PIP REVIEW - Advice needed

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JohnLFC
JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor
edited May 18 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

I had a tribunal award a few years ago and last week received a text message advising they are starting a review and to expect a form within the next 2 weeks.


At the tribunal I was awarded 12 points on mobility because I cannot go out alone, no matter if I have made the trip 50 times before or never.


I explained to tribunal that all this started because I was abused (sexually) as a child for around 2 and a half / 3 years in school by another student and severely bullied by them and his 2 older brothers, it has caused me to never have a relationship, I cannot be close to anyone outside of my family.


I have tried therapy, I take daily medication just to deal with the anxiety. I also have fibro


i do work from home, i have my own online business.


I struggle to show feelings, just mostly appear blank or cold to people.


The first time I applied I did not put my past on the form, only the issues I suffer which failed to have me awarded, nothing has changed overall just fibro pain is worse than before.


Is it worth enclosing a note to explain why I have these issues and the root cause because last time I went though over a year of hassle without money which caused more stress, although my award is set to end in January next year.


thanks for any advice

Comments

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 2,997 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @JohnLFC Gosh that is an ordeal. I would definitely recommend adding the information if this was the difference that overturned the original decision when you went to appeal last time. I hope it goes ok - appreciate it can't be nice having to discuss these things.

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    Thanks, I find it hard enough to write down but last time I had a telephone tribunal I was in tears telling it and having tell the story and then they asked questions, I was a mess for days after

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 2,997 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That's completely understandable @JohnLFC. I hope you've allowed yourself some time off from work for a few days or so to give you that space. 💛

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 354 Empowering

    Hi @JohnLFC Shocking what you went through, but I agree with Holly_Scope, as much as it will pain you, I think it would be better to add the information to your form, as it overturned the original decision. Hopefully it will get you a longer award as that is what is needed here. Best wishes for a successful award!

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    Thanks for all the advice, I will try and put some notes together but thinking about this too much makes my mood become worse for a period of time.


    I cannot step back from work as my business I provide support to customers as they request it, I have good and bad days but aim to do my best and remain strong.


    I am hoping it is a easy process on the review because having to keep giving details on how it makes feel causes deep emotional pain, when I have emotional pain the fibro pain and tiredness is worse, mainly why I try to remain calm

  • john91
    john91 Online Community Member Posts: 31 Connected

    Hello John I have been through sexual abuse myself from my own uncle for 3 years I have PTSD from it depression and anxiety I no it's very hard to talk about this John my dad was the only person I talked to about it and he past suddenly in 2017 to meningitis and the stuff I told him he took it all to the grave now I can't speak to nobody else ime going through a similar thing I made a claim for pip I have my first telephone consultation tommorow ime nervous realy stressed about talking about it as I no I will have to I got help from citizens advice to fill in my form and broke down in tears talking to her I didn't go into detail with her but she said it will help you if you explain it to them so it will gave them a better idea what's going on if you need to ask me anything feel free take care

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    Hey


    Sorry to hear you have been though something similar, I feel physically sick going into the details or thinking about it. I had my text last week to warn me my form should arrive within 2 weeks but I am hoping to get all my notes ready to just fill it all in and get it sent off to hopefully have it dealt with as soon as possible and i can try not to think about all the details again.


    I had to go to a full appeal over the phone and the person acting for the DWP was really snotty because even though I had gone though all this and explained it I was a carer at the time for my dad who was on oxygen at home 24 hours a day too and she made some real hurtful comment “it does not matter if you went though that, if you can be a carer you are fine and don’t need pip”


    the judge warned her about her comments and pointed out people can be carers and still claim pip and work.


    I am now worried sick that it will all happen again.

    I hope everything goes well tomorrow, one tip I got told is to never use the word “sometimes” when speaking to them.


    best of luck

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 354 Empowering

    It's good you both can talk about it to each other, must help in a way.

  • john91
    john91 Online Community Member Posts: 31 Connected

    John I fully understand about going into details about sexual abuse I just had to go through that sexual abuse stuff on the phone are you getting eny help with the forms I had help from citizens advice that women did sound snotty I hate them type of people

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    I will be probably doing the forms myself, I cant go out alone and currently my mum that would normally go with me is recovering from 3 way heart bypass operation making it impossible to go the CAB, I am making notes and reading them over and over making changes while I wait for the form to arrive.


    I am terrified about the whole situation, but trying to remain positive and calm to keep it as factual and stright forward and trying not to bring too much emotion into it but is very hard.


    I hope things are going well on your claim.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 354 Empowering

    I did everything for PIP myself the forms everything, you can do this too JohnLFC. What you are currently doing is excellent, then you only need to put that information on the form when it arrives. If you continue on separate pieces of paper, don't forget you need to add your National Insurance number as well as your name.

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    I plan to write on the form as much as I can while also type it and label the sections with the exact information, when it comes to writing with pen and paper I struggle due to dyslexia but I have taught myself to type, I plan to type word for word and include a note to explaim the typed info is the same as the form but as my hand writing is very poor they may struggle to read it so have included a typed copy word for word to allow them to understand my submission of information to make it easier for them to read my meaning.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 354 Empowering
  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    I found my tribunal outcome from my first award today, it said my award is until January 2026 but have my review form already, does that mean I still receive my pip until 2026 unless they increase the date at my review, my condition has went worse since the award but i am still worried about the entire process

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 6,073 Championing

    @JohnLFC I filled my PIP form in with help from local welfare rights over the phone.

    https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,132 Championing

    Hi @JohnLFC - your current award from the tribunal will continue until you get a decision on this review (even if that's later than Jan 2026).

    It might be too late to say this, but you can just type your answers out so long as you say which question it refers to, if that's easier for you. Just don't forget to put your name, date of birth & National Insurance number on each page as previously mentioned.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 2,440 Championing

    I submitted my form recently but it said if sending extra sheets put N.I number, nothing about name or d.o.b

    I hope it goes on their system okay.

    I had the usual text saying they received it.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,132 Championing

    That will probably be absolutely fine @luvpink - as your N.I. number will link to you. Fingers crossed for you with your review 😊

  • JohnLFC
    JohnLFC Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    I got a text today saying


    “We have received your PIP review form. We may contact you for more information or you may need an assessment with a health professional before we make our decision. We will contact you again if you do. You will continue to get PIP while your award is being reviewed. You only need to contact us if your circumstances change.”


    how long on average do these take, im very worried about it, filling in the form and having to list about the abuse for days after I was in a bad way with migraine, pain and feeling unwell with anxiety reliving all that in detail again.


    i have asked my local talking therapies for some appointments because the thought of it all again has put me in a dark place

    Thanks in advance