PIP REVIEW, STILL WAITING!

[Queenanne20]

Dh's PIP award is due to end in April this year. We received a review form which I completed and returned by due date of 20th September 2024. I sent it tracked so know they received it, it was a large package as I included lots of evidence. We still haven't heard anything, payments are still going in to the bank account but I'm worried as what will happen when we get to the end of the award date in April. It was granted for three years and the three years will be up in April. We are Preston, Lancashire area. Does anyone have any advice?

No, this is my first review - hoping I don’t have to do one!

I think most people have to go to appeal as MRs not often successful unless you have some new medical evidence.

I'll probably do a paper appeal if needed.

@Orangesandlemons77 hi , do you have to go in front of a tribunal when you appeal , or is it done on paper , never had to do this before as a few posts say some have had a mandatory reconsideration success, it’s so stressful especially when you have a lot of health issues.
thanks

Hi , is a mandatory reconsideration best or is an appeal best , not had to do this before any advice appreciated,
thank you

You can choose and either attend in person or online, or have them do it using the papers, which is meant to be less successful.

We have our forms now, and I’m about to send it off - do people use recorded? I’m thinking that’s best?

Yes, I would send the forms by that method. It is best to have some proof that you sent the forms, even if it costs a bit more, and have photocopies, as well.

Thank you @LadyKenya I have scanned everything into a file online and so I will send recorded then.

Hi
This will be first time doing a mandatory reconsideration , do you have to get a form to fill in or do you do it on a normal sheet of paper .
thank you

You can do either, if you google form for pip mr it should come up

Just wanted to let you all know that my dh was today awarded standard rate ( same 11 points that he gets every time!) for three years. They have stated in the letter that they won't contact us until after April 2027 but I'm hoping it will be a bit longer than that, as it has been this time and went to the full three years, due to the backlog. He never gets 4 points in any of the descriptors so I think this will be the last time he ever gets awarded PIP if the new ruling goes ahead. I'm just so grateful he's been awarded it again as it means I can continue to claim carers allowance and it at least buys us a couple of years to plan what we'll do if the changes go ahead.

Fab news op, you can “breath” for a few years now

That’s great news, thanks for the update!

I’m still waiting 🥲

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting, I'm hoping you all get your awards. The planned changes of a 4 point descriptor are absolutely terrifying, this government knows full well that very few people who receive standard rate PIP get awarded 4 points for any one descriptor and I really hope they change their minds and scrap this change.

I hope that the Government does the right thing also, and realises that they have made a big mistake, and drops these planned changes for PIP. This really is not the way to save money, and the consequences for some disabled people will be far reaching.

Yes, anyone like me and dh. He had his contract ended due to his mental health issues and I had to give up my job to become his full time carer. No matter what I put on the PIP form or whatever evidence I include (this time it was, amongst other things, a letter from the CMHT and a copy of his recent social care assessment saying he needs 24 hour support and either me or one of his 2 support workers accompanying him to be able to leave the house) he never gets awarded 4 points for anything or gets awarded more than 11 points. We are just so grateful to get it awarded we don't appeal, even though we probably have good grounds to. PIP is run on fear and the only changes that needed to be made to it were to make it a less stressful process. When people like my dh have to be put in council funded care homes as there is no longer anyone at home to care for them (as carers like me will have to find jobs that will take them away from their carer duties), perhaps this government will realise what a massive mistake they have made and it will end up costing them more in the long run. They are picking on the wrong people and it is going to be an absolute disaster!

Maybe next time you can appeal- you can even appeal on the papers - I did this in the past and they gave me 4 points for MH- mine are prompting for eating and support with preparing food plus support with socialising.

It sounds to me like your DH would probably get enhanced on both at appeal. You could if you wanted to appeal this recent decision on the papers (less stress) if you wanted to - or in person if DH was up to it. As I understand it you would keep the rate you have during this time. Might be a plan if you want to ensure he gets the 4 points going forward. Or you could appeal next time it is reviewed.

{mention:Orangesandlemons77}@Orangesandlemons77Apologies, what does appeal on the "papers" mean?

When you appeal it is an online form, (easier than the actual PIP forms I found) and you can choose to attend in person, to have a video call or to have it looked at 'on the papers' meaning you don't attend and it is just decided on the paper evidence- you can write a 'submission' and there are guides on how to do that online.

I think there are sites to help for example one called Mental health and money advice - if you google PIP appeal submission you will probably find a guide.

I did this (with help) when they took me off PIP at a previous review and I couldn't face the stress of an appeal hearing- I won!- and got it back. I just got the decision notice in the post.

Could be a plan if you don't want the stress of attending (or DH couldn't cope with it) - I just explained why in the appeals form.

Honestly it felt like an easy step compared to the actual DWP / Assessors, the appeal form was easy to fill in and use. It has made me feel more confident about appealing again if needed.

You'd need to do the MR stage first but it is rarely successful, you could just ring them and ask for an MR and they will do that (you need the letter they send you to appeal) Best wishes whatever you decide!

I think it could be a good plan if you have actual paper evidence such as a letter from a specialist saying he doesn't go out alone for example and they had not given you the points for that. You would need pretty good paper evidence though I think as paper appeals are often less successful apparently.

I would also mention in the online appeals form why DH was not attending (due to MH for example)

https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal

It explains it here

Guide here to writing a submission

https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/key-topics/pip-appeals/prepare-submission

{mention:Orangesandlemons77}thank@Orangesandlemons77thank you so much for all that fantastic information!

That's Ok! Glad to be of help. I think of the appeals as the real decision makers now.

Good morning everyone ! I’ve received this message this morning. Needless to say I am now even more ill with anxiety and the fact I cannot call and ask the decision. I’m on a pin edge waiting for the letter.