P.I.P. timescales...

Sunshinesusie3

kittykat17 wrote: »

Finally a real update! ATOS rang me this morning (total shock) and have arranged a home visit for tomorrow morning! Didn't expect a home visit or anything to happen this quickly but my MP contacting them has obviously had an effect. After waiting since July 2013 hopefully things are moving now and this nightmare will soon be over - well at least going in the right direction.


I would say to anyone else waiting for their assessment to get your MP involved asap.

That's my advice too! My home visit was arranged within 2 days of my MP getting involved. Completely wrong but it seems it's the only way to move things along.

Made up for,you kittykat, even though the last couple of weeks have felt like I've been waiting for exam or a job interview result it's been so much less stressful since I've had my assessment. Hoping I'll hear something this week so I don't have to call them next week. Hopefully well both be finished before the twelve month mark.

kittykat17

Sunshinesusie3 wrote: »

That's my advice too! My home visit was arranged within 2 days of my MP getting involved. Completely wrong but it seems it's the only way to move things along.

Made up for,you kittykat, even though the last couple of weeks have felt like I've been waiting for exam or a job interview result it's been so much less stressful since I've had my assessment. Hoping I'll hear something this week so I don't have to call them next week. Hopefully well both be finished before the twelve month mark.

Fingers x'd for your result Susie. I know I'll still have to wait for the report, etc, but actually getting my assessment at last is a massive weight (or wait?!) off my mind. Wish I'd contacted my MP sooner but as you said it had the desired result.

lauriee

still waiting to here anything here, supposed to have got a callback from Capita with regard to the investigation and heard nothing, been 4 months now since assessment, and initial claim October 2013, this system really needs a shaking up

kittykat17

lauriee wrote: »

still waiting to here anything here, supposed to have got a callback from Capita with regard to the investigation and heard nothing, been 4 months now since assessment, and initial claim October 2013, this system really needs a shaking up

It needs more than shaking up! You'd think that once we actually have our assessment that we'd hear quickly but no, all ATOS reports go for audit before they send them to the DWP for their decision. I don't know if it's the same with Capita but from what I've read on here once it goes to audit it can take at least 6-8 weeks to be approved and then sent to DWP. DWP say that once they receive the hard copy it should only be another 3 weeks but I wouldn't hold my breath! I hope you get a favourable result as quickly as possible.


Su

lauriee

kittykat17 wrote: »

It needs more than shaking up! You'd think that once we actually have our assessment that we'd hear quickly but no, all ATOS reports go for audit before they send them to the DWP for their decision. I don't know if it's the same with Capita but from what I've read on here once it goes to audit it can take at least 6-8 weeks to be approved and then sent to DWP. DWP say that once they receive the hard copy it should only be another 3 weeks but I wouldn't hold my breath! I hope you get a favourable result as quickly as possible.


Su

It really is driving me up the wall, I have been told so many tales by Capita, even being told report had been sent to DWP then ten minutes later being told oh no it hasn't its still on file waiting to be written up, phoned them earlier again and asked if there is any update to this investigation, to be told we will contact you by the 16th with regards to this so its wait time again

kittykat17

lauriee wrote: »

It really is driving me up the wall, I have been told so many tales by Capita, even being told report had been sent to DWP then ten minutes later being told oh no it hasn't its still on file waiting to be written up, phoned them earlier again and asked if there is any update to this investigation, to be told we will contact you by the 16th with regards to this so its wait time again

It really is a nightmare. I also found out today that if I do get a job and earn over £150 a week I will lose all my housing benefit / council tax help. Although, if I get the PIP I would get the full benefit! They don't want people to work - if I don't get pip I can't afford to work which is ridiculous! I knew I'd lose carers benefit and income support but thought I'd still get housing. I still care for my dad who lives with me, can't afford to move (even if there was somewhere round here that's cheaper than we're paying now) and now can't even afford to get a job! What a country! Sorry for the rant!

mrecuk

Rang DWP this morning to check the status of my claim. I was told that it was with them and that the average waiting time for a decision is 3 weeks (yeah right) however because there were 3 bank holidays just gone they said that they are backlogged and it will probably take a bit longer (another excuse). And to add insult to injury they said that the decision will be posted 2nd class which could take a further 10 working days to reach me. Surely if they are backlogged they would send decisions out 1st class to get them out the way quicker?

I was also told not to phone back which i thought was a bit rude (I understand that if everyone rang back there would be long queues on the phone but in my defense its their job to answer my questions so i'll be ringing them weekly anyway).

Thought i was close to finally getting this behind me but it turns out there's still weeks (probably months knowing my luck) to go before i get a decision....not happy.

kittykat17

Well, had my assessment this morning. He was here for 2 hours and was very thorough. Seemed like a really nice man, is a nurse with muscular skeleture experience, so probably qualified with my issues. He wasn't able to do a peak-flow test because the tester was faulty but said it shouldn't make a difference because he saw my respiratory difficulties for himself anyway. I know I shouldn't have but when he was finished I asked him what he thought. He said his job was only to assess and write the report but it was the DWP's decision (which I knew anyway). However, he did say that I have a lot of issues and he felt it wasn't a matter of if I get it but more what they would give me (ie, standard or enhanced in both). He said he would write the report up when he gets home tonight and ATOS would have it first thing. The next wait will then begin!


I feel so much better just having had the assessment. I know I probably still have a long wait ahead of me but it really does feel that the end is in sight!

kittykat17

mrecuk wrote: »

Rang DWP this morning to check the status of my claim. I was told that it was with them and that the average waiting time for a decision is 3 weeks (yeah right) however because there were 3 bank holidays just gone they said that they are backlogged and it will probably take a bit longer (another excuse). And to add insult to injury they said that the decision will be posted 2nd class which could take a further 10 working days to reach me. Surely if they are backlogged they would send decisions out 1st class to get them out the way quicker?

I was also told not to phone back which i thought was a bit rude (I understand that if everyone rang back there would be long queues on the phone but in my defense its their job to answer my questions so i'll be ringing them weekly anyway).




Thought i was close to finally getting this behind me but it turns out there's still weeks (probably months knowing my luck) to go before i get a decision....not happy.

Don't let them fob you off - the more you ring the quicker you'll get a response just to stop you driving the call centre staff crazy! Believe me, I'll be ringing them weely again until I get my decision. I know they send the decision out by post but I thought they also rang you. The reason for 2nd class - they're trying to save money whichever way they can! Good luck and hope you hear very soon.

Sunshinesusie3

kittykat17 wrote: »

Well, had my assessment this morning.

I feel so much better just having had the assessment. I know I probably still have a long wait ahead of me but it really does feel that the end is in sight!

Glad it went well for you, and that they turned up! It's a great feeling isn't it? I can't believe how much better I've felt since I've had the assessment. As I've said before this next wait isn't great but at least you do feel like you've moved forward and you're only having to cope with your condition without the added PIP stress. Here's hoping for a quick decision and a decent award.