DLA to pip

[Graphista]

Currently managing this change. Have support from advisors but I'm a bit worried that their advice seems contrary to what I'm finding online and which some kind mners have given.

Ideally I'd like to see a sample of a COMPLETED form to get an idea of how much info is expected and what info/how things are worded but I'm really struggling to find one online.

Can anyone help/advise?

Place marking for later when I’m properly awake. Ds is 16 and received DLA high rate care and low rate mobility from age 9 until this August. He received ZERO points on PIP assessment which was a shambles.

Sent off mandatory reconsideration yesterday. 20 pages long

Personally I would contact fightback and get them to help fill in the form. They can do it over the phone and do have a high success rate.

If you have had a recent ESA assessment then it’s worth asking for the medical report and using that as evidence.

Other things like Blank Times mentioned is that stuff like you wearing make up, nail polish, & looking well presented can all be assumed that you take an interest in your appearance therefore not depressed
It can also show that you have dexterity in your hands and that your able to concentrate for periods of time to put on make
Asking if you watch Tv programmes and you reply you like to watch GBBO and they will
assume that you have no problems concentrating and can sit in a chair for 30 - 60 mins
This means that you can sit at a work station and concentrate

I totally understand your sorry about forms not being detailed enough.

I'm also swapping from DLA to PIP and my brother offered to help as he is a physio and said he knew how to fill the forms in. I am blind and have a long term progressive illness.

His full answers said things like (for preparing food) can't see, blind, not safe with knife. That's where they ask if you can do it, do you need aids, do you need help, what would happen if you don't get the help. For planning a journey he put - don't go out blind can't see pavements. Etc.

I was in tears when he left and phoned DWP told them what he had done and they sent new forms out.

If you look at thr RNIB website they have a PIP toolkit. I know that's geared up for vision loss but they way they explain how to answer is really useful.

I hope it all goes well for you, its a horrible stressful time.

I said sorry instead of worry.

Ultimately PIP is different to DLA and they aren’t there to just hand out money to everyone. I get the feeling a lot of these answers are about trying to play the system which is never going to work, and you could end up with nothing. You can end up with nothing anyway if the issues you have don’t fit the criteria that are in place for PIP.

I’ve been on higher rate PIP for both physical and mental health reasons since 2012 and up until my last assessment never had any problems. I’ve always done my own forms, told the truth, gone to the assessment, told the truth, got the award and got on with my life. At my last assessment, the assessor was a complete arsehole and awarded me zero points for several things that I’d got 10 points for in the past. I asked for a copy of the assessment and the things he’d written about me were complete lies. I got a mandatory reconsideration and got some points reinstated, but I still lost a good chunk of my benefit every month.

You are basically at the mercy of the assessor on the day. I’m not trying to scare you, I’m just being realistic. Are you claiming ESA as well? Not that it helps or makes any difference but it’s extra money. @Itsjustmee I was told that they couldn’t use my ESA report.

gingersausage They will say that they can’t use ESA report it. However many things on ESA & PIP crossover with each other .
And while they won’t go and get it themselves if it’s a positive report They would probably use it against you if it’s not positive report and would help them in their assessment of you

So if you word it something like this
As you can see from my most recent ESA medical report it highlights that I have X Y Z which means I can’t do ABC and I was placed in the support group blah blah
I appreciate you may not be able to use this medical report but it confirms that I can not do XYZ blah blah
The tribunal that I have been to certainly take into account ESA medical reports and PIP medical reports
It’s always worth asking for a copy to keep for future reference regardless

They can’t exactly argue that it’s not medical evidence 😂

Sorry meant to say that the tribunals I’ve attended with friends for support take into account ESA & PIP medical reports as evidence

Tribunals look at all the evidence you submit.

DWP appear to be very selective in what they'll consider, e.g. they'll ask for your GP's details but won't contact them for any evidence, it's best you do that yourself.
Same with your DLA papers, you have to ask for them to be included.

gingersausage Unfortunately there are assessors like that. MR is still a decision carried out by DWP. Tribunals really are impartial and the success rates are rising.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/4086-pip-and-esa-tribunal-success-rates-hit-all-time-high-of-75

I get the feeling a lot of these answers are about trying to play the system which is never going to work, and you could end up with nothing
I disagree, no-one is advising anyone to tell DWP anything but the truth.

However, explaining that truth in detail is helpful because it shows how a person is affected in their daily living in accordance with the PIP criteria.

As Foodfears has explained, the way her brother had filled in her form was truthful, but nowhere near adequate enough for anyone to be able to understand her particular difficulties with those tasks.
More truthful information needs to be submitted to show exactly why a claimant cannot do the task outlined in the questions.

I get the feeling a lot of these answers are about trying to play the system

I REALLY find that an offensive comment! Especially as the system is very much biased against sufferers of mental illness and I would say is designed to prevent totally legitimate claimants from receiving what they are legally entitled to.

