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p.i.p.

sparkle110655
sparkle110655 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
edited April 2018 in PIP, DLA, and AA
Hi to you all, I have just had a letter telling me my DLA expires shortly and I need to claim P.I.P. have reeceived the form and don't know where to start !! Can I please have some advice. My disabilities are a stroke in 2003, end stage kidney failure in 2009 and 1955 I was born with a  club foot which effects my balance.Any advice would be welcome. Thank You. Sparkle 1955

Comments

  • JennysDad
    JennysDad Community member Posts: 2,299 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @sparkle110655 and a warm welcome to the community. Good to have you with us.
    Without being a benefits specialist I know that the first advice would probably be to contact your nearest Citizens' Advice Bureau CAB if you can. They can often help fill in forms on a face-to-face basis.
    We do, however, have specialist advisors here and they will be in touch with you just as soon as possible, so please, please bear with us and stay in touch.
    In the meantime if there is anything else you think we might be able to help you with, please don't hesitate to say.
    Warmest best wishes,
    Richard
  • sparkle110655
    sparkle110655 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you for your quick response Richard
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @sparkle110655
    Welcome to the community, so many members understand just how overwhelming it can be to fill in the PIP forms.

    There is a great guide to applying for PIP on the CAB site here.
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger

    Hi sparkle 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.

    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
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • GizmoTiddles
    GizmoTiddles Community member Posts: 159 Pioneering
    @CockneyRebel many thanks for yet again for good advice .
    I read the incoming mail /post and take heart in what you say .
    I have actually found today that a friend a few miles from me completed the course as an assessor ,but she decided then it wasn't for her the way we are treated by the DWP and has agreed to help me for F2F onwards .
    Will keep you posted .
    Trying to get through to dwp today was a nightmare ,their system down .? 
    Gizmo 

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