DLA To PIP

lawrence17

Hello All, I hope this question hasn't been asked on this forum before. Anyhow, last week I received a letter from the DWP stating that my Disability Living Allowance will end on the 22nd of this month. And if I want to claim PIP I will need to contact them by a certain date.

I understand the how to make a claim and the process. What I fear is having one of those medical assessments by ATOS who are very harsh. My question is the criteria to claim PIP the same as any other benefit like ESA for example or is it higher or lower in regards to your disability? If you fail can appeal the decision? Finally, while awaiting the outcome will you still get paid DLA? Thank you all. I look forward to your replys.

lawrence17

Thanks for sharing the link penitent

pmlindyloo

You need to do lots of googling about PIP as it is a totally different benefit to DLA.

You could use a welfare advisor or CAB to help you complete the form. Really the best option so you get it right the first time.

As regards the questions about appealing if you do not meet the criteria:

Yes, you can appeal and need to do a mandatory reconsideration first and then if this fails you can go to a tribunal.

If they do not award you PIP then your DLA will continue for about 4 weeks after the PIP decision.

Whilst you are appealing you will not be paid DLA or PIP (except for those first 4 weeks 'run on' of DLA.)

If your have to appeal and go to a tribunal and the tribunal awards you PIP then you would receive PIP backdated to when your DLA ended.

lawrence17

Oh really! I thought PIP was more or less the same thing as DLA but just with a different name.

I will contact a CAB advisor to help me fill out the form that sounds wise.

I am dreading the Medical assessment. I had some issues with my ESA medical. They dismissed my circumstances and I wasn't entitled to ESA at first. So I went to a tribunal and won. I am expecting the same issues again.

Anyone got any advice in regards medical assessments? In the past I just been honest and explained my disability however that always seems to fail.

In regards to medical evidence form Doctors, hospital, medical professionals etc. Do you have to send evidence yourself or will the DWP just contact your Doctor?

poppy12345

No PIP is nothing like DLA was. They often don't contact anyone for evidence so make sure you send it yourself with the form. Good luck.

Prinzessilein

lawrence17 wrote: »

Anyone got any advice in regards medical assessments? In the past I just been honest and explained my disability however that always seems to fail.

My advice would ALWAYS be to be honest!

I fully understand the stress of the changeover from DLA (I have been through it myself)

You need to go through the assessment criteria one at a time, and provide evidence, where possible, for EVERY statement that you make....even if this means repeating yourself on the form.....and include copies of all the reports and medical reviews and letters that you reference in your claim...include these with the application form wherever possible.

The form will ask for GP and specialist details, and will say that they MAY contact these people...in reality they rarely do...complete the form as if the assessor is NOT going to contact anyone...the onus is on you to supply all relevant evidence.

When it comes to the assessment, remember that you can have someone with you. This may help you be less stressed...and it also useful to have someone there listening to what the assessor says, and does...and note-taking is permitted too.

The PiP criteria ARE more stringent than those of DLA...but it is possible to get a fair award (Despite inaccuracies, I feel my award was fair...and I actually ended up with a higher award for PiP than I had had for DLA)

Hoogle

PIP is a lot harder to get than DLA apparently. I applied for PIP back on 2nd of august and just been refused it only scoring 2 points (all though my health support team scored me at 15 points on daily living and 8 on mobility) with that in mind we expected lower rate and no mobility as they always find a way not to score you points. I have not had my decision letter yet but was told on phone when chasing it up. Plan to get turned down and work on your appeal as much as possible before the decision is made. because by the time you get your letter and your thinking you are about to be awarded it you may be in for a shock that your letter was dated 2 weeks prior only leaving you 2 weeks to get supporting evidence and do your appeal. My team have told me the chances are quite high that my MR will be declined as well and will escalate to tribunal, but a good chance it will be awarded days before, this is a common technique they use to try and get people to give up if they know they will lose the tribunal.

to sum up.
Apply with expectations of being declined it (almost 80% of claims are declined on initial application according to the internet not sure officially)
In initial application provide all sorts of medical evidence but do not expect them to read it
make sure you have copies of everything and then send recorded post.
after 6 weeks do a chase up call and ask about your assessment concerned that you have not heard anything ( I did not have an assessment as my ESA assessment was stopped due to me not being able to cope)
At assessment record it using proper voice recorder, notify them at least 24 hours prior that you will be doing so, they may even ask for a copy, say you will copy the file and send it to them but dont. They will see what can be proved and what cant be from both sides and use it against you.

Chase up 2 weeks after assessment to find out what stage your application is at may have already been decided, phone up weekly until you get your decission, dont get mad at them if they confirm verbally you have been declined get your appeal in asap as you only get 4 weeks dated from the date on the rejection letter and it can take 2+ weeks to get to you.

all this takes about 3 months possibly more over christmas period, I am doing my MR now ready to post next week with more evidence ( basically summary of my report originally supplied but was not looked at)

paragon909

Hoogle wrote: »

PIP is a lot harder to get than DLA apparently. I applied for PIP back on 2nd of august and just been refused it only scoring 2 points (all though my health support team scored me at 15 points on daily living and 8 on mobility) with that in mind we expected lower rate and no mobility as they always find a way not to score you points. I have not had my decision letter yet but was told on phone when chasing it up. Plan to get turned down and work on your appeal as much as possible before the decision is made. because by the time you get your letter and your thinking you are about to be awarded it you may be in for a shock that your letter was dated 2 weeks prior only leaving you 2 weeks to get supporting evidence and do your appeal. My team have told me the chances are quite high that my MR will be declined as well and will escalate to tribunal, but a good chance it will be awarded days before, this is a common technique they use to try and get people to give up if they know they will lose the tribunal.

