PIP

[newaccountwhodis]

Hi. New to the forum and PIP and am hoping some of the forum members can help me understand the claim process a little better, I applied for PIP in early December 2022. DWP told me that Capita had received my forms on December 9th. But i have not had a phone assessment scheduled yet. So i called Capita just to make sure everything was fine with my claim. They told me this morning that my claim "is in initial review" and that they "are requesting info from my medical contacts so they can do a Paper assessment". Is this a good/bad sign that my claim will be successful?

I understand, it’s incredibly frustrating. I would say appeal or wait a few months and reapply. PIP is a harsh world

thanks for clarifying

But everyone here has already applied and is waiting for the decision maker.
Maybe you should start an AMA.
You're not a claimant.

Can you link the new DWP PIP guidelines on that?

No worries

I know your question wasnt directed at me but here is what i think, I don't think anything has been made public on this (am talking as claimant not assessor obviously) but I looked through the info on gov.uk and found something about paper based assessments being used in certain cases, seemingly the more clear cut ones (both to refuse and to award). I will try and find the link, it was maybe a statistical review from 22-23 or similar.
I would imagine this is an effort to clear backlogs and DWP may not advertise this.
Have seen info on a Facebook group where paper based assessments are happening and these result in both awards and refusals. I think in the past paper based assessments were seen as light touch and usually ended up in awards but this isn't necessarily the case now.
As I say, I'm a first time claimant, so I'm just trying to sit on my hands and await the outcome without getting too anxious, which is really, really difficult

@AprilShowers223 can the decision maker take points away or add points on once the report is sent to them?

ARGH!!! I am on hold to PIP, but that bloody music makes me want to poop :( It is making me feel so uncomfortable :'(

(37 mins on hold, and yes I've already pooped once in that time)

So the PP who said that paper based assessments were for claimants who were identified as "struggling" wasn't being entirely accurate.

@Sara0

Yes. I know you are finding this hard but I have posted about this for you before. It's up to the decision maker, they may or may not agree with the report and that is why they are looking for more information from your nurse.

How can they agree or not agree? they haven't even spoken to the claimant?!?

@iamenougheveryday

That poster had been assessed.

Why can she not be on this thread? Surely it's beneficial to have someone who knows the system and can answer questions and help people here?

That is the inherent problem with PIP as far as I can see.
The system is designed for the claimant to fail.

The poster i was talking about has been assessed though.

@teacakie I thought maybe an assessor can give me better answers as they are in the system?

Iv been assessed from the assesor.. not the decision maker … so even if they do knock points it’s not really fair as they haven’t spoken to me.. they haven’t gone through my health records neither have they spoken to my health professionals….

They will go through your records, that is why they have requested more info from your nurse. It's the decision makers job to take all of the evidence, including the assessor report to make the judgment.

Fair enough, it is the same for everyone though.

Mine is review assessment.

Had telephone review call on Tuesday 21st February.

Received a text from DWP on Wednesday 22nd Februrary saying they had received the report from the health professional but it may take up to 6 weeks for them to make a decision.

Called them on Tuesday 28th February to tell them I had changed address and requested they send me the report.

Called them on Thursday 16th March to let them know I had not received the report and requested they send it again.

The report arrived Monday 20th March. The cover letter that accompanied the report is dated 16th March. I do not think they sent out the report the first time. The report is true to what was said in the assessment, and the nurse has understood my needs well. I agree with the points they have suggested to allocate.

Today, 31st March, I called up PIP. I was on hold for 49 minutes. I was told my case was assigned to a decision maker on 29th March (5 weeks since I received the text stating DWP received the report from the assessor), and the decision maker would be making a decision soon.

Today it is 5 weeks and 2 days since I received the text message stating DWP had received the report from the assessor.

I don't raily agree with paper babsed assessments been done for people who struggle to do a full assessment ect. becouse they know i struggle immensely with anxiety pannick attacks with talking to people i do not know and i had to do a 1 hour 28 minutes phone call assessment it was horrendous on my nerves i had my mam sat with me and it made me physically ill with stress from the day i got a appointment txt for my assessment, so i was poorly for over a month waiting for my assessment and it still hasn't gone now waiting for the outcome, how they didn't do a paper based on me is beyond me?? 😒

when i rang them yesterday they stated to me the DM only has a 3 week deadline to get back to claimants with a decision once the report is with them but due to backlogs thats why its abit later.
its naily 4 weeks the DM has had my report and seid i should hear by easter 🐣 and im now finaly getting my report sent out i was refused it sent out on 3 different occasions before.

Unfortunately it's the same for us all. I disagree with this system. I think it's unfair and judgemental.
Some decision makers disregard what the assessors write. And that is ridiculous. What's the point of having assessors?

All of which demonstrates that they're a bunch of disorganized liars.