DLA to PIP backdated?

[Deleted User]

RobinHill said:

Nonsense poppy12345, claiming earlier has nothing at all to do with the point, the topic of backdating is common to both scenarios. However I do buy the complication of any reduction.

The fact is, your getting no backdated money, nothing more to say or do. 

RobinHill

MarkN88: Your contribution to this post is what exactly?

Alice_Holt

Another possible way of looking at this:

 "If you tell the DWP that your condition has changed, they will ask you to apply for PIP instead of DLA (and if your condition has got worse, you might get more money when you’re assessed for PIP, but you might get less because the PIP rules are different)."

 You are not being assessed for the same benefit. The criteria for PIP is very different to the DLA criteria.
To spell out some examples - 
a)  With DLA it was possible to get a high rate mobility award if you can't cover 50m, with PIP this has reduced to 20m for the enhanced rate.  Remember that PIP was introduced with the intention of reducing the HMG's welfare budget. Here is some information on this:
https://contact.org.uk/media/685030/campaigns_dbc_consultation_response_on_moving_around_criteria.pdf

b)  High rate DLA can be awarded if there are night time care needs in addition to day time care needs. No such criteria exists in PIP. 

 So, a decision based on a PIP assessment cannot have any relevance to an existing DLA decision - the rules are completely different.  

Rather than becoming upset with posters who have given you information (your contribution to this post is what exactly?, etc), you may wish to discuss with your MP why the legislation is as it is. 

Ask the legislators to explain why if someone is not in receipt of a disability award, the award is paid from the date of application; whereas if someone is in receipt of an existing disability award, the PIP award is paid from the date of the assessment.  By all means post the replies here, it would make interesting reading.


You say that you have been advised to apply for PIP early (rather than wait to be for the DWP invitation), I hope this advice was sought from an advice agency familiar with the PIP criteria. Unfortunately the reduction of 50m to 20m, and some health conditions not fitting around prescriptive PIP descriptors, resulted in quite a few people experiencing a reduction in their disability payments.  

Good luck with your PIP assessment. Let us know how you get on.  

What DLA award are you currently getting, and what PIP award are you hoping for?

RobinHill

Alice_Holt: Thank you for the constructive response. Yes I think the issue should be pursued, this process should not be determined by DWP delays / regional backlog differences etc, hence the principle of backdating. However it seems some fellow members have a different opinion and less of an appetite.

I have a progressive neurological condition. Some 20 odd years ago I was awarded DLA at higher rate mobility and lower rate care. Around 7 years ago with worsening health I made enquiries but with the introduction of PIP and the problems people were having the advice was to sit tight and wait until pushed to so speak.

My health has deteriorated significantly since, my condition has progressed to relying on a variety of aids, not limited to but including calipers, crutches and a wheelchair to mobilise, and sadly my hands are now quite badly affected. During last summer visiting LA OT staff raised concerned at my award level and suggested I would attract a higher level of care.

With the help of a friend who has significant experience of PIP applications (100% success rate, enhanced at both, without interview ie. paper only) and CA we went through the descriptors and I scored 42 to 54 points on DL (27 evidenced), and 16 on Mobility (again evidenced). The aim was to as far as possible provide professional evidence to support each claim in the descriptors so as to minimise the scope for the assessor to disagree.

I spent some period collecting in excess of 30 medical documents and reports from specialists involved in my care, fortunately they were more than willing to assist.  Some of the supporting documents were fantastic. The way that the consultants / specialists worded them they may well have just stated what PIP points I should attract. 

Whilst the matter is subjective and there is risk, the advice that I have received stated that I need to apply for PIP as my low rate care is no longer appropriate. I am a bit nervous, but the specialists and people helping with this state that it should not be a problem due to the strength of my case and application. It will be interesting to see what the assessors come back with. 

Thank you again for the reply.

[Deleted User]

RobinHill said:

_shel: How'd do you draw that conclusion ie. I lose nothing? The difference is likely already into 4 figures. The longer the DWP draw this out then the more they save. Given that I am not alone then the policy stinks.

Hi It was your decision to apply for PIP in the hope I assume of getting more money? You have to be patient things are for obvious reasons taking longer than usual, look at it another way if your PIP award is lower than your DLA award you won't be asked to pay anything back.
Good luck with your claim.

