Are you waiting ages for PIP assessment and wish you'd given more detail?

rogerblack

While clearly it would be nice if all assessments were being done promptly - if you have not put in all of the evidence you have, or could get - you may want to consider sending in more evidence for them to consider.
The final decision must take into account all the evidence up until the time the decision is made - not only the initial form and any accompanying letters.

PIP descriptors -

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm

jlawrence

rogerblack wrote: »

While clearly it would be nice if all assessments were being done promptly - if you have not put in all of the evidence you have, or could get - you may want to consider sending in more evidence for them to consider.
The final decision must take into account all the evidence up until the time the decision is made - not only the initial form and any accompanying letters.

PIP descriptors -

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm

Hi Roger, as a matter of interest which evidence carries more weight for the DWP decision maker? The face to face report compiled by an accredited healthcare professional specialising in disability medicine or a jumble of letters received from a claimants consultant/doctor that gives nothing more than information about a diagnosis and how the condition is to be treated?

rogerblack

jlawrence wrote: »

Hi Roger, as a matter of interest which evidence carries more weight for the DWP decision maker? The face to face report compiled by an accredited healthcare professional specialising in disability medicine or a jumble of letters received from a claimants consultant/doctor that gives nothing more than information about a diagnosis and how the condition is to be treated?

I am not suggesting supplying random evidence that doesn't advance your case.

Read and understand the descriptors and explanatory notes found on https://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm ideally, and then consider if for any of them you have, or can get stronger evidence than you have supplied.
If you can, add a covering letter explaining which bits apply.

This is especially important, as there are efforts to do more claims without an in-person assessment.
If you can avoid one by supplying more evidence, your claim may even be processed faster.

SailorSam

There was something on the Bbc NW news last night about the delays in PIP. I think they were talking about cancer sufferers in particular, the MP for Wavertree/Liverpool was asking questions in the House 'cos one of her constituents had waited so long. A Govt spokeman said it was all sorted now and nobody should need to wait longer than 26wks.

jlawrence

SailorSam wrote: »

There was something on the Bbc NW news last night about the delays in PIP. I think they were talking about cancer sufferers in particular, the MP for Wavertree/Liverpool was asking questions in the House 'cos one of her constituents had waited so long. A Govt spokeman said it was all sorted now and nobody should need to wait longer than 26wks.

Hi Sailor, 26 weeks!! and it has been sorted? I tell you, it is no wonder that there are many like us that wouldn't even bother putting in a claim if it is going to be 26 weeks of stress, worry etc. I'm waiting to see if the other benefits will follow the same time line - JSA, ESA or IS.

jlawrence

rogerblack wrote: »

I am not suggesting supplying random evidence that doesn't advance your case.

Read and understand the descriptors and explanatory notes found on www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm ideally, and then consider if for any of them you have, or can get stronger evidence than you have supplied.
If you can, add a covering letter explaining which bits apply.

This is especially important, as there are efforts to do more claims without an in-person assessment.
If you can avoid one by supplying more evidence, your claim may even be processed faster.

Hi Roger, are you suggesting that people ask their GP or Consultant to write a report? I damn well hope not, getting to see a GP as it is is a nightmare. If GP's are to be tied up preparing reports for a benefit claim, the waiting lists for the sick and ill patients to see a GP will only get longer.

cbrown372

jlawrence wrote: »

Hi Roger, are you suggesting that people ask their GP or Consultant to write a report? I damn well hope not, getting to see a GP as it is is a nightmare. If GP's are to be tied up preparing reports for a benefit claim, the waiting lists for the sick and ill patients to see a GP will only get longer.

Lay off Roger, he is the good guy round here as you well know Andy

Confuseddot

Don't feed the troll !

dori2o

jlawrence wrote: »

Hi Roger, are you suggesting that people ask their GP or Consultant to write a report? I damn well hope not, getting to see a GP as it is is a nightmare. If GP's are to be tied up preparing reports for a benefit claim, the waiting lists for the sick and ill patients to see a GP will only get longer.

What a stupid post.

I asked my GP for a letter and he had no hesitation in writing it for me, he even waived his normal fee such was his opinion that receiving DLA would significantly increase my ability to cope with my condition as it would open up many more opportunities, and enable me to pay for treatments not available on the NHS.

I've also asked him to write other letters for me where it was for my benefit for him to provide information on my behalf, such as having a course of treatment which I could not afford paid for by a Charity which represents those who do and have worked for the place I work. Or when that same charity offerred to provide me with a mobility scooter (lifetime hire) on receipt of a letter from my GP which confirmed that it would be beneficial.

GP's are already subjected to completing reports when the DWP request them as part of a claim, however the questions the DWP ask are weighted in their favour and they don't allow the GP to provide accurate details of a persons medical issues.

It's not like they don't have time to arrange such letters, most of which are dictated onto a recorder and given to a secretary to type up, so in actual fact the time it takes the GP is next to none.

At the end of the day I pay tax, I pay NI and I pay for my prescriptions. If I want my GP to write a report for me then Igiven the amount of money I pay I have every right to ask.

jlawrence

cbrown372 wrote: »

Lay off Roger, he is the good guy round here as you well know Andy

Hi Brown, I was taking issue over a comment that he made that those that don't or won't claim a disability benefit are not disabled enough. The insinuation is that those that do claim and are awarded a disability benefit are the only ones that are truly disabled. He seemed to have missed the point that there are a great number of genuine cases that would be awarded PIP/DLA only if they would make a claim.

jlawrence

dori2o wrote: »

What a stupid post.

I asked my GP for a letter and he had no hesitation in writing it for me, he even waived his normal fee such was his opinion that receiving DLA would significantly increase my ability to cope with my condition as it would open up many more opportunities, and enable me to pay for treatments not available on the NHS.

I've also asked him to write other letters for me where it was for my benefit for him to provide information on my behalf, such as having a course of treatment which I could not afford paid for by a Charity which represents those who do and have worked for the place I work. Or when that same charity offerred to provide me with a mobility scooter (lifetime hire) on receipt of a letter from my GP which confirmed that it would be beneficial.

GP's are already subjected to completing reports when the DWP request them as part of a claim, however the questions the DWP ask are weighted in their favour and they don't allow the GP to provide accurate details of a persons medical issues.

It's not like they don't have time to arrange such letters, most of which are dictated onto a recorder and given to a secretary to type up, so in actual fact the time it takes the GP is next to none.

At the end of the day I pay tax, I pay NI and I pay for my prescriptions. If I want my GP to write a report for me then Igiven the amount of money I pay I have every right to ask.

Hi Dori, and if the GP is asked to prepare reports for say 10 patients a day, the queue to see that doctor will get longer. Fact. Why should I and many others like me have to wait up to two weeks to see a GP simply because you consider that the GP's time is better spent sorting out your benefit claims?
I have paid tax and NIC for over 40 years - don't you think that I should have some level of priority, given that I have never claimed or received any sickness or disability benefit in those 40 years? I certainly would have a conscience of wasting my GP's time, shame that you haven't.