PIP claim

[Silkierabbit]

We started a pip claim for our son in January, we got made appointee in March, then got sent form returned 23 March and heard nothing since. On phone to them but 44 minutes and nobody answering. We could do with the money as I have cancer, he has just come out of hospital and LA isn't putting in place education so we have to do everything ourselves. Don't qualify for anything financial that means tested as savings but we need that to last. Thanks

The last time I called, it took 58 minutes to get through for a 1 minute call. That was my 4th attempt to get through as it kept cutting me off. Unfortunately you just have to wait. A Facebook suggested calling at 4pm.

Thanks very much. I am on 50 minutes so will keep on waiting then. Yes first one was cut off and loads cut off when applying. They said 4pm to 5pm is busiest time and avoid calling then but 2pm on a Thursday is 50 minutes and waiting.. Crazy. Good to know someone may eventually answer.

Huh we've tried many different times always the same wait and wait..and no joke I only rang to change address a few weeks ago and we waited over an hour and a half

New claims are taking between 6-8 months. My claim took 10 months, unfortunately it's not a quick thing. They are heavily backlogged PIP and DLA.

After you sent the form in (23 March) is it normal to hear nothing at all for 2 months. We got an acknowledgement on 23 March for IAS that's it.

1.5 hours yikes, I am at 1 hour now but think will need to charge phone. Answered at 1 hour 1 minute they know nothing.

I have sent them follow up letters by recorded mail, OP. The phone line is just a flippin black hole.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope it's sorted for you all soon.

They told us to phone IAS. Phoned them and it says don't phone them but they did update me when I phoned but said they had the claim as on hold due to child being in hospital. Argh. They have lifted the hold but said they may interview him, he's mute good luck with that. Asked how long would be no idea. Just said answer all phone calls.

If you are the appointee you can speak for your son. It did take quite a while for DWP to accept that ds wouldn't answer yes to them asking him if I could speak for him but finally got called by somebody who had read the reports first and must have noted his claim as such as they no longer ask for him to agree. It does take a long while so two months with no communication isn't unusual. Fingers crossed you hear soon.

Thanks very much. Yes its so frustrating with a non-verbal child and any state things, they all insist they will interview him even when they have professional reports stating he's mute. You just get that established then staff change and the whole cycle restarts.

Definitely we must have had six phone calls asking that he confirm I could speak on his behalf. They didn't grasp that answering yes was in no way easier than answering any other question and he wasn't able to do so. I hope your claim goes smoothly from now on as from the sounds of it you have more than enough on your plate already.

Thanks very much. Yes it's so frustrating, another favourite we have is we will put in on hold and try again in a month. Hmm he will still be mute in a month. Though last time he started kicking the wall and made a hole as he was so frustrated by their interview attempts when he can't speak. That seemed to get the message through but it's depressing they need to distress a child so much.

The best time to ring is at 9.00 am, when the lines have just opened and the backlog hasn't had long to build up.

But it's still quite early days for your son's application in PIP world, barely 2 months since the application went in. Waits of 4 or 5 months before assessment are not uncommon among my caseload (although I've just had a case that was freakishly quick - I rang to see if the client had a date for her assessment after 4 months, she'd not only been assessed but got the decision as well).

Imo, 6 months between application and decision is about average. It's shit, but the number of applications practically doubled last year, and it was pretty bloody slow before that. The DWP are redeploying staff who normally work on PIP reviews and renewals to try and clear the backlog of new applications.

Re the appointeeship, do you have the form the DWP issue (I think it's a BF57, but can't be sure of that) when you've been appointed? If that hasn't been received yet, then technically you're not the appointee yet; if you've got it, I don't understand why they're being awkward.

Yes we have got the appointee. I think the lady today was just talking in general terms and assumed he was verbal. They have a letter from the hospital saying he's mute and been in hospital 8 months so they said they won't be disputing he's ill but they said it's how it affects him. He should be a very clear case for the maximum as there is nothing he can do by himself but who knows if we will get stupid requests. I did with my esa on chemo though I just called them, about 2 days of trying to get through, and they changed it.

It came through mid June in the end though enhanced care lower mobility and they wrongly did not pay for period in hospital. Challenged hospital period and they are paying out as he was 16. Now just need to challenge mobility but great to have something through finally.

When i have to ring somewhere that I know will have a long waiting time I put my phone on speakerphone and keep it close while I get on with ironing or paperwork etc so I don’t waste my time