PIP - asking to be reassessed query

Cyclamen

Hello All, 
Whilst an old hand at claiming PIP for myself (DLA before that) I am not quite sure how the system works for the situation I am now in. 
My husband recieves PIP daily living standard.  At the time of award I wanted to ask for a reconsideration but he just wanted to let it go so we did.  Since then he has received more 'evidence' a letter from Rheumatology and a report from Autism assessment. No formal diagnosis due to no-one left who remembers him as a kid but it clearly states he has autistic traits and the challenges he has.  

We agreed to include this when his renewal came up this Autumn.  However DWP have now written stating his award will be extended due to covid (not exact words but gist) . We have done all this at his own pace as its obviously really distressing for any and all of us.  But he has now given me the OK to ask to add in the extra new information.  He's been autistic all along but it wasnt something he was comfortable with writing about on the earlier form but now he has asked me to do it.

So what do I need to do;  
Do we just write a letter explaining we have new evidence and more information to add? 
Do we have to phone up, in which case will they allow me to speak for him with is permission?
Are 'face to faces' happening at the moment?  I am disabled and unable to travel to his appointment. Last time he went by taxi but we both want me to be there. I wonderd if they had started video calls yet like the GP's? 

 Thank you 

poppy12345

You need to report a change of circumstances for a worsening of condition by ringing PIP. They will send him more of the original PIP2 forms to fill in and return with all his supporting evidence.

Face to face assessments are currently suspended and telephone assessments have replaced them, which most people have. Unless you're his appointee you won't be able to speak for him but he can put the phone onto loud speaker for you to support him during the call.

Do be aware though that PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect his ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

If he does report the changes then his corrent award will continue until a decision's been made on the claim, providing the award hasn't ended in the meantime.

Cyclamen

Thanks Poppy thats helpful as usual from you. :-) so we need to brace ourselves and ring. 
To clarify
I dont want to speak for him .. just want to be there for support and to jog his mind eg.. tell them about X. He does the same for me but my assessments are at home. 
I know its not awarded on diagnosis but sadly they wouldn't accept he was in pain when walking last time because no medical evidence.. hopefully the rheumatology report /x-rays will support this.. nothing changed there.  Last time we didnt write about any of the challenges he faces with Autsim as he wasn't ready or aware the world wasnt like that for everyone and no 'evidence' although they were there.. so he has asked for them to be included. 

poppy12345

You're welcome. Yes, just ring the PIP telephone number to report a chnage of circumstances. Remember to put as much information as possible about how his conditions affect him against the descriptors. The more info you put, the better and adding a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time he attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to him.

Not having any medical evidence the last time, shouldn't have made any difference to his claim. Medical evidence isn't needed for a PIP claim, unless it states exactly how your conditions affect you, then it's not the best to send. Ancedotal ecvidence is always the best you can ever send.

Cyclamen

Thanks .. you know what its like sometimes 'shouldnt' is exactly what happens and when he was in a room on his own at interview place with open window and street noise, flickering light and feeling ill from journey it wasnt going to go well especially as at that time we were not including Autism as he hadn't accepted the label. 

But yes lots of real life examples.  I should start a diary really just a week. 

We are going to ring on Thursday.. I have my financial assesment for my social care on phone tmrw to battle first then will dig in for PIP. 

Alice_Holt

How many DL points was he awarded, and for what activities.
Can you get to the 12 points needed for an enhanced award?

Cyclamen

Good question Alice..we plan to sit down later and go through the points to check.
He should definitely now get the standard mobility but I think enhanced for both is possibility.

poppy12345

When you're sitting down to check, have a read through this. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

It's very long but well worth taking the time to have a read because it will give you both more of an understanding of the PIP criteria and exactly what the decriptors mean.