My son is also moving to pip. Dreading it

As it happens I am much more unwell than I was when I last contacted dwp, if anything I should have been probably getting higher rates of DLA for at least last past 3 years, but BECAUSE it's such an appalling system I didn't DARE rock the boat because even though I likely would have had my rates increased what I have experienced is that while they decide on that they suspend payments altogether and they don't always backdate it!

I took the view something was better than nothing - but as I am now HAVING to do this because they're ending my DLA claim I may as well be HONEST and describe how I am now - which is the most unwell I have ever been, I'm barely existing it's certainly not what someone could describe as a life! - and get whatever help I'm entitled to.

I'm also having to fight to get support from Nhs

when I am struggling just to make myself eat and sleep, frankly sometimes just changing lying position feels like a major effort, then actually I'm really angry that I have to fight and argue for every bit of help I need.

This is not humane, it's not compassionate or empathetic it's a bloody disgrace!

It’s not about lying it’s about preparing yourself for what they will ask you and how you answer the question .
What they look for is stuff that contradict your health problems
So you say you struggle to walk they will assess you on your mobility by getting you to walk to the office that is the furthest away so it’s more than 20 meters

Generally if you can do this you will fail the mobility part of the test right there
Even if it’s something you struggled with and can’t do every day and it wipes you out for the next two days
Or you say you struggle In social situations and meeting new people and going outside makes you anxious
They will take the fact that you got to the appointment and you have met the assessors who is new and you spoke to the receptionist as you can do this all the time
The first two questions they nearly always ask is
How did you get here
And do you work.
As from those two questions you can get a lot of info that may not match up with what is on the form
If you say that you drove they will assume you can deal with traffic, following signs and routes , general dexterity along with being able to stand , mobilise yourself in and out of the car
If you say you suffer from Agoraphobia they will generally push for a assessment at a centre rather than at your home as to them it proves you can go out

They say that they ( DWP) will contact your doctor but this is rare
So The best thing I can suggest is to see your doctor regularly at least once a year preferably twice
Every year even if you have to pay for it ask your doctor for an outline of your health problems
I wrote a short letter for my friends to give to her doctors asking if they can just outline her mobility problems and ongoing health problem. I don’t mention PIP or ESA in the letter
I also got a letter from the enablement Center confirming that she had a prescribed wheelchair

Keep a copy of your most recent prescriptions
Whenever you are called in for assessment regardless of the result ask for the medical report to keep as further evidence
Keep all evidence even if it’s old as it shows that your illness is continuous and is not getting better
And Good luck

If you contact fightback they'll do it for you. Their success rate is fantastic, look them up on Facebook. It's s charity that was set up by a solicitor who was horrified at the way people were being treated.

Benefitsandwork is a good site to go to. They have loads of info on there and files to give you examples etc. I subscribed, only £20 for a year and recently got my PIP renewed. I had a home visit because I have agoraphobia too.

So I’m back from this morning. Am so bloody angry with ds’s assessor.
The MR has gone off, 20 small pages worth.
I’m prepared to do whatever it takes and left that as my closing statement.

Ds has ASD, would be classed as high functioning. He also has anxiety, OCD and has gone from being morbidly obese to an eating disorder in 18months after losing over 6st.

I was made appointee after the DWP visit as ds is clueless about money and will not talk on the phone etc. The week of his assessment was just as he finished his final GCSE at MAINSTREAM school ( mentioned several times during the report ) and the whole thing was a shambles.

He received 0 points. Nothing.

The points he should have received for being unable to prepare and cook a simple meal would have given him 8 points alone which would have made him eligible for PIP.
She asked if he had a bank account, ds said no and money makes him feel vulnerable as he was badly bullied for his lunch money in year 7, this extended to social media threats and police were involved. I had to remove him from the school, his anxiety sky rocketed after this and the comfort eating began.
The assessor said that he can” manage complex financial budgeting decisions unaided” which is ironic seeing as the DWP think he needs an appointee.

She also said he opened a can of soft drink unaided and drank from it without being prompted. This is true but has no bearing on any descriptor. She said he goes to the gym every day and lifts weights! Ds has been going for a while, 2-3 times a week and doesn’t want to build muscle. It was interesting to point out in the MR that the gym specifically don’t allow under 18’s to lift weights for insurance purposes! So many lies.... I also quoted the National Autistic Society who I spoke to, they estimate around 70% of children with ASD attend mainstream school. Ds did not finish one GCSE, his timing is awful and he read a couple of things wrong and wrote about the wrong subject. He passed those subjects he was interested in and which had mainly coursework. He failed maths, science and history.

Assessor asked him how much change he would receive from £1 if he spent 65p in a shop. Ds answered correctly and I said that just because he can count does not mean he can manage a budget etc. I also asked my 8yr old dd the same question later that day and she too answered correctly. Does that mean she would now be capable of dealing with “complex financial budgeting decision?” And said it felt like a trick question.

I could go on and on and on...

The whole thing is a shambles.

