PIP assessor here

[Fsj88]

Good evening

I’ve been encouraged to sign up to Mumsnet by a friend who has suggested that some people might find it useful to be able to ask a PIP assessor questions.

If there’s anything you think I can help you with, please ask away

The letters provide useful supporting evidence for a PIP claim, as they confirm arthritis related difficulties with walking, mobility and hand use, as well as the need for adaptations and walking aids. However, to qualify for standard daily living and enhanced mobility, further details would be needed about how these difficulties affect daily activities and how far the person can walk reliably. The award will depend on the PIP points scored under the relevant descriptors.

thanks for replying. it's for a lady I care for and I feel she is entitled to both enhanced rates but the issue is professionals such as drs only see her for snippets and obviously aren't watching her dress or prepare food etc. I did write a supporting letter but up the thread the OP says family/friends writing supporting letters aren't as adequate for evidence

That’s not strictly correct. The DWP’s own PIP assessment guidance specifically includes supporting statements from family, friends and carers as evidence to be considered. What matters is that the letter gives specific, factual examples of how their condition affects them. These letters may not be sufficient on their own, but they certainly shouldn’t be dismissed simply because they’re not written by a medical professional.
If you already provide care for her, keep a factual diary of what you actually do for her and why. For example, note whether you have to prompt her to wash, physically help her dress, prepare meals because she cannot do so safely, or accompany her outside because she cannot manage journeys alone.
You can also keep a record of incidents, such as falls or cooking accidents, and provide occupational therapy reports, treatment records or care plans, if she has them.

(I wonder if OP will be back?)

Hi, I've done the mandatory reconsideration part re decision and declined and now appealed the decision for my Dad as they have declined the mobility part of pip for him after several years of having it. He has a brain injury & not improving & the assessor missed out information what was told to her which is concerning. We've received all paperwork ready for appeal but waiting date. Been several months already. I've heard it could be up to 18 months! Is that true? And do you know what happens at the appeal meeting? Does the same pip assessor get involved or another pip assessor, alongside other professionals? Thank you

Here’s a question

How do you feel pip questions will change after the Timms Review?

DS is due reassessment in 2030.

My DS has LCW on UC. Not sure what it is for but he was on DLA and PIP but is better now so not any more. Will we be able to see his LCW assessment? Is it separate to PIP?

Hi, my son has just been moved over from dla. He had a paper based assessment so no phone call. Enhanced for both, given for ten years.

Will they have put in the letter if he is on a light touch review or will ot just say ten years as they have please?

Also, he scored 33 for daily living but when i've looked at the descriptors he should have scored more, is there any point or reason to appealing for the correct descriptors as he's got the highest rates for both anyway?

I have a 4 year old son who is SEN, (on path to diagnosis) and i have put every penny that I own into helping him - sold my house to fund private schooling, speech and lang therapy, play therapy. I'm struggling financially with all these costs but have never claimed any type of state benefit. Would i potentially be eligible?

Working hard to not work!

My OH is unable to work due to illness and has already been rejected for Disability Living Allowance or what ever it's called.
Can he apply for PIP if we live in Scotland?

If he gets rejected by all these agencies and is unable to work until his condition improves what is he supposed to live on?

@RaraRachael

My understanding that PIP is not available in Scotland. The equivalent is DLA.
Have you looked at ESA?

I have dissociative identity disorder (diagnosed, have weekly NHS appointments with psychologist and weekly specialist private therapy sessions) and applied for PIP giving evidence. The assessor simply wrote back to every single thing - you say XXX but I do not believe you. And awarded 0 points. I have now been waiting over a year for an appeal hearing.
I had funding from a charity to cover the specialist therapy sessions but this runs out shortly. I was hoping to claim PIP so that I can afford the private therapy.
How long is the current waiting list for an appeal?

Thanks @Ted27. He hasn't looked at ESA.

The guy from Citizens Advice he spoke to said it was much harder to get benefits if you had been working than if you've never worked in your life 😪

@RaraRachael

It does feel like that. I'm in England.
I was diagnosed with incurable cancer in February. I'm 61, worked for 35 years in the public sector, the last three years I have been a foster carer.

I can't claim JSA because I"m obviously not working at the moment. I could claim UC but I would lose the whole benefit because I have a small pension.
ESA is a contributions based benefit - when I left the civil service I had a full NI record. Foster carers are also exempt from NI so I didnt think too much about it. But, ESA requires NI to be paid in the last 2 tax years. So my 35 years of contributions counted for nothing. I was bounced between DWP and HMRC for 3 months, ended up borrowing money to pay the NI, only then to have a 6 week 'penalty ' for late payment of NI. So will finally receive the benefit from mid November - but it will be halved because I have the pension.
I did get PIP eventually because my oncologist completed an SR1 form which says I am life limited.
I'm single and thank goodness I paid my mortgage off three years ago otherwise I would be in serious difficulties

Thanks for the info @Ted27. I'm so sorry about your situation