Current waiting time

50Twuncle

What is the current waiting time - for someone who requests a transfer from DLA to PIP ?

poppy12345

50Twuncle said:

What is the current waiting time - for someone who requests a transfer from DLA to PIP ?

There's no timescales. It's not an automatic transfer either, forms will be sent to fill in and return. A telephone assessment will most likely be needed because face to face assessments are still suspended. Think months, not weeks is all anyone can tell you.

50Twuncle

poppy12345 said:

50Twuncle said:

What is the current waiting time - for someone who requests a transfer from DLA to PIP ?

There's no timescales. It's not an automatic transfer either, forms will be sent to fill in and return. A telephone assessment will most likely be needed because face to face assessments are still suspended. Think months, not weeks is all anyone can tell you.

I am considering applying for a transfer from DLA (I've been on mid care for 15 years) to PIP due to being virtually immobile now and I was wondering how long it would take to get sorted ?

If I do nothing - its going to be years before I hear and I feel that I am missing out on potential benefits

poppy12345

How long is a piece of string is probably the only answer people can give you. Of course claiming DLA for all those years doesn't mean you're automatically entitled to PIP.

Have a read of this before you start a claim. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Your DLA will continue until a decision's been made on the PIP.

50Twuncle

poppy12345 said:

How long is a piece of string is probably the only answer people can give you. Of course claiming DLA for all those years doesn't mean you're automatically entitled to PIP.

Have a read of this before you start a claim. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Your DLA will continue until a decision's been made on the PIP.

Thanks - I am aware that having spent 15 years claiming DLA does not automatically transfer to PIP - But it would be a cruel assessor who classed my health as improving over the last few years and I would feel pretty confident that if I had to take them to tribunal - that I would win.
I am just slightly concerned that the government is going to have to start making drastic financial cuts and disability benefits are an easy target !

Spoonie_Turtle

50Twuncle said:

poppy12345 said:

How long is a piece of string is probably the only answer people can give you. Of course claiming DLA for all those years doesn't mean you're automatically entitled to PIP.

Have a read of this before you start a claim. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Your DLA will continue until a decision's been made on the PIP.

Thanks - I am aware that having spent 15 years claiming DLA does not automatically transfer to PIP - But it would be a cruel assessor who classed my health as improving over the last few years and I would feel pretty confident that if I had to take them to tribunal - that I would win.

You need to understand the PIP descriptors and how they are assessed in order to know what you would qualify for under PIP, which is why poppy provided the link. It's important that you read it. I don't know how DLA was assessed but I have heard multiple times that it is very different from PIP.

50Twuncle

I have read Poppys link - thanks Poppy !

I know that PIP is based on Descriptors and is totally inflexible (unless you fit the descriptor exactly - you get nothing) - but I still believe that it is in my best interests to jump the gun and apply for PIP !

DLA was based on what you couldn't do  - whereas PIP appears to be based on what you can do.......

Would you say that being given enhanced Mobility is less likely than being given enhanced Daily Living ?

I have a Blue Badge - which may go in my favour - I have had it (after an assessment) for 6 years.

But, as I said - my mobility has almost vanished over the last few years and I am unable to walk more than a few steps without considerable pain.

I believe that IF I was rejected and went to Tribunal - any decent judge would take one look at me and instantly change the ruling.

I am also unable to write or speak properly & my memory is going - I also have parkinsonism -  my body is falling apart........

Things like Activity 4 Washing and Bathing

I have had several falls in the bath, when showering -  so use a shower stool - but there is no descriptor to indicate this fact - descriptor B will be used for the washbasin which I use to get in to the bath/shower !

Spoonie_Turtle

It's not completely inflexible; if you can't do something repeatedly, reliably, safely, in a reasonable time and to an acceptable standard with whatever the descriptor refers to (an aid, supervision, assistance, etc.) then they should choose a higher scoring one. Well, that's what their own guidance says.

