Waiting for the result of my PIP assessment

System
System Posts: 221 Online Community Programme Lead

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  • HopelessMum
    HopelessMum Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Not sure where to start but found this forum while looking at what the average wait time is after the assessors report had been received.

    I should of had a assessment during 2020, I received the standard daily living component already, but obviously covid hit so it was put off until June 2021. Buy then I started with covid on January 15th and I was bedridden for 5 months. I updated about my pre existing conditions, there wasn't much change in those but I now had long covid. It crippled me. By December 2021 I still hadn't heard anything. Then I caught covid again on Christmas day 2021 that left me with a whole load of new debilitating symptoms. I would ring up every couple of months but they just said it was in a que waiting for an assessment. I could no longer look after my child, my whole life had changed. Yet I received no help from anyone.

    I finally had my assessment on Valentines day, my report was sent to DWP the next day but I'm still waiting. The lady on the phone kept rushing me and had to cut the assessment off after 90 minutes because we'd already gone over an hour. That's all she's allowed to take for it. I hadn't told her about everything though as I would often get confused, forgetful, struggled to find words and would often forget what I'm saying, quite literally as I'm saying it. 

    I don't feel very confident though, I've already been waiting 18 months 😢
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi @HopelessMum and welcome to the community, I've just made your post into it's own discussion so it's easier for everyone to share their thoughts and support you. 

    It sounds like you've been through a really difficult time over the pandemic, that can't have been easy. I'm sorry the process has already been such a long wait for you, but we'll be here to help whatever the outcome. 

    The decision maker will take into account the form you sent to start your claim, as well as any extra evidence, plus the assessors report. They will base their decision on more than just the assessment. 

    How are things for you and your family at the moment?
  • HopelessMum
    HopelessMum Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Ok thank you

    I rang up today to inform them that my mum is now my paid carer, I vaguely remember the assessor asking about this.

    I also asked about sending my report out as I just wanted to check that I had actually told her everything because of my own memory problems. The lady on the phone today seemed very reluctant to send it to me. At first she said because it was in the later stages that it wouldn't change anything and I had to insist that I'm fully aware of that. Then she kept repeating that this isn't an award notice (again I had to insist I know that) 

    I really don't have any hope left anymore. You wouldnt believe what I've been through, or how I've quite literally begged for help from various people but not been heard or how Dr's just pass of my symptoms and say there's nothing they can do because tests come back ok-ish or the fact I've not had a single visitor in almost 2 years or the fact my autistic daughter is missing out on EVERYTHING because she's constantly stuck in the house or the fact that I got confused when doing her High School application and it didn't submit it time....this has been exceptionally hard to deal with because I seriously let her down and all her classmates found out last week and she was the only one that didn't! 

    And people wonder why I'm now depressed? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Sometimes when ringing to request a copy of the report they will refuse to send it, it really depends on who you speak to. If the person you spoke to still refused to send it just ring again and speak to someone else.

    When you ring to inform them that your mum is now your carer you do need to be careful when ringing to tell them things like this because some call centre staff will take that as a change of circumstances and send you another form to fill in. Not all changes need to be reported.
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi @HopelessMum thanks for getting back to us. Hopefully the report will make it's way to you soon. 

    I'm so sorry to hear about what's happened with your daughter's high school application, it's not easy when you have a lot of things to juggle. Has your daughter's current school been able to offer any support? 

    You might like to visit the National Autistic Society, they have a dedicated Transition Support Service, for help with transition between schools, which might be able to advise you on your next steps.

    If you're ever struggling with your mental health, please don't hesitate to reach out. Is your GP aware of the impact of everything going on? 

    The mental health charity Mind has great information and guidance on self-care for feelings of depression, if you feel you need any extra support.

    Let us know if we can help with anything else in the meantime.