pip reviews backlog

[namedoesntmattter]

hi i was due to get a review in november last year on pip but told it had been postponed ive looked up and from what ive read theres backlogs with pip i just wondered if anybody knows how long the backlogs are as ive started to get an attitude from jobcentre staff at appointments theyre convinced theres nothing wrong with me and i will fail assessment and its time to start looking for work of course this isnt directly said but its implied and theres always an attitude i feel like im been bullied by them i was awarded pip due to anxiety and depression

DWP extended the PIP awards of existing claimants when the pandemic hit, and suspended face to face appointments for new claims. I think you made a good point about the award letter, because they’re supposed to renew it every year to confirm your award so you have proof to show for other things like blue badge etc, and a phone message is useless for that.

If you read the small print DWP put the onus on the claimant to report any change in condition, so unless you have contacted them previously to tell them that your condition has worsened, they will only backdate any increase in the award to the date you completed the review form, as they will regard the review form as your notification that your condition has changed. Hope this helps.

I completed the review form at the start of covid with the changes. It has just taken them 2 yrs to get to my claim. I was just wondering if they agree that I need the mobility component this time (Not holding my breath as she bearly asked any questions about my mobility, she was more interested in if I had pets,) if it would be backdated to when they should have done my review or if they have changed it to when they did the telephone appointment.

If you put details of a change in your mobility on your review form, and they agree that it would warrant an award the mobility component, then it would be backdated to the date you completed the review form. They always ask if you have pets - they use the fact that you have to try to say that if you can look after a pet, you can look after yourself, so goes to the care component, and if you take it for walks, then it goes towards your mobility. Same as if you drive a car - they will try to use the fact that you drive to prove that the same skills are needed to do other things (concentration, dexterity, limb movement etc). I advise people to make sure that if they drive an adapted car to make sure that they state this clearly, along with what adaptations they have and why.

You complete an application form which asks for details of your condition, and this is your chance to explain your condition and how it affects you. It’s fine that your letters talk about your health, so submit what you think are the most helpful and recent ones. Make sure you are clear on how you are affected in all of the activities they assess because they’re not really interested in the condition (even cancer) - it’s the effect of the condition they assess. If you google ‘PIP descriptors’ you’ll see what they assess and how points are awarded.

I’m sorry but there’s no other way I can ask this, so please don’t be offended. Have you been given a terminal diagnosis ? If so DWP can fast track your application and you will automatically qualify for the higher rate care component - the mobility component is awarded according to whether the cancer affects your ability to walk certain distances, and how difficult or painful it may be for you. A terminal diagnosis for PIP purposes is ‘not expected to live more than 12 months’. If you decide to apply and need any help with the application form, PM me and I’ll help however I can.

They will continue to pay you until you have a face to face assessment. This is odd, because it sounds like a phone assessment you had, but they don’t come out of the blue, you get a letter telling you the date and time. And a phone assessment is normally enough to make the decision without a face to face. There is still a backlog of renewal claims from the pandemic and the DWP are more focused on new applications at the moment, so it could be that it was just an information gathering exercise in preparation for the assessment. If your health has changed significantly since you filled in the paperwork I would ring the DWP on the number given in the letter enclosed with the review form. Tell them your health has changed and ask their advice. If they say they will sort it at the assessment, then you need to make a list of anything that’s changed - make sure you say what the change is, how it’s different from last time, and how it affects your ability to do the activities they assess.

If you are in the support group of the ESA equivalent on UC, then it’s not up to the Jobcentre staff to comment on whether you will still qualify at your next review. The work capability assessment does that, and Jobcentre staff have nothing to do with that side of things - it’s up to the assessment provider. You don’t say what level of PIP you receive, but if you’re on enhanced rate of the care component, then your chances of remaining in the support group are higher.

My experience is in this area, and I’ve known a few people who have been advised they won’t get PIP, by various disability charities and advisers, and they end up with an award, so I would apply anyway. CAB can help you complete the application form. You have nothing to lose.

This. I have a benefits background and have helped a fair few people with different conditions to get an award of PIP after their support organisations have advised they don’t qualify. You have nothing to lose.

