Phonecall from PIP

bookrabbit
bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 224 Empowering
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
I had a phone call from PIP yesterday, only I never answer the phone and have the ringer turned off so I didn't answer it. Then I  had a message saying they would call between 3pm and 4pm. I went and sat with my son during that time so he could answer when they called. Except they didn't. I got more and more stressed as the waiting went on. Heart racing, shortness of breath the whole works. 

My support person called them for me this morning and they said it was for a security check. But I posted my passport and other identity evidence to them two weeks ago and they saw it and already returned it so that is odd. But they said they had to do it. She got them to text me a warning first so I could know when to go and sit with my son again. It wasn't quite as bad knowing why they were calling. Anyway they called and he answered, put the phone on speaker and I answered the questions. I told them I sent my passport and she said oh yes I just need to confirm your name the first line of your address and who you bank with. And that was it. She said they will now look at my claim and write to me. All that stress for not much at all. They confirmed those details several times before when I first applied and before my assessment  on Jan 5th.

Is this extra phonecall normal?

Comments

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,784 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hiya @bookrabbit, I'm glad you managed to speak to them, as someone who also avoids phones, that sounded stressful.

    But yes, it's very normal for them to get in touch, just to confirm details. Better to be safe than sorry after all. :) 
  • bookrabbit
    bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 224 Empowering
    Thanks 👍
  • bookrabbit
    bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 224 Empowering
    This morning I got a text saying that PIP has been awarded:) I don't know at which rates, but it has been awarded:) The text said that I would get the decision letter within 2 weeks. 

    It has only been a month since I got the text saying that a healthcare professional was looking at my claim so that was a lot faster than I expected. This morning my son got the a healthcare professional is looking at your claim text so I am just hoping his claim moves as quickly. Hopefully we will hear about his assessment soon.
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    Hope it's the rates you were hoping for. If it's lower than you expect you can still put in a MR (Mandatory Reconsideration). But at least knowing you'll be getting something is good to hear!
  • bookrabbit
    bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 224 Empowering
    A payment went into my account but it wasn't nearly as much as I was hoping for, and only meant I got awarded low mobility.

    And sure enough when the decision came that was what it was. They only partly considered my ASD and ignored my physical problems almost entirely.

    My friend who was present during the assessment was scandalised and kindly took it upon herself to do a mandatory reconsideration for me because I was far too upset to do it myself.


  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    Hey @bookrabbit, good luck with your Mandatory Reconsideration! Glad your friend helped you out, I remember when I first applied for PIP and got rejected. I was far too upset myself to fill out the MR and didn't have anyone around me like that at the time. 

    We have an advice page on the stages of appeal with PIP if you'd like to read them, so you know how it should go and what to do if the MR does not go in your favour. I'd like to say, most MRs get rejected, with a small % succeeding. Around 15% I believe. Meanwhile tribunals have a much higher success rate of around 70%. So even if the MR does not succeed that isn't the end. Maybe you could read through this page, and the links to other places it provides, with your friend who is helping you?

    Here is the advice page: Appealing a DWP decision | Disability charity Scope UK

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