Can MP help with PIP?

[LovelyBath77]

I wouldn't have thought so. But then I just had this lovely email from nice new Lib Dem MP who I mentioned to that they keep reassessing me for PIP and it is making my health worse. Saying she will get in touch and see if they can do it on paper instead.

Anyone know if they will listen to an MP? It is Atos, or IAS as they are known now. They messed up PIP badly last time, had to appeal which i won and then tried to 'lose' the paperwork. So I don't trust them anymore.

Yes, I think it’s quite common for MPs to get involved in this kind of thing.

They can write on your behalf, but they're more likely to be effective at the time things are going wrong rather than during the normal process. It's awful the way that claimants are treated so I hope you have an easier time of it this time.

If you've not already, ask your GP or specialist to write a letter stating there has been no change to your condition. Reassessing claimants with long term conditions at short intervals is a pointless exercise, and as you've experienced only makes your health worse.

Ok well I suppose it is already going a bit wrong as they said in their report before about interviews causing stress themselves!

GPs often don't write letters anymore just if DWP ask for them though, they did a recent form for DWP saying that though which I did enclose..

Ugh I've sent my reassessment form back this week with the latest mountain of evidence. Now I have the anxious wait to see if the disease I have that isn't being well controlled and isn't curable, has suddenly miraculously got better

That's what happened at my last review, they did that on paper also. Took all the points off, then appeals gave it back. Sigh.

There is some news re PIP reviews.

"The government says that it will end unnecessary PIP reviews from this summer.

It appears that the changes will affect claimants who get both the enhanced rates of PIP and whose condition is likely to stay the same or get worse.

Instead of a full review of their claim, these claimants will have only a “light touch” review every ten years to check that, for example, their contact or bank details have remained the same.

Claimants with progressive conditions, such as Parkinson’s and MS may be most likely to be considered. But we’re very short on detail about the changes as yet. We’ll publish more information as soon as it’s available."

More plus stats on DLA to PIP transfers on this link.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3784-20-june-2018-update?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Benefits+and+Work&utm_content=V1+June+20+2018+newsletter

On the subject of the MP, mine emailed Atos to tell them I need a paper based review and they wrote back to say maybe, they will have a look and review it. But the MPs can be helpful, think they have staff to help with these things. Worth a try if struggling.

Your MP should be contacting the Minister in charge of DWP to ask why its contractor has been so inefficient as to repeatedly loose your paperwork. They are a private company with a government contract and are failing to provide a reasonable service to tax payers.

I'm not sure if they have lost it though, the way it seems to work is Atos get the form each time you review and possibly the last assessment report, but not sure if the rest is all kept with DWP..

In my case they originally did a home visit and the Atos assessor wrote it had obviously caused stress (have a stress related MH illness) then the next one was on paper (and I thought this one would be too)

Latest is the MP has told them to look at their past paperwork (original assessment) and to take this into consideration and my medications etc (am on antipsychotics, anti-ds and strong painkillers, and would need to increase in even of an assessment) So we will see...

I can imagine the MP might well do that though Domino, they have been happy to do anything I suggest so far. They would be quite anti Atos I expect- Lib Dems.