I've had two completely different experiences of DLA to PIP transfer. DS who has more severe autism lost his award of HR care and mobility on transfer but was awarded enhanced daily living and mobility at appeal (took almost a year.
Dd also has autism, sent in the form, the following day someone phoned to ask when had she last left the house what was the school named on the EHCP and has she got GCSE's and then said they had enough information and I'd get a decision in six to eight weeks. Six weeks later got the award I thought she should have enhanced daily living and standard mobility.
They hadn't contacted any of the professionals named, the reports were education based as they were for an appeal at SENDIST.
From that I suspect a lot of it is the luck of the draw. On the phone the nurse said she has lots of professionals involved, on medication and the form evidences lots of need if that helps at all. Although ds's was the same and his needs were more severe and he was awarded 0 points.
They hadn't contacted anyone

I'm so sorry @Zoflorabore he sounds very similar to my lad just starting year 11
. It's so scary:(

Our local Mind will fill in forms
Do you have an office near you
Also you can ring up and ask to record the interview. You are allowed they can’t refuse you
You need two recorders plus tapes which have to be opened in front of the assessor.cost about £45 from Argos
When you ring up ..say you would like record the interview in case you need to take it to tribunal and need an accurate record of what was said
They know you mean business then

Ask for home assessment

If you’re still struggling with the form join fb esa/ dla/ pip support group
You can get excellent advice on there

If you can get a mh Charity workerto fill in the form and accompany you to assessment...so much the better

Does your illness mean you have to use aids and equipment and adaptations
Look at everything with an objective eye and see where you can get points

For eg..you should get full points for not being able to plan and execute a journey

You might get points for not being able to communicate...so maybe someone else ring on your behalf

Break it all apart..look for everywhere you can pick up points..you need 12 in each side..mobility and care

Do 10-20 mins at a time..and take a break

Photocopy it and send it recorded
Add your phone number and you will get a text to sayit has been received

I got refused a continuation of pip at the end of last December, put in mandatory reconsideration. This also got refused. Then put in an appeal on advice of mental health worker, also launched a new claim on the same workers advice. Received a letter on the Wednesday saying that they acknowledged my appeal and it would go to the appeal at some point in the future. Then on the Friday I received a phone call saying that if I dropped my new claim they would backpay from December until September 2020.i was actually at hospital when I received this call, the lady asked how I got there(transport from hospital) and kindly decided she would also award mobility and back pay that as well! It all depends on whose desk your form lands on!

Make notes before you answer each question
Note how long one task normally takes you..and the effort involved..how tired and anxious you feel
That might be just to fill the kettle
Never mind make the tea

"If you say you suffer from Agoraphobia they will generally push for a assessment at a centre rather than at your home as to them it proves you can go out" which shows they know sod all about agoraphobia! I'm housebound at the moment and have been on several other occasions but even when I am leaving home that doesn't mean I'm "cured" agoraphobia doesn't just mean housebound, geez even just looking at the Nhs description would be an improvement! When I'm not completely housebound I might only go out on certain days and times, only to places I'm familiar with, that feel "safe", that I know what the conditions are...

"Keep a copy of your most recent prescriptions" mine are all managed externally/electronically! They're sent to my pharmacist direct from dr, pharmacist makes them up and either dd collects or I get them delivered.

Who are fightback? I can't use benefits and work as they don't accept my payment method.

ZofloraBore wtf! So angry on your and ds' behalf that's outrageous! Unfortunately I cannot say I am surprised as I have seen reports of such lying from so many people now it's a disgrace!! How do these people sleep at night lying through their teeth like that!

I'm in Scotland no Mind up here they don't cover Scotland at all even if you call the helpline for general info if you let slip you're in Scotland they end the call!

No MH charities locally, nearest are at least an hour away and don't generally like to give support to out of their area as their resources are so tight now.

I've sent in a PM to answer you more fully dowser hope that is ok?

Just some of it VERY identifying even completely unique.

Everything takes bloody ages!

Olia12345

But it SHOULDN'T depend on who's desk it lands on! There's a shit ton of rules and regs they are supposed to ALL follow without prejudice and they should be carrying out professionally and honestly. I've yet to deal with a dwp person who is both honest and competent!

The very first time I went to claim benefits was when my ex and I split. He was an absolute shit and emptied the joint account! I had nothing and a toddler daughter to care for. I was told completely straight faced that I wasn't eligible to claim because I had been/was an army dependent!

I was actually told (still remember pretty much verbatim even after 16 years)

"Forces and ex forces and their dependents aren't eligible for any benefits"

Complete and utter bullshit! But at the time I knew no better and believed them. I wasn't thinking straight at the time and it took a neighbour telling me to speak to ssafa who were fabulous and not only set me straight but helped with other things too.

I would LOVE to know how they are allowed to get away with outright lying! They clearly have no shame!

@Graphista I don’t know why you need to be offended. If you read my post properly, I have mental health issues. I know it’s fucking biased against it. I have agoraphobia. They refused to do a home visit. Flat out refused. Then threatened to sanction me if I didn’t go to the assessment. So I went. Then I got zero fucking points for being able to engage with other people.

As I said, I’ve been on PIP for 7 years and I was trying to help. Sorry for bothering.