Problems with DWP PIP phone line

[fluffythecat1]

Have received the letter advising that DS is 16 and has to come off of DLA and apply for PIP. I rang the PIP number and was cut off after 6 minutes, rang again and was answered after 20 minutes waiting, started answering the questions, then the call handler asked me to come off of speaker phone, then said that she couldn’t hear me and cut me off (!!).
I need to have DS with me so that he can speak to them, however he goes to school, so it is difficult to find a time between their opening hours of 8am-5pm when he is at home. Today I rang them at 4.30pm as soon as he was home.
Is the only option to pick him up early from school and to ring them earlier? I didn’t expect it to be such a rigmarole just to make the initial application.

Getting through can take perseverance. Don’t leave it until 4.30pm to call. Lots need more than 30mins.

If you are appointee, you can speak on DS’s behalf. He doesn’t need to be with you. Some at DWP will try to tell you otherwise, but you can stand your ground.

If you aren’t appointee and you drive, can you collect DS from school and make the call in the car? Or the same when dropping him off in the morning.

Yes, good idea. I’m going to pick him up from school next week and get straight on the phone. Have all the info ready prepared. I’m probably very naive, however I am surprised that a government department can just cut you off repeatedly, especially when they are the phone line for people with disabilities.