I didn’t have an assessment for my renewal…..i filled in my review document in September 22 …..got a phone call in December from a DM…..they asked me to confirm a couple of things, then said due to the back log they were clearing as many as they could without sending on to the assessment centre, ended the call with…we will be in touch…..4 weeks later ( Jan 23) got my new award ….same as previous award….but for 4 years this time instead of 2 years the first time round

Yes, that’s what struck me as odd . Because they’re trying to clear the backlog as quickly as possible, DMs are calling claimants who have fairly straightforward claims, mainly to clarify one or two points before making the decision. This poster said she was asked a lot of questions and then told she would need to be seen by an assessor. The assessors can also do an assessment by phone but if they say she needs to be seen face to face, then it’s obviously not straightforward, so you would have thought it would have gone automatically to the assessment centre to deal with.

@Rosscameasdoody

Hi I've been looking at this thread and you're very knowledgeable about the pip process and may I ask you.

I have to fill in my pip renewal form which is quite strangely worded, I have done what I can.
I have health conditions that aren't fixable but not terminal.
I am in the support group ESA.

Apart from my prescription list I have no new information about my diagnosis and they ask you not to send in anything you've already sent in the original pip2 questionnaire for a new claim.

You wrote that it's best not to do this and I wondered if it would annoy them or complicate the renewal if I just sent them again to prove my authenticity so to speak.

Just 3 letters. I'm concerned they don't refer to your original claim and supporting evidence really.

Some people say send anyway?

Should I also mention that I am in the support group at the end?

I'm asking a good friend to write a supporting letter about how I am affected I thought this would be a plus?

Many thanks if you see this

Hi. I’ve been involved with PIP since it’s’ introduction in 2013 via consultation groups as I have a background in benefits, and I’ve volunteered my time, on and off, with a disability support group helping with applications more or less ever since.

The DWP routinely advise claimants not to send in medical evidence that they have used for a previous claim, only new medical, or other evidence that you have not used before. If you’re renewing your claim I can understand your worry that they may not link the evidence you have already provided, but they actually do, and they will also have any previous PIP assessment paperwork if you had a face to face assessment for your original claim.

If your condition has changed significantly it’s a good idea to obtain up to date medical evidence to support anything you tell them has changed when completing the review form - this can be a letter from your GP or copies of hospital letters to your GP, but you may have to pay for these. If nothing has changed DWP will refer to your original claim and either decide to renew the same level of award, or they may want to see you face to face to assess for themselves.

When you fill in the review form it’s a good idea to have a copy of your original PIP application in front of you if you have kept a copy - just to refresh your memory as to how you phrased things so you avoid contradicting yourself. Go through the form and if nothing has changed just write ‘no change since last time’. If something has changed, make sure you tell them what has changed, what aspect of your disability is responsible for that change and why. And as with the original application, give as much detail as you can.

Anyone who knows you and knows how your disability affects you can write a letter of support so if you have a good friend who’s familiar with your condition, then that’s a great idea. Also if you have carers, a copy of your care plan will also help. ESA has no bearing on PIP, so it’s up to you whether you mention being in the support group - it won’t make any difference to the PIP decision though, as the assessment criteria are different.

If you’re having any specific difficulties filling in the form or would like personalised advice please feel free to private message me and I’ll be happy to help if I can. Good luck.

I've just seen your reply thanks so much for taking the time to explain.

I will read again tomorrow and thankyou for the offer of help.

It's really lovely to hear.

Finally had a telephone assessment. It's been 7 weeks so decided to give them a call last week after reading about being able to get the report. I requested a copy as they screwed me over in the previous assessment. They said my pip award was with the case worker couldn't tell me much but did say it was getting backdated. I just assumed it would be changed to add standard mobility which is what I should have got from the beginning and was just being backdated from the last couple of months., I rang again rang yesterday and i have been rewarded again not sure what, I was in shock apparently they are back dating from when the form was put in that was in 2021. The lady was surprised it had taken so long but during covid, they extended the claims but still sent the form which was stupid as it was extended a year and then kept getting extended 3 months at a time. Well, they are giving me a substantial amount in back pay which I was not expecting but it looks like I have been awarded high-rate care and mobility this time instead of just the standard-rate care which I had before. A lovely start to a new year. There are some really good assessors they are not all bad.