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Original poster

PIP, No assessment

81 replies

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:42

I applied for PIP at the beginning of lockdown due to a psychotic episode which led to a mental breakdown. I was under the care of my LA's early prevention team and my social worker helped me complete the form.

I was awarded low-rate care with no mobility (which I was very grateful for). Roll on 2 years later, I am much better but still experiencing issues. I have managed to get back to work but I still have mental health issues that affect me daily.

I was asked to reapply for PIP after 2 years, I did not feel up to completing the form again, so just put 'no change' to all the questions and gave them the name of my social worker (who has now left the service). Fully expecting them to withdraw the PIP

I CAN NOT believe it, I just got a letter in the post saying my award will continue for the next 2 years, no assessment, they clearly never contacted my social worker, nothing. I am in shock but grateful.

Has this happened to anyone else? I was fully prepared to lose it due to getting a little better but No another 2 years. I'm in shock

OP posts:
onedone · 03/05/2023 15:47

Wow! Happy for you :-)

I had to fill my forms in - nothing has changed for me either - they've had them
Since September - they did give me an extra year as they're struggling with covid backlogs apparently & I'm still waiting for a decision going forwards after that year date

nirbil · 03/05/2023 15:49

I was fully prepared to lose it due to getting a little better

You didn't tell them you have improved though, you told them 'no change'.

It's not a huge surprise you have been awarded based on no change. It happens. More so now they are working through a huge backlog.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:49

@onedone Thank you and good luck with your decision.

I am just still in shock as I was expecting to loose it or for it to take ages

OP posts:
Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:52

@nirbil it's a huge surprise to me ...

OP posts:
nirbil · 03/05/2023 15:56

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:52

@nirbil it's a huge surprise to me ...

I really don't understand why.

You told them nothing had changed, so why would you lose your award based on improving?

CaloriecountMay2023 · 03/05/2023 15:58

Did you tell them you had returned to work? I would be worried as omitting this could be seen as fraud.

nirbil · 03/05/2023 16:00

CaloriecountMay2023 · 03/05/2023 15:58

Did you tell them you had returned to work? I would be worried as omitting this could be seen as fraud.

It's definitely fraud.

Saying no change when you are much better is blatant lies.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:02

~@nirbil i am shocked as mainly all you hear are horror stories from people applying for PIP. I am shocked as everyone I have spoken to has told me how hard the assessment was and have also seen lots of people who have a genuine claim be denied. I am also shocked because my award is for mental health and I honestly didn't think I would be believed. So yes, overall I'm just shocked.

OP posts:
Julen7 · 03/05/2023 16:02

You should have mentioned returning to work. Obviously there has been some improvement as you say yourself but you reported no change.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:03

@CaloriecountMay2023 I was working when i applied, stopped for a while and then went back to work.

OP posts:
YouCantTourniquetTheTaint · 03/05/2023 16:05

Yeah I did a work capability assessment, did all the forms, I was fully expecting to need an assessment, however apparently I've been awarded it and don't need to apply for work until next September.

I got PIP based on my written application too. Admittedly my applications included all my medical evidence, so I'm not bullshitting them.

I applied for both a few years ago and was rejected, this time its been a piece of piss. I think something has changed with the DWP.

CaloriecountMay2023 · 03/05/2023 16:07

I would report you have returned to work to be on the safe side as you don’t want them finding out and charging you with benefit fraud. I’d be worried sick if I reported no change when in fact there had been a change in relation to my ability to go to work. Like you said it may not change anything because you can work on PIP but you not informing them maybe seen as not declaring a change especially as you put no change. I’d be spending the next two years worrying myself to death but I am a bit paranoid about things like that.

Doggi · 03/05/2023 16:09

if things have changed I’d let them know

nirbil · 03/05/2023 16:10

There is no question about whether or not you work on the form, but in order to be 'much better' some of the answers to the questions will have changed.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:11

@YouCantTourniquetTheTaint Glad to hear your application was successful.

I supplied all my medical letters/info so clearly something has changed within DWP. Def. not complaining

OP posts:
nirbil · 03/05/2023 16:14

Nothin has changed. There is a huge backlog so lots of reviews are going through based on no change. Also if you live in Scotland it is more likely to stay the same because of the imminent migration to ADP. The DWP have to get through them and OP saying no change made it a simple one to process. There are still thousands of people waiting months to hear and just as many being turned down and having to go to MR then appeal as ever.

Trez1510 · 03/05/2023 16:26

So, you indicated no change when, in fact, you have improved. Glad your conscience is at peace with that particular lie. Fortunately, most of us wouldn't be comfortable committing fraud.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:28

@Trez1510 Thanks for your worry, my conscience is clear :)

OP posts:
ManyRiversToCross · 03/05/2023 16:32

My DS was awarded high rate for both for 4 years, no assessment, and LCWRA which we did have to go to an assessment for.

I had fully expected a fight, but his needs are blatantly obvious on meeting him (LCWRA) and well documented (pip). The main problem we now have is that he is getting so much money that he literally never spends, as he goes nowhere and does nothing.

CaloriecountMay2023 · 03/05/2023 16:34

ManyRiversToCross · 03/05/2023 16:32

My DS was awarded high rate for both for 4 years, no assessment, and LCWRA which we did have to go to an assessment for.

I had fully expected a fight, but his needs are blatantly obvious on meeting him (LCWRA) and well documented (pip). The main problem we now have is that he is getting so much money that he literally never spends, as he goes nowhere and does nothing.

It’s not means tested so it doesn’t matter how much he has in the bank unless he breaches the threshold for other benefits.

Orangesandlemons77 · 03/05/2023 17:02

I think they seem to acknowledge psychosis as severe mental health. I also have this diagnosis (I have recurrent psychotic depression) and get PIP.

Trez1510 · 03/05/2023 17:26

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:28

@Trez1510 Thanks for your worry, my conscience is clear :)

No bother as I am not worried. My conscience is genuinely clear. 😉

SchoolTripDrama · 03/05/2023 17:28

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:42

I applied for PIP at the beginning of lockdown due to a psychotic episode which led to a mental breakdown. I was under the care of my LA's early prevention team and my social worker helped me complete the form.

I was awarded low-rate care with no mobility (which I was very grateful for). Roll on 2 years later, I am much better but still experiencing issues. I have managed to get back to work but I still have mental health issues that affect me daily.

I was asked to reapply for PIP after 2 years, I did not feel up to completing the form again, so just put 'no change' to all the questions and gave them the name of my social worker (who has now left the service). Fully expecting them to withdraw the PIP

I CAN NOT believe it, I just got a letter in the post saying my award will continue for the next 2 years, no assessment, they clearly never contacted my social worker, nothing. I am in shock but grateful.

Has this happened to anyone else? I was fully prepared to lose it due to getting a little better but No another 2 years. I'm in shock

May I ask when you returned the form please? I returned my form last year and still not heard anything!

SchoolTripDrama · 03/05/2023 17:30

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 16:28

@Trez1510 Thanks for your worry, my conscience is clear :)

To be fair though, you've just admitted to committing Benefit Fraud.

thebestsellingshow · 03/05/2023 17:34

I was fully prepared for my dc to not be entitled when moving to PIP but they were awarded at a similar rate to the DLA and for 7 years! DLA was always 2. I was completely shocked but relieved not to have to fight it. The assessment was over the phone with me as appointee and the assessor was really understanding. I think sometimes it's the luck of the desk it lands on unfortunately for many.

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