PIP assessment for pensioners

candy8234

My brother has been claiming PIP for several years. He is coming up to 69 years old. He has multiple health issues mostly stemming from genetic problems. After collapsing in 2014 with sepsis, when he nearly died, his one functioning kidney failed and he has since had dialysis 3 times a week. The kidney was subsequently removed, so he has absolutely no kidney function. His various health conditions mean he is on a cocktail of medication. In 2014 I completed a PIP form and his claim was granted with no assessment necessary. Since then he had to have an assessment about 18 months ago, where his award was reduced. He received a reassessment form a few months ago, which we completed with 'No change' in every section. I also included a covering letter stating that his condition can never get any better, and questioning the need to reassess. He has been assessed by the NHS for a transplant and advised because of his past medical history it is not a viable option. Today he received a text message asking him to attend an assessment in a couple of weeks.
Following Amber Rudd's press release on March 4th which stated
"Hundreds of thousands of disabled pensioners will no longer have to go through unnecessary reassessments for disability benefits, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has said today (5 March 2019).

Around 270,000 people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who have reached State Pension age will no longer have their awards regularly reviewed, instead moving to a light touch review every 10 years." I have read further details which state this is in place from spring (which is now).
Has anyone had similar experience and have you challenged it and been successful?

[Deleted User]

If he has been invited to an assessment then he must attend or lose his benefit.

poppy12345

There's been no further announcements since then and he must attend the face to face assessment.

candy8234

Thanks for the replies. That wasn't the question, we know he has to attend if asked to. I have to contact them because the date given is when he is having dialysis, so it has to be re-arranged anyway, so I am planning to question why he has been called given the announcement from Amber Rudd which apparently is in force from spring (which it is now). I am intending to question the government dept. about this - I was interested in finding out if anyone else had done anything like this.

poppy12345

candy8234 wrote: »

I am planning to question why he has been called given the announcement from Amber Rudd which apparently is in force from spring (which it is now). I am intending to question the government dept. about this - I was interested in finding out if anyone else had done anything like this.

As i previously advised, it was just an announcement. No other announcements have been made and there's no legislation been put into place yet. Yes, it was announced spring, what wasn't announced was which spring, in which year this would happen.

calcotti

You may interested in this take on the story https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3888-pip-pensioners-will-still-be-reviewed
and
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3857-dwp-begins-moving-existing-pip-claimants-to-10-year-light-touch-reviews

See also
http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-1113/UIN_174062_-_Award_period_guidance_10.10.18.pdf

Two things strike me

• The decision about length of award relies primarily on the AP and anyone familiar with this forum knows htow poor the assessments can be.
• Given limited manpower at DWP with many staff redirected to putting right past errors existinga awards are inevitably going to end up following their original cycle until a new review has taken, at which time possibly a longer award period may result.

candy8234

Thanks Calcotti - very informative and helpful!