Not sure where to put this, so placing it in familliar stomping ground for traffic...DLA to PIP.

[OrangeIsTheNewPop]

So...The Dreaded Letter came through.

I was awarded indefinite DLA about 1000 years ago. Now it's our postcode's turn for The Big Swap.

That 40 page form is horrendous! Also feeling crappy because I'm so independent, and it was headfucking to document- especially in front of DH (he filled it out for me) exactly how much help I need... we usually take the piss out of it (Oh, Orange could get lost in an alleyway, etc). Mentally draining.

Anyway, that's the "woe is me" shite over. Is anyone else in limbo atm? Can anyone give me positive stories about the process? And a ballpark timeline, please? I have all documentation to send off today- how long before the ball starts rolling? (Need to know so I don't trip up over it 😂😂).

What happens now?

Ps, I'm an absolute SWINE for unintentionally drip-feeding, so feel free to flame. Happy to give details etc.

[WankingMonkey]

Sorry I seem to have read your question as being about ESA

[MissEDashwood]

Yeah it's ESA although they said that could be back dated 3 months, so even before you've sent the forms back it could be 16 weeks.

PIP will be backdated too, to when I don't know. But they stopped paying as they didn't receive my forms. Which wasn't that bad as Motability give you £2000 and your deposit back pro rata. So if you lose your Mobility you still get that big payment.

[MissEDashwood]

Then it's a matter of finding a house and I'm away from wank face for good. He asked me every day if I've heard anything, like houses appear that magically.

[IAmNotAUserNumber]

Orange I don't think you'll have a difficulty satisfying the decision maker that you have a VI that means you need aids to assist with reading. That will give you 2 points, but you need 8 or 12 points for daily living (the care component as under Dla). So what you need to do is explain why you also need aids for some of the other activities, e.g. Cooking and washing and why these needs arise from your disability. Then, to get extra points on the reading activity, show why although aids help to a certain extent, that they don't necessarily mean you can read to a safe, acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time.
Similar for mobility, explain what difficulties you have with journeys, whether that applies to familiar as well as unfamiliar journeys.
If the application fails at first stage ask for a mandatory reconsideration and if that doesn't work appeal to a tribunal. Good luck.

[IAmNotAUserNumber]

Joffrey if your DH leaves his hearing aids at home the assessor will decide he doesn't need aids and score him zero

[emma2468]

I've just sent mine back but realised I didn't send any evidence from hospital etc as expected them to write to my nurse. Such a depressing form! I've been reapplying for DLA every 3 years but I'm dreading the move to PIP more :(

[Akire]

I put names on mine, they wrote back saying they had connected someone I had named for evidence. Not sure 1/3 it was. So they will chase up evidence.

[Rubbishatinteriordecor]

Decimal You asked about the reassessment after 2-3 years.

I initiated mine because my condition has worsened & I have deteriorated significantly & you are told to contact them
If things change.

I was told that a reassessment is exactly the same process as a new application....& they're right. It is.

Same 40 page form, same medical evidence required. You just do what you did the first time.

I sent off so much medical documents they actually told me the 14 week delay in processing my application was MY fault I also mentioned that in my previous one the advisor said I should tell them I need home assessments for my own safety....yet PIP decided I physically had to go to out for it.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

I'm trying not to worry.

I do a budget for the year, and I never (well, since 2011) figure in DLA or TC after April. We will just about manage without it.

This will not break me.

God, what a drama queen I sound!

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Well just to update- I have my ftf on Monday at 10.30. Shitting myself now!

[Akire]

Mine just asked me every question on the phone, I just repeated. She typed it on laptop. Not sure what new and exciting information they expected to gain. It was home visit she didn't ask to see wet room or any equipment or meds.

Personally she was pleasant enough, hope you get someone nice. 4 weeks And waiting for results still

[Akire]

*form not phone

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

It takes about 6 weeks apparantly...

[LovelyBath77]

I heard some people get a reassessment from which asks them if there is no change etc. but some get the full form again.

Not sure how to deal with this next year (it is till the following year but they usually start the process a year in advance so even though my PIP is till 2019 I'll probably get one next spring).