Both mobility and daily living elements all depend on your exact situation and your functional abilities. It might be in your situation that very restricted mobility and speech difficulties are fairly straightforward to demonstrate, and if you have problems with grip then they may more readily believe you find certain other daily living activities difficult than for someone with purely invisible difficulties like fatigue or pain. But that shouldn't matter, they should assess each case individually anyway.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/ is good to get you thinking about each activity (you could even start drafting answers in preparation for claiming) - they're back to the usual one month time frame for completing and returning the form, plus the possible extension so it would be good to be prepared rather than waiting to see the form.

(I think you can find a sample form online somewhere though, if you want to have an idea of how it looks and what specifically it asks.)

https://pipinfo.net/ goes more in-depth with case law and how the law is applied, especially when things are slightly less straightforward.

50Twuncle

Spoonie_Turtle said:

It's not completely inflexible; if you can't do something repeatedly, reliably, safely, in a reasonable time and to an acceptable standard with whatever the descriptor refers to (an aid, supervision, assistance, etc.) then they should choose a higher scoring one. Well, that's what their own guidance says.

Both mobility and daily living elements all depend on your exact situation and your functional abilities. It might be in your situation that very restricted mobility and speech difficulties are fairly straightforward to demonstrate, and if you have problems with grip then they may more readily believe you find certain other daily living activities difficult than for someone with purely invisible difficulties like fatigue or pain. But that shouldn't matter, they should assess each case individually anyway.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/ is good to get you thinking about each activity (you could even start drafting answers in preparation for claiming) - they're back to the usual one month time frame for completing and returning the form, plus the possible extension so it would be good to be prepared rather than waiting to see the form.

(I think you can find a sample form online somewhere though, if you want to have an idea of how it looks and what specifically it asks.)

https://pipinfo.net/ goes more in-depth with case law and how the law is applied, especially when things are slightly less straightforward.

OK I have decided to gp for ir

I have two choices to apply

1. DCS DCPU Alternative Format Team - DCPUALTERNATIVE.FORMATTEAM@dwp.gov.uk

or

2. Get my wife to phone for me

If I use 2. this will add to my arsenal as being unable to speak on the phone

but 1. Will give me more control over my application

Which would you use ?

[Deleted User]

OP if your mobility has worsened over "the years" why haven't you reported this as a change of circumstance to the DLA people? As has been said there are no gaurantees with PIP its very different than DLA, and you should never assume anything, and remember at the moment assessments are either paper based or by telephone neither of which favours those with mobility issues.

Spoonie_Turtle

50Twuncle said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

It's not completely inflexible; if you can't do something repeatedly, reliably, safely, in a reasonable time and to an acceptable standard with whatever the descriptor refers to (an aid, supervision, assistance, etc.) then they should choose a higher scoring one. Well, that's what their own guidance says.

Both mobility and daily living elements all depend on your exact situation and your functional abilities. It might be in your situation that very restricted mobility and speech difficulties are fairly straightforward to demonstrate, and if you have problems with grip then they may more readily believe you find certain other daily living activities difficult than for someone with purely invisible difficulties like fatigue or pain. But that shouldn't matter, they should assess each case individually anyway.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/ is good to get you thinking about each activity (you could even start drafting answers in preparation for claiming) - they're back to the usual one month time frame for completing and returning the form, plus the possible extension so it would be good to be prepared rather than waiting to see the form.

(I think you can find a sample form online somewhere though, if you want to have an idea of how it looks and what specifically it asks.)

https://pipinfo.net/ goes more in-depth with case law and how the law is applied, especially when things are slightly less straightforward.

OK I have decided to gp for ir

I have two choices to apply

1. DCS DCPU Alternative Format Team - DCPUALTERNATIVE.FORMATTEAM@dwp.gov.uk

or

2. Get my wife to phone for me

If I use 2. this will add to my arsenal as being unable to speak on the phone

but 1. Will give me more control over my application

Which would you use ?

As far as I know they'll only let you have it in an alternative format if you genuinely need it, so presumably either option will carry the same weight. I'm always in favour of options that allow people their independence or at least autonomy - but ultimately how you personally claim is your choice.