Looking for some insight regarding my experience with PIP application
Hi Everyone! I hope you're doing well.
On 20th of May 2024 I started my PIP claim. I struggle with ADHD, BPD and PTSD, and I believe I also might be autistic on top of everything else (not planning to get diagnosed anytime soon, as my experience with the length of getting ADHD diagnosis put me off for a while).
On 20th of June I submitted my claim, which was very detailed (total of 20 pages in PDF). Additionally, I submitted quite a lot of supporting evidence, such as: a 7-day journal, a letter from my psychotherapist, a letter from my boyfriend, a letter from my sister, medical documentation regarding my diagnosis and medication, medical bills (therapy sessions, ADHD meds), and a few more bits from my GP (eg. a referral to musculoskeletal clinic), so I guess pretty much everything I could. I believe I should score about 25-30 points for the Daily Living part, and possibly 0-10 points (depending how they will look at it, as my mobility issues are very much related to my mental state, not necessarily to my physical state) for Mobility part.
On 24th of June I received a text message from PIP saying "we are managing your PIP assessment', so basically to let me know that they started looking into my claim.
Now, today (17th of July) I received a phone call from 'No Caller ID', and thankfully I picked up, as the lady introduced herself as someone from DWP/PIP. She asked a few questions regarding my job (what do I do for a living, how long for, what was my previous job, if I have to speak on the phone to do my job, etc), my hobbies, if I drive (I don't as I'm too anxious, and I don't have a driving licence), and I think that's all.
She was really nice and sweet, which made me feel at ease, although I was clearly nervous.
I'm not entirely sure if it's common to get that out of the blue call, and if that was actually DWP or the health assessor. I read somewhere that if it was DWP they would call from a PIP number, but if it's the health assessor they call from the private number, so if that's true, I guess that's the case.
The last, and most important bit, that made me confused, and hopeful too, is that the lady said exactly this: "I will see what I can do, so maybe you won't need to have an assessment. I can't promise anything, because it's not always possible". Now, I would assume that it's not something they would say just like that, so not gonna lie, I have my hopes up for an award without the assessment.
What are your thoughts on this? Also, when do you think I will hear from them again (either get the decision or the assessment date)? I know the timeline differs for everyone, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around this and not go crazy in the meantime….
Thank you for your help, and apologies for the length of this post!
Comments
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It would have been the assessor that rang you. Paper based assessments are rare but possible. If they have enough of information to complete the report without an assessment then they will. If not then an appointment will be sent out to you.
Once the report is eventually written and returned then a decision can take up to 12 weeks.
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Thank you so much for your response. I cannot stop thinking about this now. Hopefully I'll get some more info soon, just so I know where this is going. Have a great evening :)
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I had similar with a random phone call. I was asked to confirm my current medication and the person that called kept apologising for bothering me. She asked how I got around and I said I rarely leave the house as I struggle to keep on balance. She suggested a power chair of scooter, husband was on the call and agreed that this would be good for me. The whole call was just weird and lasted about 10 minutes. Text about 30 minutes later saying report had been written and I'll hear soon. Award came about a week later. No assessment.
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I received a text message from DWP this morning that says:
"A Health Professional is looking at your PIP claim. They will contact you with an appointment if they need to. You only need to contact us if your circumstances change."
I guess that means the assessment is required…?
It still says 'they will contact you with an appointment if they need to', and I'd rather just have a straight up info, maybe that way I wouldn't be going mad right now, thinking about it and analysing everything.
We should have a thread were we have all those text messages deciphered haha :)
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Thanks for sharing that, and I'm glad it went smooth for you!
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I've always had paper based assessments because I've always requested them with evidence as to why. The only time it's been sticky is when they contacted my GP once when they are not my primary MHcare and don't have my ttherapist's records, but it got sorted.
Like you, I also send them loads of information though not as much as you, so maybe you were correct that they have decided to do a paper based.
There are 2 stages, the first is the private company assessors report and then that geta sent back to a DWP decision maker who actually decides what award you get. Maybe the second text is the second stage where the report is now with the DWP? It certainly sounds like a standard text that they send to everyone so the content is probably irrelevant.
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@jaq245 that’s a standard text message. Most people have assessments so you should expect one of those. Paper based assessments are rare but possible.
If an assessment is needed you will be sent an appointment date and time.
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Hi everyone my name is steve and new here but I just need some advice about why I've had my pip review declined even though my health has deteriorated some what cheers
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Hi @TAFF123 - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry to read about the outcome of your PIP review. Unfortunately some people don't go into enough detail with their review forms. There's not much space on the forms either which can be off-putting.
It is best to give as much detail with a review form (you can add extra pages at the end) as you hopefully did with an initial claim form. For now you can do a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) where another decision maker will look at everything again. Do put your MR in writing; a letter is fine.
Remember PIP is not about any diagnosis, but rather how your disability affects certain activities of daily living &/mobility the majority of the time.
With your MR you should say where you think you should have got points, & why, giving a couple of detailed examples as to the difficulty you face for each applicable descriptor (as you were at the time of your assessment), i.e. when did it happen, where, what exactly happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity?
Say if you can't do an activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes you much longer than someone without a disability.
Put your name & National Insurance number on each page. Keep a copy,& get a free Certificate of Posting from your Post Office when sending it off.
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Hi thanks for that I will do as much as I can as I suffer with long covid and earlier this year was diagnosed with fybromyalga that is when I informed dwp who told me to do a review so I did and all they kept going on about is I'm still working and that's what they have based their decisions on
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Sorry to read you have long Covid & have been diagnosed with fibro. It's a shame you informed the DWP as a new diagnosis doesn't mean you have to do so. This as you now know results in a 'Change of circumstances' & having to complete a new claim form, etc.
Good luck with your MR
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That's awful @TAFF123. Have you started your appeal yet? You can read a little more about how to appeal the decision here Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK
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Hi jimm not done anything yet only got my letter on Saturday morning was advise to join this forum to get the right advise on what to do next
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Hello TAFF123
I was surprised to read that the DWP based their decision on your employment status. I want to give you some hope. I have been receiving PIP since 2018, and at that time, I was working 40 hours a week. Initially, I received just the standard daily living component. However, due to health issues that prevented me from working longer hours, I reduced my working hours to 30 per week a couple of years later and still continued to receive PIP. After my last review in 2023, my award was upgraded to the enhanced rate for both mobility and daily living for a ten-year period, and I continue to work. Many disabled people receive PIP while working, so their decision based on your employment seems incorrect.
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Hi it's just how you read their letter my wife and i explained how I deal / cope with day to day tasks and all they mention in 3 pages of rejection is I drive myself to work I drive an unmodified vehicle for work then drive myself home
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