P.I.P. timescales...

Sunshinesusie3

Haven't had much strength/energy to post but felt I needed to add encouragement to anybody who doesn't get what they expected to ask for an MR. It was anecdotally claimed (and maybe proven?) in the early days of DLA that to manage the number of claims a lot claims were rejected on the first application that were then granted on appeal/second app. It has been well documented that the cost of DLA was becoming excessive and PIP has been brought in to reduce costs. I'm of the opinion that a number of claims will therefore be turned down with the hope that an MR/appeal will not be made. Unfortunately it will be inevitable that some people will just fall short of points on descriptors regardless of how difficult they find managing their condition. My heart goes out to anybody that this happens to.

It's been good to hear that not everybody's claims one here have been turned down and that the long wait, especially that horrendous one when it gets to DWP, is over. As to what they say to you whilst you're waiting for the decision- I'd suggest taking it all with a pinch of salt. It's become apparent that the DWP is completely over stretched - they don't have the time to fully train operatives up, have recruited short term contract staff and seconded staff from other departments. Who answers your call and from which part of the country is pot luck, what they then will go on to tell you is even more pot luck! The bit nobody seems to appreciate is the impact it has on your day to day life.
To those still waiting good luck I hope the end is in sight.

lovely_lea

Hi all,

Been a bit of a lurker on site but ive read through every one of the posts on this thread (it took a while!) and been with you all through your endless waiting so thought id share a little of my PIP story.

Applied 12th November, forms filled out and back by 23rd Nov, finally had f2f on 24/06/14, audited and returned to DWP on 2/7 and now hopefully on the final stretch waiting for a decision. Been quite a wait for me, but not as long as some of you. My mum is doing weekly calls to me as i struggle on the phone but wonder if she should up it to daily now that we're into the 4th week since DWP recieved the report? Also, would now be too late to start involving our MP to speed things up?

I suffer with depression, anxiety, mild agrophobia at times (didnt leave the house for 16 days after f2f) and also have arthritus and a rare skin condition called Hidradenitis Supparativa which is an autoimmune disease so im constantly worn out and weak.

Hope those that are waiting get an answer soon, and those that disagree with a decision get the answer they deserve. Im so tired of waiting and the stress it puts on me and those around me. This payment is meant to help us to maintain our independence but while waiting for the powers that be to play god with our lives we lose all independence and have to rely on those around us to pick up the slack, mentally, emotionally and financially leaving us feeling like a burden. Thank IDS!

lemontart

confused - so much to read - what is the process after f2f - do dwp call or write to inform of an award? just been 2 1/2 weeks since f2f 34 plus weeks since application

Sunshinesusie3

lemontart wrote: »

confused - so much to read - what is the process after f2f - do dwp call or write to inform of an award? just been 2 1/2 weeks since f2f 34 plus weeks since application

It seems to be inconsistent some have been called others not. From what I can discern the aim is to call everybody to explain the award but I don't think they have the man hours to do this so they're mostly calling people who haven't been awarded.

Everybody gets a letter. This outlines how the decisions have been made against each qualifying descriptor. It is also what you use as prove of award for other passport benefits (carers allowance, blue badge application, disabled rail card etc).

My award letter came 6 weeks and 3 days after my f2f. Though I'd found out about my award 6 days earlier when I'd called DWP for an update and the operative read out the summary of the award letter to me. Seems to be about the norm. Hope this helps.

Caza143

Thanks kitkat17
I am wondering if anyone can help me at this point we've both worked full time I left 3 years ago my husband cut down his hours then left to care for me so we had to claim esa from sept I was awarded may
Then I got pip awarded last week and applied for carers as this is what I was told too do but now I've just been told to cancel it as dwp will pay a severe disability premium which is better I know this isn't relevant to timescales but I am just hoping someone on here has looked into this. It's all confusing now

Sunshinesusie3

Caza143 wrote: »

Thanks kitkat17
I am wondering if anyone can help me at this point we've both worked full time I left 3 years ago my husband cut down his hours then left to care for me so we had to claim esa from sept I was awarded may
Then I got pip awarded last week and applied for carers as this is what I was told too do but now I've just been told to cancel it as dwp will pay a severe disability premium which is better I know this isn't relevant to timescales but I am just hoping someone on here has looked into this. It's all confusing now

We're in similar circumstances but I was told that we'll be better off by £34 something a week plus husband will be able to earn up to £101 per week.
The way it works is your benefit is reduced by the amount your claim currently apportions to your husband but then gives you some back because he gets carers allowance or something. I've been told this by DWP benefits advisor, read it somewhere on here and seen it on one of those online benefit calculators. If you're still unsure check out work and benefits website and/or contact welfare adviser.
My husband is self employed, but he's hardly worked since I've been unwell, even so I usually do his books but have not had the energy to do them but will have to for carers allowance claim. Can't believe how much the PIP claim took out of me. One good thing though I thought my PIP was just til nov 2015, checking claim for my blue badge application saw it was to nov 2016. Bonus!

Caza143

Sunshinesusie3 wrote: »

We're in similar circumstances but I was told that we'll be better off by £34 something a week plus husband will be able to earn up to £101 per week.
The way it works is your benefit is reduced by the amount your claim currently apportions to your husband but then gives you some back because he gets carers allowance or something. I've been told this by DWP benefits advisor, read it somewhere on here and seen it on one of those online benefit calculators. If you're still unsure check out work and benefits website and/or contact welfare adviser.
My husband is self employed, but he's hardly worked since I've been unwell, even so I usually do his books but have not had the energy to do them but will have to for carers allowance claim. Can't believe how much the PIP claim took out of me. One good thing though I thought my PIP was just til nov 2015, checking claim for my blue badge application saw it was to nov 2016. Bonus!

Thank you for that I don't even know how to apply for the blue badge (thats going to be a godsend ) I agree it takes it out of you I've been in so much pain yesterday and today all my meds are at there highest and not eating just drained with it all. Mine is till dec 16 I thought it would be a year so that was a nice surprise I really don't know how my life will change by then I just hope
It's better and gain some independence back. . I will ring welfare rights Monday and speak to them x

Indie_Kid

Caza143 wrote: »

Thanks kitkat17
I am wondering if anyone can help me at this point we've both worked full time I left 3 years ago my husband cut down his hours then left to care for me so we had to claim esa from sept I was awarded may
Then I got pip awarded last week and applied for carers as this is what I was told too do but now I've just been told to cancel it as dwp will pay a severe disability premium which is better I know this isn't relevant to timescales but I am just hoping someone on here has looked into this. It's all confusing now

You'd only get the severe disability premium (SDP) if you live alone, or are classed as.

Caza143

Indie_Kid wrote: »

You'd only get the severe disability premium (SDP) if you live alone, or are classed as.

Oh right I am not I live with my partner carers is the right thing as that's what he does I just read that I should of claimed sdp instead I was worried that carers would accept the application then I would get sdp automatically and it would all go wrong. Saves me making any calls Monday now we did it right I am so glad I don't have to ring anyone up
Thank you I think you are fab on here you always advise others and are helpful to everyone I am a terrible worrier also but now have peace of mine I haven't done nothing wrong thanks again x

Indie_Kid

LL30 wrote: »

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_pip_and_other_benefits_e/getting_pip_table_of_passported_benefits.htm

Link to passported benefits. I'm not very clued up on it all, but I'm presuming this table is right and up to date?

Looks about right to me.