be taken with me? I don’t want it to look like I’ve just added more for the sake of it. 

Was hoping my audiologist would have done me a letter before my appointment but don’t think it’s going to happen as I only see them see them last week for a hearing assessment, which shows my hearing has gotten worse. I do have one from the audiology department that states my level of loss and that wearing hearing aids I will always have significant difficulties with my hearing ability. 

I’ve read how hard it can be to claim pip for deafness. But I’m going to try as it’s something that does affect my life. 

Just thought and pop on here and say hi. Will keep you updated. 

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community from me too @sookiegirl  

Best of luck for your assessment on Wednesday! It's perfectly normal to feel nervous. 

I’ve added some more notes to the copy of my application. Can this be taken with me? I don’t want it to look like I’ve just added more for the sake of it. 

Are these notes to help you give your answers during the assessment? If so, my understanding is that that's fine.

In terms of the kind of evidence needed to help you with your claim, many people find it's best to focus on a few real world examples for each relevant descriptor, rather than on medical evidence. Have you thought of a few examples you could use to demonstrate the challenges you face? 

The NDCS also have some information about claiming PIP as a deaf person, which you may find helpful to look through.

rebel11

I've taken a copy of the claim form, notes etc into an assessment before.

So I don't forget to tell them anything that I feel is important to explain things. The last thing you want to do is leave the assessment, remembering after, that you wish you had said something really important to help your claim.  

sookiegirl

Thanks for all the replies 

I’ve added plenty of notes and more explanations of how it’s affects my day to day living. Mainly with things that have happened over the past month and things that I’ve also remembered but didn’t at the time of filling the form out. 

I have also now received an audiogram and that shows where speech sounds falls on the graph, which confirms that my hearing is significantly lower than this. These have all been sent over so they have them for the appointment. But I will still be taking them with me 

sookiegirl

Tori_Scope said:

Welcome to the community from me too @sookiegirl  

Best of luck for your assessment on Wednesday! It's perfectly normal to feel nervous. 

I’ve added some more notes to the copy of my application. Can this be taken with me? I don’t want it to look like I’ve just added more for the sake of it. 

Are these notes to help you give your answers during the assessment? If so, my understanding is that that's fine.

In terms of the kind of evidence needed to help you with your claim, many people find it's best to focus on a few real world examples for each relevant descriptor, rather than on medical evidence. Have you thought of a few examples you could use to demonstrate the challenges you face? 

The NDCS also have some information about claiming PIP as a deaf person, which you may find helpful to look through.

Many thanks for the above link. There seems to be a few good points on there. I have already described how my hearing affects me in regards to hearing people in different situations. Plus situations where I haven’t heard traffic etc. 

SueHeath

Morning @sookiegirl Big welcome from me to our great group, it's the best forum online that i have came across.
When your ready have a look around the site we have lots going on, a few of us hang out in the virtual coffee lounge, great place to get to know people, play a few games and for general chats.
Good luck with your assessment on Wednesday.

sookiegirl

Assessment all done. Not to sure on how it went. Was only in there for about 35 mins. Took notes in with me but never really had much chance to give over many details, most were on my pip form anyway. I tried to explain how being deaf makes me feel and that I find myself withdrawn and find it hard to socialise. 

Was told she will write up her report and should be about 8 weeks to hear from them. 

Hannah_Alumni

Well done @sookiegirl I hope you treated yourself to something sweet after your assessment!

I'm so sorry you are feeling so withdrawn and finding it hard to socialise. We have a lovely bunch here, and play games and talk about our interests in the Coffee Lounge. I'd love for you to join in when you feel ready  

sookiegirl

Still not heard, not even had the text that some people have mentioned getting when DWP receive the report. Perhaps mine has gone in for quality checks. 

Hannah_Alumni

@sookiegirl I'm sorry you haven't heard anything yet, I know the process can take a long time. It could also be that we are just back after Christmas? may have added a few extra days to notifications? 

sookiegirl

Just had a text come through. Shows they don’t always come at 8am in the morning. 

It was the we’ve received your written report of your pip assessment. 

poppy123456

sookiegirl said:

Just had a text come through. Shows they don’t all come at 8am in the morning. 

It was the we’ve received your written report of your pip assessment. 

That text can come at anytime during the day.

sookiegirl

So it seems. At least I now know they have it. 

SueHeath

Yep just the waiting game @sookiegirl can cause a lot of stress your best to stay occupied and keep your mind of it if you can. 

sookiegirl

I got a text just now to let me know I have been awarded pip. I’m super surprised as I know how hard it can be for people to claim of all disabilities. 

SueHeath

Yeahhhhhhh so happy for you @sookiegirl glad you got it - Thanks for sharing x

sookiegirl

Thank you @SueHeath. I’m so shocked. I thought it was the “we haven’t made a decision text” 

SueHeath

Ha ha glad you got it - just need to find out what level x

sookiegirl

I may call them or just wait for the letter. 

SueHeath

Yep when i got mine any back pay was in my account before the letter came, if i remember rightly the letter was a good couple of weeks later, but at least you got it darling x

poppy123456

Good news. You can ring PIP and ask what you've been awarded and they will tell you. They will also tell you when to expect any money owed into your bank, if you ask them.