AIBU to think claiming PIP was quick and straight foward

[scratchyfannyofcocklane]

OK I do realise that I'm probably very bloody fortunate and lucky in that from ringing to make a claim to the money being in my bank account it's taken exactly 8 weeks...
I've read so many horror stories about it taking months and claims being refused that I honestly thought I'd have do battle with appeals etc which put me off claiming for ages.
I must say that my assessor was brilliant and totally understood my condition and difficulties..
I know that won't always be the experience of others but I wanted to reassure people that the system can and does work (sometimes)
Although I've only got the lowest rate daily living the money will make such a difference to my quality of life...

That's really good to hear. It's nice to have a positive post. I'm glad the money will help.

My experience was similar OP and I was expecting it to be an awful ordeal too. I didn’t even fill the form in properly as I was too ill but I sent in all my consultant review letters as supporting evidence and that seemed to be enough.

Same here, very straightforward. I'm so grateful for it.

To be honest I think it was mainly due to the assessor as she totally got my physical condition and how it affected me. I did try to claim a couple of tears ago and got zero points because the assessor didn't word the questions in a way that was relevant to my particular condition..
It seems so unfair that it's such a lottery..

I agree, I had a good and quick experience when I claimed for DH in 2023

How long did you have to wait for your assessment op? I think maybe it varies depending on where you live? Thanks for posting though, I applied for my ds at the beginning of September, sent the forms back a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything other than a text saying who was managing the claim and that they would contact me after looking at the evidence about a week ago. I'm desperately hoping it will be straightforward.

My review was easy because nothing has actually changed but the original claim forms didn't arrive and I didn't even think to get proof of postage. I had to fill them all in again and I sent them recorded and it was at least two or three months before any money was paid.

Same here. I was given the highest rates on both elements as an ongoing award. I had a paper based assessment - I do have a lot of complex medical issues and lots of evidence. People only tend to post about the horror stories. It’s good for people to know it’s not always like that.

I got it very easily for my DD as she came off DLA. I had tons of reports though and she'd been on DLA since she was 8, don't know if that made a difference

Same here when my DH applied. Very quick, and the payments got backdated to when his problems began.

Congrats on getting PIP. I don't get the aibu though. So you're lucky and it was easier and straightforward this time around, but you had a similar horror story of being refused a couple of years ago. What's the actual aibu?

One of my colleagues had a very similar experience recently OP.

She was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy it was for her.

If you found it simple and straightforward it's not unreasonable for you to be happy about it. I know someone who had to wait over a year who would disagree but I'm sure they'd be pleased others are having an easier time of it.

to be fair, both my children's PIP were OK. I had to do a MR for my daughter's review, when she dropped down a level despite actually having 2 new diagnosis, one pretty impactfull, but that was overturned.

I first applied on August 29th and had my assessment on 14th October and got a text stating my award was approved on Monday.. Money went in the bank today

I'm glad it was so quick for you. My DS would also say it was straightforward, but it was not quick - 6 months from application to outcome. However, he has complex health conditions, provided a stack of medical information and has ended up with a 10 year light touch award at higher rate for both components, so worth the effort.

Maybe I worded it wrong? Perhaps my title should have been 'AIBU to think the pip process isn't always a traumatic experience'

Social security Scotland were a dream to deal with for dw ADP.
Unlike UC health assessment which was a nightmare and I'm not finished with them yet ,it came across as vindictive and box ticking exercise to meet their quota of knock backs.

I guess it could get harder after the review early next year, although it is already hard for many people to get it awarded. If they start linking the UC disability payment to those only in receipt of PIP, there will likely be huge numbers applying and if they don't have the assessors in place to deal with it , then wait times could end up rising hugely again.

I expected better from a Labour government..I hope they go after tax evasion with the same gusto as benefit claimants that have been overpaid,in error and the DWP can dip into your bank account.some DWP staff will be chomping at the bit to do this.

Mine was v. quick and easy too. In all fairness, my hands are bent and wonky so it's obvious I have problems. I was given a 10 year award too. I wish it could be this simple for everyone.b

LOL took us 8 months. Yep, 8 MONTHS! Was back dated though so the first payment was around £3k (edited to check that figure!)