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DLA to PIP

craftycarole
craftycarole Community member Posts: 3 Listener
edited April 2018 in PIP, DLA, and AA
Hi
I have been getting DLA for a number of years. Now I have a form to fill in for PIP. My medical condition had got worse but do not have that many letters from hospital to back my condition up. I have been discharged from the pain clinic and other doctors have given me an injection but when I tell them it hasn't worked they discharge me saying that they cannot help me. The PIP form is confusing as you can only give one answer. I am worried that I won't get it. Can any one help as to what I put on the form please,
Thanks

Comments

  • Lost
    Lost Community member Posts: 50 Courageous
    Hi Carole 

    First of all welcome to thus website I'm sure you will find great help here. 

    To answear your question best thing to do is fill it in as much as you can and don't lie about things. My advice would be to get doctor to write you a letter as the history of a your illness will be in record. Tell him how much you suffering day to day bases ask him to include all medications you were taking as well as still taking day to day bases. Tell him to include all treatments you have had as all thus will help you when sending forums back.

    Good luck 
  • craftycarole
    craftycarole Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you for your reply. Your advice is very helpful. I will make an appointment with my GP asap.
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi craftycarole and welcome

    Things to know about PIP

    Get face to face advice from CAB, welfare rights or similar whenever possible

    DLA and PIP use different criteria for awards

    Just because you had DLA indefinately does not guarantee you will qualify for PIP

    When making the initial phone call ask for your DLA to be taken into consideration if applicable

    When you receive your PIP2 form you can ask for an extension of two weeks to complete and return it if need be.

    It is important to understand the points system, descriptors and criteria for an award Have a look at the B&W self test

    http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php

    PIP is about how your condition affect your functionality. The "HOW"
    Medical evidence is only usefull to explain the "WHY. On its own, medical evidence will not win you an award
    Only send relevant medical evidence. More is not always better. HCP's and DM's will not spend time combing through your edition of War and Peace to find the facts.

    You do not have to squeeze your answers into the little boxes. You can type your answers on separate sheets and attach them to the back
    Just put a reference in the box to the sheets.
    You should put your name and NI on each page and number them eg. 1 of 10,
     2 of 10 etc
    Preferably attach them by punching a hole on the top left and tie together with string or treasury tag

    Most claimants will be required to attend a f2f assessment, usually at a centre.

    If you are unable to attend a centre and need a home visit, you will normally require a GP's letter stating explicitly that you cannot attend a centre and why. There must be no ambiguity.

    When you receive an appointment date you can rearrange it once only, you must then attend the new appointment

    Failure to attend will result in your file being returned to the DWP and your claim maybe closed.

    When you do attend the assessment you may take a companion for support.

    Make no special effort, be yourself

    Take your medication as prescribed

    Most people with long term conditions have learned to manage and conceal their condition. On the day you must become "disabled" for the assessor to see the real you, otherwise an incorrect assessment is likely.
    I am in no way suggesting that anyone should put on an act and pretend to be worse than they are, many people are already stressed, but at the same time it will not help if the claimant " Puts on a brave face" as my gran used to say

    If you have a home visit, the assessor is just the same as any visitor , they do not have the right to look around your home.

    If possible have a companion with you

    Keep to your normal routine. If at the appointed time you are normaly still in bed or not dressed, then, if you are comfortable, there is no reason to alter that.

    You decide which room the assessment takes place in
    Assessors may arrive early or late so be ready. Have your ID and medication list to hand.

    The assessor will be observing everything you do from the start, how you sit, stand, walk, handle items such as bags and coats.

    Don't expect them to answer many questions, they have an agenda and will want to stick to it.

    If you have a companion they can take notes.

    After the assessment you should ring the DWP and ask for a copy of the report, but wait for 3-4 days for them to receive it. Do not be fobbed off, you are entitled to it no matter what the phone jockey tells you.

    When you receive the report it will give you an indication of your possible award it is a recommendation only, it is the DM that makes the decision and it may differ.

    When you receive the decision letter, you have a month from the date on the letter to ask for a mandatory reconsideration, no extension is normally given. You can do so by phone and or letter.

    If you have received an award the decision letter will tell you what it is, how much and from when.
    If it is a new claim it will be dated from the day of the first phone call. If a change from DLA then it should be dated the day after your DLA stops. If it is a review then it should be a continuation with any back date if a higher award is given

    Look for both the end date and the "We will contact you after " date. Reviews are usually carried out a year before the end date. Some shorter awards have an end date and you will have to reapply.

    Some useful links

    https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ment-providers
     
    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/be...nd-carers/pip/

    https://www.rethink.org/resources/p


    CR



    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • craftycarole
    craftycarole Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you so much that was all very helpful. It sounds all very daunting however. But I will try to remember all of what you say.
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    There is some great information here about help filling in your PIP forms that I hope will help.
    Scope
    Senior online community officer

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