PIP REVIEW FEAR

[Neverheather]

I'm full time carer for dh who has severe mental health issues. We've just had the dreaded brown envelope through the door and I've got to complete a PIP review for him. I'm actually sick with fear, everything depends on us getting PIP continued, it affects my carers allowance, council tax award etc I'm trying to look at it logically, since his last review, he's left psychosis team (after maximum 3 years) and is now under CMHT, he's had memory tests and failed them and I'm now his official appointee with the DWP (they assessed him at home as not being able to manage his dwp benefits). He's also had a thorough social care assessment at home and been awarded help, which we are still waiting for, but I do have a copy of the assessment and he's also been given a temporary support worker by a local charity, who visits once a week. I know it sounds like I'm picking on all the things he can't do but I suppose that's what PIP is all about, stressing the things you can't do. Has anyone any advice about completing the review, do you think he'll get awarded it again? I've had a lot of health problems myself recently and my anxiety is spinning out of control at the thoughts of him not getting PIP renewed. He's only ever received the standard daily rate, even though he can't leave the house unaccompanied (hence the support worker visiting to give me a break and provide social support for him). If I had to get a full time job he'd have to go into a care home. My mind is running away with me at the moment and I suppose I'm just looking for any words of advice. Thanks.

The PIP assessment is functional; it's about what he can and cannot do in relation to the 10 daily living and 2 mobility activities.

How long have you got to complete and return the form?

There are loads of resources out there from Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK and Mental Health support outfits.

Leave it aside for today and then take in in bite sized chunks one activity at a time.

See if CA or anyone local can help.

Try not to worry. His needs sound significant.

Thanks for the reply. We received it today and it has to be returned by the 20th, so not much time really.

@Lougle thank you, when I think about it rationally, I know his needs are significant but you hear all these stories of how harsh PIP assessors are and then there's all this uncertainty about the possibility of these "vouchers" being brought in. I don't know why I posted really, I think it was just to have an outlet as I darent let him know I'm worried.

Who filled in the form the last time? It sounds as if you would benefit from having the charity help you with the review form.

@LadyKenya I filled it in and, apart from a copy of his prescription, I didn't actually send any supporting paperwork. I tell myself I've done it before and I can do it again. That's what's so ridiculous, I'm probably getting all worked up for nothing but I don't have anyone in real life I can talk to. If I mention my worries to dh it will set him off with an anxiety attack.

Sorry to hear that you have no outlet in rl, of course it must be hard having to shoulder that burden alone. That is what is good about Mumsnet, that there are people to ask for advice, or just to vent too. It is worth bearing in mind that if you do decide to fill in the form again, that you detail the difficulties your Husband is having, as if you are explaining them for the first time. That, and sending in as much documented evidence as you have. His needs sound very high, so try not to worry.

@LadyKenya thank you. Realistically, I know no one on here can tell me if he's going to be awarded it again, I just needed to have a moan. That's good advice to write about his situation as if I'm explaining it for the first time, I did wonder if they would read his previous review form when assessing him this time, so thank you.

You did it before with only a prescription as evidence. Now you've got far more evidence to support his claim.

I don't have any experience of PIP reviews but from what you say here he really needs this support and it sounds like you have some very robust evidence. Good luck OP

There is an excellent site called Benefits and Work. There is some free stuff , but you can join for a year and there are some very good guides. Get all the documentation you can including gp records and from other agencies. My MP helped when I got bad treatment. Hopefully you will be treated fairly. Once you have had the assessment , write and ask for a copy, so you can see where you have got points in detail. I am careful not to let them put words into my mouth , which some try to. So repeat what you actually said if they twist it. Good luck

Hello
Please look up an organisation called Benefits & Work, they have a lot of great information to support you. They advice on how to complete review forms are for both individuals and professionals who support others.
Any of the organisations working with you and your husbands - use copies of their correspondence and reports to support your application and also see if anyone can help
You complete the form.
Ask for an extension if you need to.
Do you have a copy of your last application? Use the information from that too.
Good Luck and take care of yourself too x

Treat it like the first form….give as much detail….explain about at least 2 real life situations for eah descriptor….I didn’t get an assessment for my review ….just was awarded again….so can’t help with what the assessment for review was like…..lots of reviews taking ages ….so many people finding they are getting close to review date then being awarded an extra year ….that gives the dwp some leeway until thesy get round to reviews

Agree that benefits and work is excellent. A lot of professional advisers have it bookmarked.

There is no guarantee that they will read previous claim forms, so just to be on the safe side I would detail like it is the first time. If things have deteriorated since, let them know this as well, eg needing home help etc.

Thanks so much to everyone for all the replies. I'll definitely look into the benefits and work people. This has given me the boost I need to just get on with it. Thanks again for all the kind words of support.

Phone today and ask for an extension….they will give you one…and then there’s not so much pressure on you

Just going through my third review. Just as a warning, I sent my forms in January and still haven’t been given an answer. I’ve had to ring pretty much monthly and keep on at them. I will get a backdated payment if they do raise it after review and I’ve continued to get my current payments during this time (I won’t have to pay them back if they suddenly decide to reduce them god forbid). But obviously stress wise, it hasn’t helped. If you haven’t heard after 8 weeks, start ringing them! Wish I’d started then and not 16 weeks in haha!

It took nearly 10 months to hear the outcome of my dc's pip review. I just got a letter saying it's been awarded for another 6 years. No questions asked or assessments needed.

This.
if you have a copy of your first form work from that and update as appropriate.
leave nothing out and don’t play anything down. There are resources online which you can find to help work through the form.
its daunting but you have done it before, you can do it again.
best wishes xx

I understand perfectly. I have just had to do one for my daughter (posted at the last minute last week!). When she was forced to change from lifetime DLA to PIP five years ago she got 0 points and we ended up at tribunal where they awarded her enhanced care and standard mobility. I am perfectly willing to go to tribunal again if they refuse it again this time. Hopefully having won at tribunal once they will award it her this time. I put nothing had changed and a few examples. No idea how long it will take to get a reply.

I've just replied on another thread about PIP!

I had the dreaded brown envelope through in July. I was awarded 3yrs, 2yrs ago, but I understand they are so overwhelmed that renewals are being sent out a year ahead.

I have a million things wrong with me, physically and mentally, and, like your DH, have just been handed over from EIP to the CMHS.

I have help from a local charity that support people back into work or into volunteering. My contact there said 95% of renewals are accepted. She helped me fill in my form and her partner receives PIP so she knows what's what.

In her words - don't worry about it, it'll be fine.

Charlie Anderson on Youtube is very good. Lots of videos for different things. Contact details for her website are also in the description.

This is exactly what happened with us. My dc just got awarded the same after the review, no questions asked.

It did take a nerve wracking to p months though to get a response.

Not the same I know but I get the dread every time I have to do my child's dla. We rely on the dla to access his therapies and activities. The fact that your life as you know it is in the hands of some random who holds the power is terrifying. And its such a long wait to hear anything, just such a feeling if doom every time that letter lands.

Plus just filling it out is so negative and draining.

Good luck op, from what you've said you should be fine but I know what a worry it is.