How does the PIP Review process differ from the original PIP application?

IMStruggling
IMStruggling Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
I'm in the process of a PIP Review now after previously having a 3 year PIP Award.  Previous to that I was on DLA but with a break in between where I applied for PIP from scratch.
My original PIP application was straightforward -- had assessment, assessment report was reasonably accurate, got awarded PIP.

With the Review process I'm confused.  Does the Health Professional doing the assessment actually read your medical evidence and form?  Do they also look at your original application and evidence?  The Review form asks you to say whether there have been any changes for you or not.  Thankfully I still wrote in detail how my conditions affect me rather than just writing "No changes."

But if someone did just write "No changes" -- I'm not clear on whether the Health Professional actually refers back to their original application.

As things stand I've been given an assessment appointment with just two days notice.  I don't see how that would necessarily give the Health Professional who's doing my assessment time to read through my original PIP application form, my PIP Review form and all the various medical evidence?  Do they in reality treat these Reviews as a totally new, fresh application?

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    All claims should be treated as new claims. When filling review forms you should never put “ no change” and nothing else. You should give as much information as possible, without telling your life story. 

    You should also include a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Then you need to give detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. 

    They may refer back to your previous assessment but not always. Yes, they should read your form and look at any extra evidence you send to support your claim before the assessment. They would need to do this to determine whether an assessment is needed anyway. 

    The reason they gave you an appointment with such short notice is because you rang to ask them when an assessment would take place. They had free slots so booked you in, which you agreed to. 

    If you kept a copy of the form you returned then have a read of that before the assessment. During the assessment try not to answer any questions with just a yes or no. Go into as much detail as possible. The assessment can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, sometimes longer. 

    Once the report is written and returned to DWP a decision can take up to 12 weeks. 
  • Virgo_
    Virgo_ Community Member Posts: 60 Connected

    hi poppy ,

    I have a assessment for my review coming up , it’s not due till Jan 2027. I’m a bit miffed that they have said they are sending forms as it’s 8 months away , but I know it’s not gonna take that long, 6 to 8 weeks at a push , so either way I don’t know why they give you the full amount of time when when you first receive pip it was 5 years now

    I feel like 👍 I’m loosing that time . I know they do it for backlogs etc . I’m a nervous wreck now , have felt sick all day and I haven’t even got the paperwork yet they just messaged to say if I haven’t received it within two weeks contact them . But if nothings changed what do I write , if anything it’s got worse . But on my last on the 1st two times ✖️ it was denied and it was only when I said I’d take it to a tribunal they rang back and said I’d been awarded 5 years , I had

    Stacks of medical evidence and I’d never sent that in the 1st place, I think when they seen it they realised how dangerous t must have affected me. Is there a chance I’d have to have a face to face appointment? They make me so anxious and sick

  • luvpink
    luvpink Community Member Posts: 4,652 Championing

    @Virgo_

    Hi @poppy123456 is no longer active on the forum.

    8 months is the normal time review forms are sent out and sometimes even sooner.

    Also some reviews take a lot longer than 6 - 8 weeks to process and others go through much sooner than that.

    You need to treat it as a new claim and write as much detail as you possibly can explaining how your disability affects you and how you feel you qualify for an award based on the pip descriptors.

    Add extra sheets if you feel you don't have enough room on the form itself and include real life examples.

    Remember it isn't necessarily about medical evidence or diagnosis but you must focus on how your disability affects you.

    If you can its advisable to enlist the support of Citizens advice or a disability advocate service who do not charge a fee.

Categories