If anyone has been awarded PIP recently

[WhaleOfATale]

...how long did it take between your assessment and a decision being made?

I'm hoping for a quick resolution but don't want to get my hopes up.

My renewal went through in a few weeks. I think it depends where it is assessed and whether there is loads and loads of evidence. If there is, and you've put you don't think you could manage an interview (with evidence) they do paper-based.
If you have to wait for an interview it adds another layer of waiting.
Then it might get cancelled and rescheduled.

If you don't get the decision you think you are entitled to, you then have to add time for mandatory consideration and possibly appeal.
But I think you only hear the bad stories. I've been ok both times -application and renewal.

My case was processed in about six weeks. Positive outcome, and it was my first application

New claim to decision about 5 month.

@TheGoddessFrigg did that include an assessment as that is might quick.

Oh, that doesn't sound too bad then, I'd heard horror stories of up to 12mths.

New claim to appointment has been 7wks and they've agreed to a phone consultation due to mobility issues. I haven't actually got a diagnosis yet despite seeing upwards of 25 medical professionals in the past 6mths or so, do you think that could hinder the application/decision?

It's more about evidence than diagnosis per se. So if you have prescriptions, that helps. If you have a referral, that can help. If there's someone you can put on the firm who they can contact, that also helps. For mine, it was a support worker but she was very qualified so that seemed to help.
With the phone consultation, have the form answers in front of you. Relate everything back to the indicators eg can you cook a meal reliably, safely, in a timely manner? if not, why not? relate it back to what's going on health or disability-wise.

You end up repeating yourself but that's fine.

They ask you things out of order - I think it's to catch you out. But it did confuse me because I like logic in my interactions. It helped to have the form in front of me at that point.

Thank you for the insight @SuperLoudPoppingAction , I'll make sure I have the form in front of me. Unfortunately, because of my condition, plus the 30+ tablets I take daily, I have "brain fog" so any tips like that is a huge help as I struggle to actually get my point across (as I forget half way through what my point is).

I have tonnes of evidence, medication, referrals and what conditions have been ruled out- just not an actual diagnosis yet! Fingers crossed what I have is enough and the process won't be too drawn out. Cost of living increases is enough of a squeeze without my reduced earnings as a result of this.

Less than 24 hours from submitting claim (Thursday lunchtime) to receiving letter through my letterbox (Friday morning). It was a new claim and my application was done online.

I didn’t think you could apply for PIP online?

@dustandroses I had a phone consultation. I was very lucky as the examiner guy doing it was just really nice and we got on like a house on fire! I also had thrown every single bit of medical evidence in with my application. But I think the deciding factor was that I cant walk even a small distance.

@Legofigure when you call to start your claim you are given the option to complete the How Your Disability Affects You online, the DWP emails you a link. It's new this year.

It is a recent thing but you can request an online form - much easier as you can upload documents and no risk of getting lost in the post or sitting unopened on someone's desk at DWP for weeks.

Nah.

@twointhemorning @Babyroobs Thanks for your posts, that’s really interesting. Do you know if you can request an online form for renewals?

I started a new claim in Jan. Had face to face assessment in April. Still waiting for decision.

Sorry I'm not sure about renewals.