PIP

[Imallowedthisone]

Hi, I have put a claim in for PIP on the 31/07. Had a telephone assessment on the 04/09 and had a letter a few weeks ago stating they had everything they needed to make a decision. I've uploaded evidence, my assessment was just under 2 hours and I believe they contacted my health professional.

I got a letter to say "please do not contact us there's no need" but I did phone 2 weeks ago and spoke to a gentleman to explain that my I'm on nil pay in work now and have been since 01/10. I explained the wait is making me anxious as SSP won't even cover my rent.

I spoke to another gentleman this week who did say he doesn't know what's taking so long as everything looked fine on my application and the good news was that they have everything they need. Which I already knew.

I know that there are loads of people in my position and of course don't for a second think I should be prioritised or anything I was just wondering how long people had waited?

@16 weeks wait.
If you're awarded will be back dated.

Can you claim Universal credit in the meantime?

If only on SSP could you get Universal Credit?

PIP isn't to cover loss of SSP. You should be looking at NS ESA or UC as earning replacement. PIP are taking weeks to make decisions, please don't rely on a good outcome for that to get you through, as there is a big chance you might need to challenge their decision

Wow really? I was told 8 weeks! Was hoping I'd be close. Thank you for your reply.

I might see if I'm entitled to it now, I wasn't before because I was just over the threshold but now I'm not getting anything. Thank you.

I might try that, thank you 🙏

Yeah I was told that the outcome might not be one I'm hoping for by someone I know who has claimed pip in the past. Thank you for your reply, will see if there is any other help out there.

As ever, if you want to check whether you can get UC and some help with the practicalities contact Help to Claim:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

Pip isn't a way to recover lost wages. You'll need to apply for universal credit.
Unfortunately it just takes time, it all depends on whose desk it landed on and how busy they are.

Also don't rely on pip, most people get turned down and then a MR and an appeal can take over a year.
Please apply for universal credit today if your rent is due as it takes 5 weeks to get paid by them too as they pay in arrears.

If you ring the pip payment line it tells you if you have a payment due, I found out I was approved as I kept checking before a letter or text arrived

Universal Credit is, to be fair, pretty consistent. Apply today and first monthly Assessment Period ends on 16-11-24. First payment in your bank probably on 22-11 depending on banking days. .

Obviously if there are problems like ID or verifying Housing Costs it can take longer but one month plus one week was pretty consistent during the pandemic when claims went through the roof.

What number do I phone please? Is it just the normal PIP line?

Oh wow. That is a long wait I'll get right on it. Thank you so much.

Perfect thank you very much.

If you do apppy for UC you can apply for an advanced payment pretty fast.

Yes but then op will have to repay it. If she's on sick she'd need to apply for LWRCA/LWR and thats another ball ache itself, she'll only be on basic uc till then.

Thank you everyone for your replies. My letter came today and I did not receive pip.

So sorry to hear this, how many points did they give you? It may be worth putting in a MR if it's close.

Thank you. I got 0 on the whole thing 🥺 so disappointed as I honestly thought I'd get something. I have asked them to reconsider when I got my letter through this morning and was told if the outcome is the same I can take it to tribunal. What a ball ache.

Oh bless you that's rubbish!

Did you write down about what aids you use & help you need off others day to day?

If you got nil on everything, then perhaps you didn’t fullfill the criteria. It might be best to talk to one of the voluntary organisations to look at it.

Did you fill in the form yourself? Lots of people get help to tackle those forms.

Ask them for sight of the paperwork, particularly the report from the Health Care Professional.

If you look at the activities/descriptors here what do you think the scores should be? If that's too detailed try this page https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/pip-test-form.

If you want to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) it might be worthwhile comparing their scores with your self assessment before pushing ahead. But on the other hand some folks say putting effort into an MR is a waste of time and it's just a process to unlock the door to the Tribunal.