To think 7.7cm x 3.7cm size boxes are a ridiculous size for the PIP review forms

[B0x3s]

Helping my daughter. Many sections have 5 lines of 7.7cmx 3.7cm space. It’s a ridiculous size for anybody to try and cram any amount of evidence in let alone those receiving a disability benefit.

They recommended you don't do this. You have to explain everything, again.

This! Also her conditions are fluid. They go up and down.

You can ask for extra time.
i did.

i wrote in every single box see attached sheet and then I made a word document that was like

question 1:
answer answer answer

question2:
answer answer answer

etc.

Never did that. Don't do anything now as Scottish ADP review requires ticking a box if nothing has changed.

@B0x3s Type it all then.

Interesting question.

In my case, my condition hadn’t particularly changed since my original PIP assessment, so I’d had no ‘change’ to report iyswim.

However, by the time of the review I understood the rules a lot better (thanks to the Benefits & Work website), was able to evidence my condition better (it had been a nightmare in 2020 with (a) covid and obtaining NHS records from overworked health offices, and (b) an incipient NHS App that couldn’t provide what I needed); and importantly I had a different assessor from a different company.

I went from Standard Mobility to Enhanced.

It’s a strange, disjointed system. Online claims - as with UC - would be so much better.

Yes,this.That way you have a saved copy of everything. Photocopy the front page and signature pages & clip those to your own copy to keep.

Cross-reference every Section and Question and leave a big space between each response.

Good Luck🤞🏻

Lots of people are finding they have their award reduced and/or removed entirely when they do this. It’s always recommended to reiterate as much information as you can to them.

Agreed! I think it is a deliberate policy to encourage you to keep your answer short. I always type mine, print them out and sellotape them into the space on the form. Even then, the space is often too small so
I sellitape in extra sheers.

I worked in welfare rights and always included the supporting info as a separate typed sheet(s). The boxes on the form are far too small to fit in a decent amount of detail if it's handwritten imo.

You need to explain which of your health conditions prevent you from carrying out an activity and how it stops from doing that, and also how you can't do them safely, repeatedly etc.

For each question I would write:

'XYZ has not changed - see additional sheet for further information'.

Or

'ABC has got worse/deteriorated - see additional sheet for further information'.

Then on the back my additional sheets are stapled on there and I just go through in order:

1 - additional information - I am still unable to do xyz, i still need this and that...
2 - additional information - This condition has deteriorated I can no longer do abc, theres more pain, my leg fell off, etc etc.

Whilst its nice to think you could just put 'no change' or 'this got worse' and believe they will refer back to your original application, the reality is they won't and often, they can't, because they lost that information.

It says don’t send evidence you’ve sent before but I’m worried that if they’ve lost it( diagnosis reports, lists of diagnoses,supporting letters etc) they won’t treat the form properly. So should I def not?

Should I def put change or no change in the boxes before my notes ?

Put change of it’s changed and no change if it’s not changed.

If they have said don't send it then you don't send it! Why piss them off unnecessarily? Follow their instructions carefully. If you are rushing to meet the deadline then STOP! Call for an extension and do the form properly, or seek outside help.

Should I def put change or no change in the boxes before my notes ?
You can if you want but I would/did.
No change.
Please see additional paperwork for changes in this area.

This is terrible advice. Definitely send evidence. If you don’t you run the risk of listing the award, losing a MR and ending up spending over a year waiting for a tribunal. Just send as much as you can. They are not going to get pissed off and change your award because you give detail but they might well reduce the award without. It’s a massive risk not worth taking.

I recently did DC's. I mostly wrote updates and any changes. Got a renewal after about 2 weeks for the same award, 3 years.

Is this the review?

Last time I did ds the instructions were to only write when and where there was a change or to just say “no change”

I would not re-send old evidence - the fact you had the award in the first place tells them they have seen that evidence.

I would send any new evidence of changes, and re-iterate that I have copies of old evidence if its needed, on the additional sheets.

Firstly, I always ask for an extension to give extra time to complete the form.

I tick 'change' for each section, and handwrite in each box "Please refer to attached notes".
I type a document in WORD, like this:

Question 1.
Condition 1 - my answer ....
Condtion 2 - my answer ...

(then a big space)

Question 2.
Condition 1 - my answer ....
Condtion 2 - my answer ...

I print the extra pages out twice (so I also have a copy). I write my full name (with middle names) and National Insurance number on the top of every typed sheet. I then signed and date the form when ready to send (and photocopy the whole form with my signature so I have a record).

I always include any relevant evidence that I have, even if sent before - better to do this 'just in case'.
I staple the attached sheets together and place in envelope with the PIP form.

I then post both 'Tracked' and 'Signed For' so that I know it is received!

It's a review. It says DO NOT SEND. You must follow the instructions on the form precisely or you application will fail. There is usually a box you check asking if it's okay if they can contact your GP or other healthcare professionals such as hospital consultants if they (DWP) require any further information. YOU MUST CHECK THIS BOX.

I speak as someone who has filled in lots of these types of forms over the years.

The review does not ‘fail’ if you give evidence. What nonsense. The more you give them at review the better. Regardless of what the form says. It’s far too big a risk not to provide evidence.

If your knowledge is as vast as you claim though, you would know that.

@Minimoan As you’re using Word, you can use a Header (or Footer) to include your name and NINO on every page, so you don’t have to keep writing it out by hand once it’s all printed.

I have dozens of pages so it saves my arthritic paws!

Okay go for it since you seem intent on winding the OP up. But you can't really go wrong if you follow their instructions properly.

I have never been declined.

I’m not trying to wind the OP up, I was offering what I consider to be good, sound advice regarding PIP reviews. For some reason you seem determined that your small sample size, comparatively, is the only possible outcome. Sadly for thousands of people, it’s not. You can never give too much information when making claims/reviews.

This really isn’t helping the OP.

It might be best to focus on her actual OP and match it up to advice given by reputable benefit/PIP advice sites, all of which say to send as much evidence as possible.

They also say what not to send, eg don’t appointment letters, but do send a copy of the doctor’s follow up letter about what happened at the appointment.

No PIP application ever failed due to a repeat sending of evidence. I’ve re-sent materials that were critical to my claim of having a particular condition, in case the new assessor isn’t fully aware that it exists. They get so very little time for preparation. (And material does get lost or degraded in the copying and uploading process between the DWP’s post room in Wolverhampton and the assessor’s screen, and all storage and retrieval points in between.)

Most importantly, no-one would be declined for repeat sending of evidence because that’s not how the statute operates, and it’s not how the decision-makers and tribunals operate.

I’ve never been declined either.

I did this too. Each section started on a new page, with the section header at the top (so when renewing, if they've changed the order of the questions i can just cut and paste).

I know you want to get it sent, but I'd just get what you can done today then call tomorrow and ask for an extension due to all the bank hols. Then you've got Easter to finish it, and send it.