Pip application advice.
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longleggedhair
Posts: 462 Forumite
From early childhood I have suffered with a number of chronic health problems & was on DLA from childhood until I was about 20 when I voluntarily stopped my claim (well I didn't renew it) as I had, in spite of my problems, started a job which I have loved for many years.
However my health has deteriorated, quite drastically over the past year and I was finished on the grounds of ill health in the summer.
A few weeks ago I applied for PIP, and returned the forms on Monday.
Firstly I didn't have any medical evidence to hand, however from reading on here this is not necessary as the DWP will make enquiries.
I just wondered what advice, tips, etc people have. I have been out of the system for many years so I'm quite unsure what to expect.
Any ideas on timescales now (West Midlands) I understand things are a little quicker now. Thanks in advance to all.
However my health has deteriorated, quite drastically over the past year and I was finished on the grounds of ill health in the summer.
A few weeks ago I applied for PIP, and returned the forms on Monday.
Firstly I didn't have any medical evidence to hand, however from reading on here this is not necessary as the DWP will make enquiries.
I just wondered what advice, tips, etc people have. I have been out of the system for many years so I'm quite unsure what to expect.
Any ideas on timescales now (West Midlands) I understand things are a little quicker now. Thanks in advance to all.
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Comments
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I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you've misunderstood what you've read. Sending evidence to the DWP is vital as they almost never request it themselves.
You'll be sent to a face to face appointment, they're variable (to say the least) in how accurately they represent your problems.
If you're unable to work you should be applying for ESA as well as PIP. ESA is the 'income replacement' benefit, for people who can't work. PIP is for daily living and mobility costs and can be claimed in or out of work.Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.0 -
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you've misunderstood what you've read. Sending evidence to the DWP is vital as they almost never request it themselves.
You'll be sent to a face to face appointment, they're variable (to say the least) in how accurately they represent your problems.
If you're unable to work you should be applying for ESA as well as PIP. ESA is the 'income replacement' benefit, for people who can't work. PIP is for daily living and mobility costs and can be claimed in or out of work.
Thanks Ames, what's the likely impact of not sending in evidence? I've read many posters on here who've either not had letters, or not been able to afford the doctors fees & have applied and been successful. I understood it to be that in the event of the initial application, the onus was on the DWP to collect evidence.
As regards ESA, I'm looking into that presently.0 -
longleggedhair wrote: »Thanks Ames, what's the likely impact of not sending in evidence? I've read many posters on here who've either not had letters, or not been able to afford the doctors fees & have applied and been successful. I understood it to be that in the event of the initial application, the onus was on the DWP to collect evidence.
As regards ESA, I'm looking into that presently.
I'm afraid that's incorrect, it's not the DWP's job to get any evidence, Ames is right. When you recieved the PIP2 form there's a list of evidence that you can send, i know this because i've just returned this form for my daughter. Yes you may have read on here that afew people have been awarded PIP even though they haven't sent in any evidence BUT this is very rare. It's very rare for DWP to contact any medical professional. If they contacted people for evidence then the backlog would be even longer than it already is. Evidence can be anything from a dairy written by yourself, to a letter from someone that knows you well, a full list of all your prescription meds from you GP.
The chances of being refused are much higher if you don't send in evidence to support your claim. PIP is about proving that those descriptors apply to you.
Timescales vary accross the country and totally depends on backlog in your area. If i were you i'd start to at least write a diary and maybe ask someone that knows you well to write a letter for you. You can then take these to the assessment when you go.0 -
The DWP MAY make enquiries....but very often they do not.
When I recently made my PiP application I included a medical assessment that was about 10 years old (But was still relevant as it refers to a lifelong condition I have). ...I also gave the details of my current GP and specialists....the DWP used the old assessment when making their judgement, but did not contact anyone whose details I had given.
The onus is not on the DWP to gather evidence...but on you to supply all the relevant evidence.
As you have sent off your paperwork, I would now suggest that you make a determined effort to gather evidence....IF you have a face-to-face then the assessor MAY be prepared to look at it even though it was not submitted with your application.....if they do NOT accept the new evidence (which is quite likely - they can be very rigid, as they work pretty much from a set script/plan) then you will have it ready to submit when you appeal.
And do as Ames has suggested...look into ESA as well as PiP.0 -
If you're not past the deadline date for returning the form/evidence, you could ring DWP to extend the time for the evidence to be sent. Ask them to add a note on the computer that you're sending in evidence.0
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Thanks for the advice, I'll call my GP & consultant on Monday! I understood though people have difficulty getting letters etc from their GP? Plus I don't recall ever sending off evidence for DLA, they contacted my GP etc themselves, is this how PIP works?0
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longleggedhair wrote: »Thanks for the advice, I'll call my GP & consultant on Monday! I understood though people have difficulty getting letters etc from their GP? Plus I don't recall ever sending off evidence for DLA, they contacted my GP etc themselves, is this how PIP works?
That was for DLA and this is now for PIP. They are completely different, PIP is nothing like DLA was. As stated mutliple times in the above posts they very often don't contact any GP or any other medical professional for any evidence.
Here's a link for the PIP descriptors, i'd advice you to have a look at these because this is what PIP is all about. Gaining those points for an award. 8 points for Standard and 12 points for Enhanced, in either/or Daily living and mobility.
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/personal-independence-payment-PIP-assessment-points.html0 -
There's also a PIP self test that you can do. It doesn't mean you'll score those points because evidence will be needed, but it'll give you some idea.
http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php0 -
The easiest, and probably quickest, way to get evidence is to ask your GP practice to photocopy letters sent to them from your specialists. There'll be a charge, which is capped at £50.Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.0
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Hi everyone,
I,m new to the forum and just wondered how i start a new thread /post? It relates to Personal Independence Payment and i would be grateful if someone can advise on how i post a new thread as i can,t find this anywhere on the forum site? Thank you0
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