PIP additional information

RubyChewsday

This is my first post, so if it's in the wrong place, sorry!

I'm trying to help my friend with a claim for PIP, it's just the additional information bit that's giving us grief.

Is it simply another persons account of how her life is affected and a description of the care given?

Thanks in advance for any help

HB58

This is the place for anything that hasn't already been explained, anything that needs extra space, supportive statements etc.

rogerblack

In principle, it can be anything at all.
A report from a disability specialist about tests that prove the person is entitled.
A description of what the carers typical daily routine is.
Even a description from anybody else - even husband or family - who knows details about the persons needs.
Yes, some evidence may be weighted higher than others - but in principle, nothing that is actually relevant - whatever the source - should be ignored.

RubyChewsday

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

Mr_Lawnmower

RubyChewsday wrote: »

I'm trying to help my friend with a claim for PIP, it's just the additional information bit that's giving us grief.

As rogerblack says, you can send anything that is relevant - mark any enclosed documents clearly with the claimant's name and NI number. Any sort of functional assessment, such as a care plan, is especially helpful.

The key thing to remember is that you are attempting to show it is more likely than not your friend qualifies for PIP. Disputes about entitlement to benefits typically relate more to the effect of any disability or health condition, rather than the diagnosis, severity or prognosis. A simple factual report from a health professional on symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is often more use than an extensive medical dossier, which can draw attention away for the key arguments for the award of benefit.


As a newbie, I cannot post links. If you search for the Youreable forums, go into the Benefits forum and open the sticky thread on PIP, I've posted a lot of information there about PIP and my claim experience (under a similar user name to here - that user name is not allowed on MSE).

RubyChewsday

Thanks for the advice, it seems the claim process for PIP isn't as straightforward as the one for DLA and that says something in itself.

Mr_Lawnmower

RubyChewsday wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, it seems the claim process for PIP isn't as straightforward as the one for DLA and that says something in itself.

I'd say the DLA and PIP claims processes are very similar. With both benefits, you have the option of leaving the questions about your disability blank and relying solely on an assessment, but you are more likely to get the award you deserve if you answer all the questions on the form.

The key difference is that the majority of PIP claims involve a face to face assessment.


The only real problem I experienced with claiming PIP compared to DLA were the delays. The face to face assessment was largely redundant, in that the assessor essentially endorsed my self-assessment against the PIP legal tests, but I accepted the need to validate my answers. The minor differences between the assessment report and my self-assessment made no difference to the outcome.

If I had an up to date functional assessment, I would have sent a copy, but I had nothing suitable to send. The last remotely comprehensive functional assessment I underwent was in 2010 and it did not cover all of the PIP activities.

sammie09_2

i applied august 2013,was going for an assesment end of jan when i got there they had cancelled appointment part of my condition is agoraphobia had to take my son with me and got up at 3am to prepare myself,travel expenses took a month to come threw,just had another assessment had to travel this time to edinburgh which is over 45 miles from me,after my terrible time which took 3 days to recover from i was told atos would send report within 8 weeks then dwp takes another 4 weeks before getting any kind of answer so it will be roughly 43weeks since i did my claim and probably wont get anything as by the way the scrutinizing everything you have to be practically one foot in the grave to get anything (pardon the pun dont mean to offend anyone,)at to top this of i have to go to atos this week for my esa assesment i have no idea how long that takes to sort out,theres no way i can work,im on 23 different types of medication and all this just makes me feel more of a failure than i already do,cant see a light at the end of the tunnel.