I survived m PIP assessment- AMA

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

And if I can be of any help to anyone, I will.

How did you go about setting this up?

Setting what up? The assessment?

Did the assessor give you any indication if you would be successful? I had one recently not had the decision as yet. I thought the lady was really kind and understanding but people keep saying it doesn't mean she will have written down what I actually said!

None. She was very professional though.

I feel that it helped to have DH there with me as a "witness".

DH suffers from what I call intermittent faults so reckons there's no point applying. I reckon there is because he can't work half the time. What do you reckon?

It's absolutely worth applying. He probably wouldn't get as much as someonr who needs constant help, but he may well get something. Take a look at the questions, and ask yourself/him if he can complete the tasks:

Safeltly
Regularly
And
In an acceptable amount of time.

*safely

Thank you!

Right. I'm a welfare advisor.
@DD2017 PIP is a non means tested, non work dependent disability benefit for people age 16-65 who need help in their day to day lives at least 50% per cent of the time. You apply by phoning a phone number, fill in a form explaining your day to day life and they may or may not assess you face to face, depending on whether they believe they have enough evidence to make a decision. You need medical evidence from a doctor/medical professional. The success rate is about 50% and you can appeal if you believe the decision is wrong. More info here
PIP
@dancingthroughthedark You can send off for the assessment report before the actual decision comes through. Just phone up the DWP and get them to send it to you. They may try to fob you off but they have to send it you (it's illegal not you) so be insistent. The assessment report should give a pretty good indication of what points you have scored. It may change so don't take it as gospel but the f2f reports are normally pretty close. Good luck [smile[
@BishopstonFaffing For someone to be eligible for PIP they only have to meet the criteria 50% of the time-this it to take into account flare ups and fluctuating conditions. On top of that, just because someone can manage something most/all of the time doesn't mean that their efforts meet the required standard to count ( for PIP) as being able to successfully complete it, iyswim. As PP said, "safely", "reliably", "as often as needed" and "in a timely fashion" are the key words. All of these phrases have quite specific meanings-for example, "in a timely fashion" means no more than twice as long as an able bodied person. It can be quite confusing- i would recommend the Benefits and Work guides if you decide to go ahead. For now, I would recommend looking at the criteria Good luck

I have bpd and degenerative disc disease I was thinking about applying but unsure if it’s worth it? Obviously my day to day life is severely affected by these conditions.

It's always worth applying. They can only say "no".

@unweavedrainbow@ brillian post. 🥀

*brilliant

How long did you wait for a decision?

Five weeks! I collected all of the evidence I could before the ftf though.

Thank you for starting this thread @AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley We will have to apply for PIP for my daughter soon as she turns 16 (she currently gets DLA) and I am already dreading it!

@unweavedrainbow Thank you for your post as well.

I just wish that it was a pointless, unnecessary thread iyswim?

Can I ask if it was for a physical or mental health issue?
Did you have lots of reports from a specialist?
Do you think there are any buzz words that they need to hear?

TIA

@fantasmasgoria1 Are you under CMHT? If yes, talk to them. They have a huge amount of experience with disability benefits in general (the vast majority of their service user either receive or have received some form of disability benefit and some point) and will be able to help you navigate the system. In general, to get PIP for MH problems you have to show that you can't look after yourself without support-however, this support can take the form of "reminders" like texts and calls, it doesn't have to be face to face. They also understand that a lot of people with MH problems are just muddling through and that quite a lot of your actions might be quite "unsafe". Be prepared, if you work or have a child, to be asked how you can work/look after the child and not yourself though. They will also ask about medication (the more, the better...) and CMHT input. It's worth trying though-lots of people with BPD get PIP, it's considered one of the more disabling MH conditions.
As for your DDD, again they want to see medication as evidence of pain (being prescribed opiates helps... ) and specialist reports, if possible. Physio reports too. If you have any ongoing accessibility needs, such as needing to sit to shower or to cook, an assessment from adult social services is a good idea, as SS gives you a nice report which the DWP like. Reports like that really help translate needs into points, iyswim.
Good luck

I was also successful. First application was 2014 and upon asking for a mandatory (?) reassessment, I was awarded higher level in both sections. I chose to Use the mobility award to get a Motorbility vehicle as I had a 3 year award. The whole process took about 9months.

After two years and one day I received a letter asking me to be reassessed ( all for my own good)and after submitting the forms and plenty of evidence that my condition was, and will be, unchanged, was asked to an assessment a week later.

The assessor this time was hideous. Utterly awful and luckily I complained immediately. My award was reduced in both sections meaning I had to return my car. I appealed successfully and this time was awarded an indefinite period of PIP.

It almost broke me. CAB saved me by assisting with the appeal for which I am eternally grateful.

I’ve been told to look forward to hearing from the DWP in 2026.

Unfortunately although the system should be rigorous and formal the reality is that it is hugely incompetent and poorly administered.

unweavedrainbow Thank you for the advice, I have rung this morning and requested a copy of the report, I just said I understood I could have one an he said yes and they would send it to me within 7 days. He was short and to the point, I had rather hoped he might give something away in the conversation so still waiting!

Well I have got my report and as expected it appears to have been written about a totally different person. I have amongst other issues agoraphobia and never go out alone yet it says I am able to go out alone every day for an hour. Is there even any point in asking for it to be looked at again. There's a lot about me being intelligent and well presented and my house being tidy and very little about my symptoms and how my various MH issues affect my daily life.