The appeal notice says the criteria I meet so will probably include that just in case (they 'lost' mine). but know they will probably refer back to their report as how things 'are' and will probably reduce the points again. And will have to appeal again. Sigh.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

I have a friend popping over on Saturday. I'll stuff her full of curry, and in return, she's going to turn into the biggest twat ever (having read the copy of my form beforehand) and try and "catch" me and DH out with questions.

What do you folks think of me actually starting a thread like that? Where we ask each other questions, and try to catch each other out? Prep ourselves properly?

DH just came up with "you've put on your form that you need help communicating with strangers (because I obviously can't read body language/see when someone is looking at me and talking, etc) yet you're communicating with strangers now on the internet-"

Good point, DH. He's not being an asshat btw- I've asked him to find reasons they could "catch me out" too!

I could answer that example easily: magnifying/accessibility software on my phone is classed as an aid, no?

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Lovely did you keep copies of your original form?

[Akire]

*AllRoads" My carer did this for me, we got questions from benefits and work site and practised being well "mean!"

So many things you just accept you need to make sure you add I use this because because Because. It's so obvious to us we think it's granted.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Akire exactly! Also, I look as if I'm looking people in the eye sometimes- I can tell where a voice is coming from.

[Groovee]

If it's a brand new claim with PIP never had DLA then you get it back dated to when you apply.

Transfers from DLA to PIP your DLA stops one month from the date on the letter. PIP starts the next day.

Apparently if you get up to 2 years then they think you could get better 3-5 years is a possibility things could improve. Over 5 years is that you won't improve. I was awarded ongoing with a review 10 years from award.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Groovee I've been claiming DLA since I was 16, and my various fostercarers claimed it before then.

I had to reapply in 2008, and was put on an indefinite award.

I'm actually pissing myself at the fact that they may believe my condition will improve! Maybe I'll get new optic nerves for Christmas! Seriously, people with autism, amputees, etc- how the fuck is their condition supposted to have a potential to improve?

Jeez febreeze!

Can I ask how your ftf was?

[Groovee]

My face to face lasted 2 hours. It was commented on how exhausted I looked at the end. The 2 ladies doing it were lovely and I was shocked at getting enhanced care and standard mobility. I was only on low rate care on DLA.

[MissEDashwood]

My GP is being a gem and is writing a report off their own back. Since the indefinite award things have got worse, so will just have to see how it goes.

I'm just applying for ESA, well the claim goes back a few months to when I was on DLA still, but been so ill it's been delayed by me. Do you get the Severe disablement ESA if you have Higher/Higher DLA.

I remember when it was incapacity, I think just by being on Higher/Higher you qualified for incapacity.

It's not that I don't want to work, it's that I can't even function as a person. It's so utterly pants, but luckily my GP has been supportive, as a lot of specialists have said there's nothing further that can be done. I've a friend the same as me in the US, she's on palliative care.

I finally got answers the other day, we're looking at tweaking a few things. Just to solve what's annoying me the most.

I'll be happy if I get ESA, to be honest if a PIP person was to see me now, I look like a scarecrow. This isn't me putting it on as you read some people saying don't want your hair, I don't go anywhere, I rarely leave lying down, this is me all the time. So no point making my hair pristine to get bed head again in 10 minutes.

I hate that people are playing the system like that, I heard one person selling used looking crutch bottoms. Why would you need to buy used looking ones if you use your crutches anyway. It makes no sense. It is an injustice to those who literally have it this shit.

I see people with lush obsessions, with pink sparkly baths. Then advocating they use hair products like frizeeze that can make your hair look greasy. It takes a lot of nagging to get me in the bath. My argument is I've not been down a mine, I'm clean. Why would anyone want to pretend to have my reality?

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

My DB gets MRC and LRM on DLA. His ESA has compoments both for "disabled" and "severely disabled". When my Care component went down to LRC (appealed, got it reinstated) I lost the "severely disabled" chunk of my IS.

[Akire]

They told you results? Mine said she didn't make decisions she wrote report and it was the DWP that make final one.

[LovelyBath77]

Yes we keep everything- in files to be copied for PIP / ESA along with forms as well. The ESA one is online so you can save it as a pdf but not the PIP one. Somehow it feels less stressful having it in folders.