P.I.P. timescales...

Tinkerbell01

poppy12345 wrote: »

Hi, the exact same thing happened to me!! I rang one day to be told what you were told, i then rang Atos who said they haven't received anything back and my case was now closed with them. Next day i rang DWP and a decision was made, so they had in fact lied to me the previous day. Ring again today and ask again if a decision has been made, but leave it until as late as possible. Good luck.

Hi Poppy, thanks for the advice will give them a call last thing today :wall:

Sunshinesusie3

Tinkerbell01 wrote: »

I have read your threads & it is all complete madness isn't it! I am not entirely sure what the purpose of the call centre is as they don't appear to have access to any answers on well anything! Wishing you luck!

Having gone through the process I still check to see how others are getting on and chip in if I feel my views/experience can be of any benefit.

I sometimes think, as claimants, our expectation is that the call centre staff are pip experts when in reality they're limitedly trained call centre staff and it's the luck of the draw if you get one who knows their way around the computer system! If you can speak to a supervisor (they're who you get if you complain) or a decision maker (almost as difficult as arranging an audience with the pope) you have more chance of some accurate feedback. Only more chance, no guarantee!

In retrospect I've wondered if phoning does any good, given how notes are placed on our records and then nothing's done about them how does phoning speed up the decision making process? Though if you've not heard in a reasonable time after the report has been sent to DWP phoning can alert you to issues that may require your MP's involvement. I know it's frustrating but speaking to somebody who can't help you can only increase stress levels. I cynically wonder if the government knows this and it's further punishment for not being well or disabled?!

poppy12345

1111 wrote: »

Do they ring you after assessment to tell you their decision or do they just send a letter??

You get a letter from DWP telling if it's good or bad news.

poppy12345

Sunshinesusie3 wrote: »

Having gone through the process I still check to see how others are getting on and chip in if I feel my views/experience can be of any benefit.

I sometimes think, as claimants, our expectation is that the call centre staff are pip experts when in reality they're limitedly trained call centre staff and it's the luck of the draw if you get one who knows their way around the computer system! If you can speak to a supervisor (they're who you get if you complain) or a decision maker (almost as difficult as arranging an audience with the pope) you have more chance of some accurate feedback. Only more chance, no guarantee!

In retrospect I've wondered if phoning does any good, given how notes are placed on our records and then nothing's done about them how does phoning speed up the decision making process? Though if you've not heard in a reasonable time after the report has been sent to DWP phoning can alert you to issues that may require your MP's involvement. I know it's frustrating but speaking to somebody who can't help you can only increase stress levels. I cynically wonder if the government knows this and it's further punishment for not being well or disabled?!

Phoning naturally doesn't speed up the process but letters take 1 week to arrive and ringing to ask if a decision has been made can help the nerves. I rang and asked when i was expecting a decision and i was told my award over the phone.

Sunshinesusie3

poppy12345 wrote: »

Phoning naturally doesn't speed up the process but letters take 1 week to arrive and ringing to ask if a decision has been made can help the nerves. I rang and asked when i was expecting a decision and i was told my award over the phone.

Yes, I was too. I think my point was that ringing might help but not to presume the person answering the phone can help. I found out my decision had been made on a day that I'd called but it took three days before the call centre seemed to be able to see the information. I still felt I needed to see the letter to believe it, though at least I knew to expect a letter.

When there was a problem authorising the payment the call centre were next to useless. It later transpired that there was 'a glitch in the system' that had stopped my claim being processed. The call centre seemed unable to see this and it was only when my MP got involved were they able to finalise the claim process.

LostAndAshamed

Hey...I'm wondering if anyone here can advise, as you are all familiar with PIP!

I was on DLA mid-rate care and low mobility, as well as ESA support group, a year ago. I came off both to try working full-time. It didn't work, and now I've almost exhausted my savings.

I can't reapply for DLA, so I guess it will be PIP. I have bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, and severe anxiety.

How long does the process take? And is this likely to be a huge fight? I don't know if I have the capacity for a fight at the moment...

I can't even bring myself to call for a form, my anxiety is that bad.

chabba

Hi everyone well had my assessment today nothing to what I expected the lady was lovely so helpful and it turns out we used to work at same company years ago x she didn't make me to anything physical was just asking me about my day to day life she said she would send report back today and try not to worry so fingers crossed it won't be too long she said they say 2-4 weeks but expect anything upto 8 weeks good luck everyone I am so glad this part is over xxxxx

Lilo915

chabba wrote: »

Hi everyone well had my assessment today nothing to what I expected the lady was lovely so helpful and it turns out we used to work at same company years ago x she didn't make me to anything physical was just asking me about my day to day life she said she would send report back today and try not to worry so fingers crossed it won't be too long she said they say 2-4 weeks but expect anything upto 8 weeks good luck everyone I am so glad this part is over xxxxx

Pleased to hear it went well Chabba.:j I also got told 2-4 weeks but think I will be phoning them after 2 weeks has passed because the lady I saw advised this and a few previous commenters have done it and found out their award prior to receiving the letter. Hope it's good news for all.

Lilo915

LostAndAshamed wrote: »

Hey...I'm wondering if anyone here can advise, as you are all familiar with PIP!

I was on DLA mid-rate care and low mobility, as well as ESA support group, a year ago. I came off both to try working full-time. It didn't work, and now I've almost exhausted my savings.

I can't reapply for DLA, so I guess it will be PIP. I have bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, and severe anxiety.

How long does the process take? And is this likely to be a huge fight? I don't know if I have the capacity for a fight at the moment...

I can't even bring myself to call for a form, my anxiety is that bad.

I'm not sure how long individual claims are taking but on average they seem to be at least more than 5 months until you get a face to face assessment. And depending on how your conditions affect you it may not be a fight to get it. There have been a lot of successful claims on this thread reading back through it, so I wouldn't lose hope. It might be worth re-applying for ESA as well because you won't receive any financial support from PIP whilst waiting for their decision (could be a long wait), whereas you get the assessment phase rate of ESA whilst waiting for that decision.

poppy12345

LostAndAshamed wrote: »

Hey...I'm wondering if anyone here can advise, as you are all familiar with PIP!

I was on DLA mid-rate care and low mobility, as well as ESA support group, a year ago. I came off both to try working full-time. It didn't work, and now I've almost exhausted my savings.

I can't reapply for DLA, so I guess it will be PIP. I have bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, and severe anxiety.

How long does the process take? And is this likely to be a huge fight? I don't know if I have the capacity for a fight at the moment...

I can't even bring myself to call for a form, my anxiety is that bad.

Why would you come off DLA to work full time? People claim DLA/PIP and work. PIP is completely different to DLA it's awarded for having difficulty with daily life and not on the condition itself. If you're having difficulty then ring PIP to start your claim but expect a long wait for your assessment. A lot of people are waiting more than 10 months for assessment. If awarded then expect back pay to the day you first rang. The assessment waiting time for ESA is even longer with some people waiting over the 1 year period. Good luck.