advice please- PIP- waited 8 months and still no medical and BPD...

samantham06

Hello guys,
Just wanted a bit of general advice please.
I sent off my PIP application back in January (requested it in November but had a breakdown so couldn't get it sent off until then), despite numerous phone calls, ATOS have received it but still haven't even booked me in for an assessment with one of their doctors each time I Call they just tell me that my form is in the queue and I will get sent a letter inviting me for an assessment when I am at the top of the pile...
I contacted DWP to notify them of this delay and they said that really I should have had an appointment within 16 weeks, obviously I am well past this. They told me to put in a complaint with ATOS which I did, but I was just told that although they were sorry for the delay, nothing could be done to speed up my application.
I appreciate I am not in any way entitled to this extra help, but I really do not feel it is very good practise and was wondering is anyone else had waited this long. As I'm aware once I eventually get the assessment it will then still take weeks to get a decision from the DWP as to whether I am entitled. Any ideas guys?


Also another point, but I have applied under mental health issues, so really this wait isn't doing much for my anxiety. I suffer with borderline personality disorder, and receive a mixture of therapies, including weekly emotional regulation courses, 6 weekly psychiatrist appointments, I have a care plan which is written up by my mental health nurse and have access to social workers and the mental health crisis team. I mange to function hold down a good job, but at times my bpd affects me so much I can't get out of bed and behave extremely irrationally, I have a severe lack of relationships as my conditions means I can't handle them. Does anyone have experience of whether this is adequate enough to be accepted? - condition is also linked to alcohol abuse which I am guilty of when I am having a bad period.
I also suffer with celiac disease, severe ibs and poly cystic ovaries (I'm sure these wont come into it though they affect me badly?)
Just felt a bit of fraud applying really as its a mental condition, and I realise some physical conditions are far worse. so really wanted some advice.

Indie_Kid

Unfortunately, your situation isn't unusual. Some people on here have said that from receiving the form, to getting an award, (with the medical in between) it's been just under a year.

nannytone_2

it isnt the conditions you have that get you an award, itis how they affect you.
what care/mobility needs do you have?
you say you function ok most of the time... how often do you need help with basic tasks? ( eating, cooking, dressing, washing, toiletting)

samantham06

hello, I don't have any mobility needs that I know of. Or toileting.
I'd say my condition fluctuates but on average 3\7 normal days a week.
The other days I'm like a different person. I don't cook, get up, am horrendous to everyone, take risks, drink excessively and have had numerous suicidal thoughts.... then I snap back into reality and its like none of it ever happened!

lemontart

stressful though it is a long wait is not abnormal I waited 32 weeks before got an appt, still waiting for results at present and there are those who waited longer.

See this thread on Pip timescales https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4741436

Gemma84_3

Hi, i applied late October last year and have my medical today which i believe is going ahead because i got my mp involved. Hope you get things sorted soon

rogerblack

samantham06 wrote: »

hello, I don't have any mobility needs that I know of. ...
I don't cook, get up, am horrendous to everyone, take risks, drink excessively and have had numerous suicidal thoughts....

You may have mobility issues as defined by PIP.

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

Descriptors need to be matched half of the time.
A very cursory glance leads me to think of:
'Cannot prepare and cook food'
'Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition'
'needs prompting to be able to dress'
'engaging with people face to face'
'making budgeting decisions'.
'needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe'

'cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person'

The last in principle would be mobility.

help4help2013

i know people who applied 14 months ago still not had a medical then they will have to wait months after the medical for a decision with the way the system is at the moment

TELLIT01

The most effective way to get some progress is to contact you local MP. A complaint letter from them get everybody jumping through hoops.

tomtontom

keitht53 wrote: »

The most effective way to get some progress is to contact you local MP. A complaint letter from them get everybody jumping through hoops.

Keep in mind that what this does is jumps you up the queue, so causing greater delays for others.

Scully38

samantham06 wrote: »

Hello guys,
Just wanted a bit of general advice please.
I sent off my PIP application back in January (requested it in November but had a breakdown so couldn't get it sent off until then), despite numerous phone calls, ATOS have received it but still haven't even booked me in for an assessment with one of their doctors each time I Call they just tell me that my form is in the queue and I will get sent a letter inviting me for an assessment when I am at the top of the pile...
I contacted DWP to notify them of this delay and they said that really I should have had an appointment within 16 weeks, obviously I am well past this. They told me to put in a complaint with ATOS which I did, but I was just told that although they were sorry for the delay, nothing could be done to speed up my application.
I appreciate I am not in any way entitled to this extra help, but I really do not feel it is very good practise and was wondering is anyone else had waited this long. As I'm aware once I eventually get the assessment it will then still take weeks to get a decision from the DWP as to whether I am entitled. Any ideas guys?


Also another point, but I have applied under mental health issues, so really this wait isn't doing much for my anxiety. I suffer with borderline personality disorder, and receive a mixture of therapies, including weekly emotional regulation courses, 6 weekly psychiatrist appointments, I have a care plan which is written up by my mental health nurse and have access to social workers and the mental health crisis team. I mange to function hold down a good job, but at times my bpd affects me so much I can't get out of bed and behave extremely irrationally, I have a severe lack of relationships as my conditions means I can't handle them. Does anyone have experience of whether this is adequate enough to be accepted? - condition is also linked to alcohol abuse which I am guilty of when I am having a bad period.
I also suffer with celiac disease, severe ibs and poly cystic ovaries (I'm sure these wont come into it though they affect me badly?)
Just felt a bit of fraud applying really as its a mental condition, and I realise some physical conditions are far worse. so really wanted some advice.

I applied last December and am still waiting for a decision. I had my assessment with Atos on 10 July and now just waiting for a decision. I was told it shouldn't be more than 4 weeks, so at the moment i'm bugging them weekly, so far i've received nada, but I think the average wait is about 10 months. The dwp advise on their website that you shouldn't wait more than 26 weeks. Because you have, i'd give them a ring again and tell them it's been over their own time limits and if you don't get any joy, email your mp, that has been known to work. Good Luck.