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?

It's always the same.
I sometimes wonder if they go on courses which teach them how to write Made Up Bollocks Reports.

Interest vid here about pip decision makers and their qualifications (or lack of)

https://www.tiktok.com/@adhdcareerwomann*/video/7244870116247112986?r=1&&t=8dBvcSLsCmg&socialsharing=v3

I got my PIp removed cause sone nurse has more knowledge and capability that my MH social work, CPN and Psychiatrist, I took them to tribunal but just befoew it got to court they called and git it reinstated and back dated. This was before covid, earlier this year the same thing happened again and I fought again, thus time though before new evidence was submitted they back tracked. They are pure chancing their luck and depending on people not having the energy or knowledge to fight.

Last time they removed mine I requested a FOI for all documentation and hand written notes, when I received them the 'nurse' who assessed me had lied on every single question and had not written down anything I said. For example I use numerous ways to temind myself to take my meds but she wrote I need no support!!

I have just submitted an application online today; does anyone know how long it usually takes before hearing about an assessment and then how long for a decision thereafter?

thank you

I think they might be trying to discourage people from ringing.

I got a bulletin at work from one of the welfare rights organisations the other day, and in one month recently a million calls to PIP had been cut off because the waiting time for an answer had exceeded the maximum "on hold" time, which I think is an hour.

They're really struggling, there has been a huge increase in the number of applications received and they've got a massive backlog. They've diverted staff from working on reviews to new claims to try and speed things up.

It can vary a lot ime. All my cases are from one county, so not a huge geographical area, and it can be anything from 2-3 weeks to 8 or 10.

That's in the SE, it may be more consistent in other parts of the country.

Someone I am helping in my area ( East midlands), we submitted her PIP form online around 2 weeks ago and she has an appointment for an assessment at the end of June . It does depend on area though.

Hi all, had my review by telephone on the 7th June. Anyone have any idea how long it’s taken for them to make a decision?
I am super nervous about it. Do they text you? I’m wondering if it’s worth giving them a call. Can anyone please advise.

Also I am in Surrey .

I had my review on 1st June, and am still awaiting an outcome also. But by the looks of my report I'm not holding my breath

Oh no, what makes you think that? It may well be okay.
I feel like that with mine too to be honest.
Good luck with it- I hope you get what you need and deserve.

On another note, how do I get a copy of the report? Is it worth calling them today to ask?

Thanks, do the assessment dates get given quite quickly after the application is made?

@Mojitosaremyfavourite yes call them today and ask for your report.
I think the way my report was written comes across like they think im contradicting myself because im unmotivated with all things 'me' yet I function for my children

My assessment was around 11 weeks after my initial application. However, I did see on one of these threads last week that someone's assessment was only 3 weeks after their initial application. Not sure that's helpful. Sorry

I wasn't sure whether to start a new thread - hope I am not hijacking someone elses - let me know if so and I will start a new one.

We are over 9 weeks waiting for a response from PIP for my husbands' review. He was initially on low-rate mobility, I think it's something like £29 a week. He then had a series of massive strokes in January. He has been left very disabled and with a visual impairment. He was due a review anyway so I sent in the forms (I am his appointee now) on 14th April. We haven't heard anything yet. I don't know what we are supposed to do. We have less than £850 a month coming in. Bills alone are over £1000 a month. What do PIP expect you to live on?! Is it worth me ringing them or will they just say to wait. We are utterly desperate.

I rang them and asked for a copy. Thus yes sending it.
I function for my children too. So I’m much in the same boat as you by the sounds of it.

The whole thing is incredibly stressful and frustrating. Let us know how you get on 💕

Hi there,

I'm so sorry they're making you wait for your husband's review result.

If you have a read through this thread you'll find that quite a lot of other people were in your position (for themselves or their partners) and as far as I recall, they all got a higher award eventually.

By all means start another thread but I have a feeling that all the answers you're seeking are on this one.

PIP reviews (from what I have gathered from this thread) seem to take longer than original claims. I don't know why that would be.

Also - it seems to depend on what area of the country you're in as to how long they take to get back to you.

If I were you I would ring them and ask what is happening.

Just a warning - I expect you know this anyway - some people do get knocked back (although from what you say your husband would be entitled to a higher award) and the important thing is not to give up.

If you're declined, make sure you do the Mandatory Reconsideration, and if they decline that, go for the tribunal. Over 70% of tribunals are won by claimants.

I had to go to one, and it was very stressful, but I eventually got PIP, almost a year after I first applied for it.

Good luck - and keep posting. Give them a ring and see what they say.

Their reports generally bear no resemblance to how things really are.
They tell lies on a lot of them, too.

My Foster son had a paper based assessment. I had sent in his EHCP from his special school for the last two years. Report (8 pages) from Educational Psychologist, physiotherapist report, speech and language report, letter from social worker setting out what he could do and couldn't do, autism report. I filled out his form by typing in great detail and giving plenty of examples. They rang and told me I had supplied sufficient evidence for a paper based review. He was awarded higher level care and higher level mobility and his award runs for 9 years.

Because they have had double the usual number of new applications over the last few months, and a massive backlog, they have redeployed staff from working on reviews to deal with new applications.

This makes sense when most reviews are routine, in-award reviews, but is a bummer when you need a review because of a significant worsening of medical conditions.

I'd give them a call OP and see if you can get it expedited on grounds of hardship, if you draw a blank with them, ask your MP to intervene.

Is the £850 a month from earnings or benefits, OP? If you're working, your DP/DH could claim new-style ESA if he's been working in the last year or two. It's not means tested, so he could get it regardless of your income. Go on to entitledto and see what else you may be able to get, even if it's only some help with your council tax.

If "bills" includes things like loan rand credit card repayments, it may be worth asking for a payment holiday until this is sorted.

See this worries me: that they tell lies.
In all honesty, they wasn’t especially helpful and said they’ll write to me with the outcome in a few weeks 🤷‍♀️
My understanding is that if you are successful they text so I am now thinking I’ve been declined the whole thing.
It is incredibly frustrating and stressful.

They can't realistically assess people unless people give detailed information about how their condition affects them and medical evidence to back it up. It is a poor process that urgently needs reforming.

They don't always text. I've never had a text from them, whether it was a successful application or they turned me down (I've had both).

They've always just written a letter.

When you say report received, does that mean the initial forms? I've made a new claim and not sure what happens and what it all means