Neighbours PIP claim and I fear I’ve let her down.

[ComebackQueen]

Hey All

I have been helping my neighbour with her PIP claim.

I stepped in because my neighbour was unable to get hold off any CAB advisors over the phone and she, due to her disability, isn’t able to leave the house much. I tried once and after 1.5 on hold, even I gave up. I do work so I can’t dedicate as much time as I would like so in the end I took the bull by the horns.

I helped fill out a very large form assisted with all her medical documents. I must say, on that evidence alone, i was confident she would be awarded as there is no reason to see her claim being turned down, obviously I don’t want to out someone’s medical information but she’s a wonderful person that’s suffering and I have stepped in to help fetch shopping when her online delivery slots aren’t available, so will do an emergency run for her with perishable items and do now collect her medication for her on my way home every month.

It has been 15 weeks and I did the automated payment line hack for her this morning and worked out they awarded her standard and low for mobility and saying her next payment is actually in March.

She hasn’t received any letters or even a text to say a decision was made but they confirmed her identity with date of birth, telephone and four digit bank account.

She appears happy she has some extra money coming in.

Also, does that mean she isn’t being awarded back dated for almost four months?
as I have worked out the rates on the presumption it’s 4 weekly.

I’ve stressed to her this may not be accurate and let’s wait for an official award confirmation but I fear I have let her down as based on the descriptors test thing we did online - it gave enhanced.

Looking at her physically too and…knowing how limited she is to do anything, I thought she would be awarded enhanced.

should I advise my neighbour to challenge this when she receives her letter, or, should she accept and look to get higher on any future reviews and do this with a proper trained professional.

I really feel terrible I couldn’t help her get what she deserves.

I don’t know if it’s because I told her all the rates and said what the test online said, that I may have got her hopes up. I feel awful.

Back payment is paid separately from the monthly payment, usually within 1-2 weeks of the claim being approved. It will be backdated to the date she first applied.

Thanks @MattDamon

Wait for the letter it should show where she got points. If you think they have awarded wrong then ask for a MR (mandatory reconsideration) and send a letter in outlining why you think 'you've only awarded Susan 2 points for Xxxx because you've said she can do but she cannot do Xxxxx' there's lots of groups on FB with lots of advice.

@notapizzaeater has nailed it. Wait till she has the letter, compare each section and if they've not calculated correctly ask for a MR

If she hasn’t been scored right then you can challenge it. I do think people often think it’s much easier to qualify than it actually is.

Getting any award is good. So standard for either isn’t bad at all. She could have 11 points for each and still get standard as you need 12 for enhanced level.

A MR can go up as well as down so unless the points are wildly out it is a risk.

I feel your pain OP, I’m currently helping my autistic GF with her. It’s taking us hours and hours and hours because I also have a disability that makes it more difficult for me. There’s just no way she could do the forms by herself though, and it’s not because she lacks the intelligence because she very definitely does not. They are just such an awful nightmare annd unless you know what you’re doing with they’re impossible. I just dread the possibility that she gets nothing, because she really should be entitled to something, and I’ll feel like I’ve failed her.

Thanks all for the helpful replies.

my neighbour received a lump sum yesterday and she’s extremely grateful.

I’ve also managed to arrange a telephone appointment with CAB - we have requested the report and they’ll recommend if it’s worth appealing. The person I spoke with seemed to think I did a good job for a complete novice to have her claim accepted, maybe not at the rate the neighbour perhaps deserves but the ‘rejection’ is usually more common, so I don’t feel so bad.

Ill let the professionals now advance this.

@ChihuahuasREvil bless you, I felt the pressure just helping my neighbour so can only imagine how you’re feeling knowing your loved one is relying upon you.

Just collate a lot of medical information to send with the application. I am by no means a man expert but if you need some help, just ask.

I found it easier to fill the form out due to my neighbour having a physical disability but I was wondering how one with a mental disability is able to answer questions that are asking about food preparation and walking etc.

If you don’t live in London, perhaps you can get through to CAB quicker than we managed with my neighbour?

I feel better now I know someone with expertise is helping rather than relying upon good faith that an assessor will understand what I was trying to convey on my neighbours behalf.

good luck and I hope your GF gets a positive result.