RobinHill

Hi venison,

Thank you for the reply and wishes. There were a number of factors behind the decision, it wasn't solely about more money.

First and foremost was probably the reaction of the OT specialists when they found out that I was on low rate care, that set the thought process rolling.

Then perhaps more importantly was the fact that I am going to have to do this at some point so thought better doing so in my own time rather than on the date limited prompt of a brown envelope dropping on the doormat. This point was proved as it took quite some time to gather all the information and then complete the application, we did this before applying. That said money is also very important since assistance and care doesn't come cheap.

As mentioned earlier I have a neurological disorder which results in my peripheral nervous system gradually deteriorating, causing the muscles to waste. I am also diagnosed with ASD traits. There is barely a single part of my body and its functions that are not impacted in some way, from obvious topics such as toileting to silly things like picking your nose or scratching an itch!! (sorry if that was too much detail). Due to various comments in the media etc I had been fearful of PIP, however TBH it was a bit of an eye opener as I was able to make claims in every single descriptor section in the application form, most of which were evidenced. 

I would go as far to say that it seems that PIP is a better fit for helping people like myself, but we'll have to wait a bit longer to see if this is really the case.

poppy12345

RobinHill said:

I spent some period collecting in excess of 30 medical documents and reports from specialists involved in my care,

This ^^ concerns me. In my opinion that's far too much evidence. Less is very often more and yes i also have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in PIP claims. I claim PIP myself as well as my younger daughter.

I've just completed her 2nd paper based review with a decision made within 6 days of returning her review form. Timeline is as follows. Paper based review achieved in 2019 also.

PIP form sent 27th January, through 1st class post and obtained proof of posting. 9th February brown letter of dread arrives, obviously not expecting it to be anything to do with her PIP. Opened the letter to my complete surprise it was the decision letter dated 2nd february... award stayed the same for 6 years until Feb 2027.. Enhanced for both parts.Finally, she has a PIP award which is longer in length because this was her 3rd review since 2017 when i first claimed PIP for her.

Evidence sent was 1 ASD assessment report and 1 other assessment report from the learning disability team. Both reports have been previously sent for her review in 2019 because i have no new evidence.

Filled the form in with all the relevant information and added 2 very recent real world examples of what happened the last time she attempted that activity for each descriptor that applied to her. In total there was 3 A4 sized pieces of paper which was typed and printed so easier to read because my writing isn't great and can often be difficult to read.

30 pieces of medical evidence is an awful lot for anyone to read, if they even bother to do that. You also have to be 100% sure that 1 piece doesn't contradict another, which can easily happen with all that evidence.

Good luck with your claim.

RobinHill

Who knows for sure poppy12345, pros and cons either way. As you can probably gather the effects of my disorder are wide reaching, there is currently a list of over 20 active conditions as a result, each impacting on daily life. It isn't simply a matter of say not being able to walk etc, it affects pretty much everything.

There is also the issue that I understand that my condition is considered a rare disease and as such some medical professionals will not have even heard of it let alone encountered it. So much so that I would often be asked if students could participate in my appointments as they would probably not experience it otherwise. In addition the impact varies from person to person, my brother and my daughter have it too but are fortunately barely affected, however I am severely impacted by it (unlucky I guess), so it seemed necessary to provide supporting evidence rather than just submitting "I cannot walk" etc.

It seemed best to back up each descriptor claim with supporting professional evidence. Unfortunately there is a lot of it ie. claims and evidence. You are correct though in that there is a lot to read through, and the possibility of contradiction but we were especially mindful of the latter. There is the risk that whilst it shouldn't, it has delayed matters.

Two of my friend's adult children are ASD with severe LD. Her experience has, where available been to backup each and every claim with supporting evidence, that way it isn't just a claimant saying such but one backed up by professional opinion which takes some challenging by any DWP HP.

Once over and done with, it may be an idea to ask the DWP/HP for their opinion of whether too much supporting information was supplied. But equally if successful you probably may not want to overly change it for future submissions.

Let's just hope that there isn't too much longer to wait. Will keep you updated. Regards

[Deleted User]

 I agree, baffle them with science and evidence i say dont just let them work off the form. 

 I found my nephew who also has epilepsy was given the exact same points as me. Which was wrong because things can effect people very differently. Wouldn't mind we don't have the same type of epilepsy or seizures! Plus we both have other conditions. 

[Deleted User]

Please come back and let us know how it went.