to sum up.
Apply with expectations of being declined it (almost 80% of claims are declined on initial application according to the internet not sure officially)
In initial application provide all sorts of medical evidence but do not expect them to read it
make sure you have copies of everything and then send recorded post.
after 6 weeks do a chase up call and ask about your assessment concerned that you have not heard anything ( I did not have an assessment as my ESA assessment was stopped due to me not being able to cope)
At assessment record it using proper voice recorder, notify them at least 24 hours prior that you will be doing so, they may even ask for a copy, say you will copy the file and send it to them but dont. They will see what can be proved and what cant be from both sides and use it against you.

Chase up 2 weeks after assessment to find out what stage your application is at may have already been decided, phone up weekly until you get your decission, dont get mad at them if they confirm verbally you have been declined get your appeal in asap as you only get 4 weeks dated from the date on the rejection letter and it can take 2+ weeks to get to you.

all this takes about 3 months possibly more over christmas period, I am doing my MR now ready to post next week with more evidence ( basically summary of my report originally supplied but was not looked at)

I stay in Scotland I applied a 2015 now, I applied in like June/July and I had a decision for September, Without going for a medical or assessment etc, All I did was send ESA 85 statement along with a few doctors letters explaining my problems.... And I got a 5 year award for standard care which is perfect for me. Since I don't really have mobility problems! All paper based.

So it depends on circumstances, Not a general overview of other peoples experience.

poppy12345

Hoogle wrote: »

PIP is a lot harder to get than DLA apparently. I applied for PIP back on 2nd of august and just been refused it only scoring 2 points (all though my health support team scored me at 15 points on daily living and 8 on mobility) with that in mind we expected lower rate and no mobility as they always find a way not to score you points. I have not had my decision letter yet but was told on phone when chasing it up. Plan to get turned down and work on your appeal as much as possible before the decision is made. because by the time you get your letter and your thinking you are about to be awarded it you may be in for a shock that your letter was dated 2 weeks prior only leaving you 2 weeks to get supporting evidence and do your appeal. My team have told me the chances are quite high that my MR will be declined as well and will escalate to tribunal, but a good chance it will be awarded days before, this is a common technique they use to try and get people to give up if they know they will lose the tribunal.

to sum up.
Apply with expectations of being declined it (almost 80% of claims are declined on initial application according to the internet not sure officially)
In initial application provide all sorts of medical evidence but do not expect them to read it
make sure you have copies of everything and then send recorded post.
after 6 weeks do a chase up call and ask about your assessment concerned that you have not heard anything ( I did not have an assessment as my ESA assessment was stopped due to me not being able to cope)
At assessment record it using proper voice recorder, notify them at least 24 hours prior that you will be doing so, they may even ask for a copy, say you will copy the file and send it to them but dont. They will see what can be proved and what cant be from both sides and use it against you.

Chase up 2 weeks after assessment to find out what stage your application is at may have already been decided, phone up weekly until you get your decission, dont get mad at them if they confirm verbally you have been declined get your appeal in asap as you only get 4 weeks dated from the date on the rejection letter and it can take 2+ weeks to get to you.

all this takes about 3 months possibly more over christmas period, I am doing my MR now ready to post next week with more evidence ( basically summary of my report originally supplied but was not looked at)

If you're going to record an assessment, you need to produce 2 identical copies on either CD or audio cassette and 1 copy MUST be handed in at the end of the assessment.

Alice_Holt

lawrence17 wrote: »

I will contact a CAB advisor to help me fill out the form that sounds wise.....

Anyone got any advice in regards medical assessments? In the past I just been honest and explained my disability however that always seems to fail......

In regards to medical evidence form Doctors, hospital, medical professionals etc. Do you have to send evidence yourself or will the DWP just contact your Doctor?

Very good idea to get help from your local CAB / advice agency. They may also be able to help with an appeal if necessary.

Some info here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-assessment/ - About the assessment
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/images/image/samples/dla/sample_pip_jan17_v24.pdf

There may also be an organisation related to your condition which can be helpful e.g:
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/personal-independence-payment

Re Medical evidence - As poppy said it is very unlikely the DWP will approach your GP (unlike with DLA), so do enclose relevant evidence you may have.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-supporting-evidence/

Because this is a public forum you need to be discriminating with the replies you get.
I would take issue with some of Hoogle's comments - the failure rate is not 80% -
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3685-almost-1-in-5-dla-to-pip-claimants-get-no-award-at-all- It is 20%.
- he is confusing it with the failure rate of MR's.
It is worth noting that at tribunal 65% of appeals succeed.
No need to send it recorded delivery - but do get proof of posting.
Rather than recording your assessment (almost impossible to get the approved equipment), have a family member / friend at the assessment taking notes.

I would strongly suggest you take pmlindyloo's excellent advice - your local CAB will be very familiar with the PIP points and processes.

Understanding the PIP points system is key. This is the DWP guide on how the activities should be interpreted:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655612/pip-asse/

Good luck.