PIP, No assessment

[hairyunicorn]

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

Wow. Well enjoy it, this type of shock doesn't happen very often!

Someone I know very well also got their PIP at the right rate without having an assessment, but they did submit a very comprehensive report from their consultant, and they have a disability that has been stable from birth, so an assessment wouldn't have told anyone anything else. They do have to renew it, mostly to check it hasn't got worse, but not very often. They were still VERY surprised especially as there was some admin kerfuffle at the beginning of the process that dragged on.

However, the shenanigans about the same disability with Access to Work, oh my goodness. Every time there is a change of job role or employer, there is some kerfuffle before the case gets passed to someone senior to deal with (at the point when someone actually reads the file from before). Feet have to be put down very promply and firmly and it is I am told very stressful, because of course employers don't really understand what all the faffing about at the ATW end is all about, and it makes things horrible and difficult as a new starter in a role/place.

The way they run these systems is generally beyond dreadful, and very discriminatory, even if sometimes it goes unexpectedly smoothly.

Out of interest did you file up to date ‘doctors notes ‘ or Gp records ?

Those of you intent on trying to find evidence of benefits fraud, have you thought of turning your laser like intellects towards the doings of politicians, Royals, dodgy "business" owners or other scallywags? Or are you too busy making your quiche and berry platters while obediently tweeting #Bekind and other empty slogans???

I sincerely hope some of you get to experience what it's like, one day, to be ill enough and desperate enough to have to jump through the PIP hoop circus. Illness doesn't just vanish overnight, and that especially applies to mental health conditions.

And for those of you who still don't get it, you can claim PIP and be working, even full time.

What I was referring to was the fact that you have improved. That’s what’s dishonest. I’m fully aware that it’s not means tested. But don’t let me stop you committing fraud.

Op you went wrong with the drip feed 'back to work' meant 'I was working when I first claimed then I wasn't now I am' and saying you are 'much better' - the phrasing read more like you'd managed to get away with something rather than having avoided a lengthy and humiliating assessment.

I am aware of this but most illnesses are variable. It not practical to be constantly be stopping and starting PIP.