PIP phoned my keyworker. "Handle with care" case? No assessment needed? Text confirmation.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thanks for replying

I didn't know they rarely contacted people so probably maybe should have checked and not have said it on the form.

I.donr know what I will do yet but there are pros and cons. I know what you mean.

I thought if they needed to contact anyone maybe nurse or keyworker was better than a random GP but maybe should've asked although I take ages to reply even here (anonymously) on a forum, editing and re editing things. 

I didn't mention I'm going through benzo withdrawal on the form due to fear, stigma/ stereotyping and maybe should have.

I'll see if I wait but have a habit of shooting myself in the foot. It should be a bonus really not having to go to an assessment. 

Anyway thank you for helping 

Cyclamen

Hello Ihatethinkingofusernames

My PIP last time round happened without me even knowing.  No renewal form, phone call or medical.. I just received a letter saying they had looked at my PIP and the information they had on file about me and renewed it. I didn't understand at first and assumed it was an error so someone phoned them for me. PIP confirmed that very rarely they do make decisions without seeing (in my case sending) the renewal form, face to face or both.

Huge relief for me as its such a horrid experience.. i chose not to get copies of the paperwork.. i don't need to see how stuffed my health is.. but would have requested them if i didn't agree with the decision. That's a personal choice, for me there is only so many times i want to see things written down.  


 

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thanks for replying.

I understan about not wanting to get copies of the paperwork and seeing things written about your health and it seems strange they renewed you claim but must be a relief not to have to go through this whole process as it is very stressful.

I didn't end up phoning up about copies as I was scared it may hurt my claim, but earlier today I received a text message earlier that they have awarded PIP.

I am glad they informed me and have acknowledged my illness, but have to wait and see if I agree with the decision.
I have read elsewhere it can take 3 to 5 working days for payment. 

I don't know whether I can phone them tomorrow and ask what I scored, and maybe request copies then unless that leaves me at a disadvantage if I feel I disagree and have to do a MR. Otherwise it leaves the whole weekend plus a few days more wondering.

Some of the concerns I had about what was said were there as I don't want them thinking "well it wasn't on the form and I am only saying some things when they highlight it".
I was going to say some things if asked when assessed.

I don't know if they saw the additional information bit but I did write that "I have others to take me to appointments and avoid public transport"
Whether it got sent in or not I don't know, but I do know my keyworker didn't mention that I get lifts when possible.

Last week was awful and I had to cancel a simple dental appointment as I was too bad leave the house and thus also couldn't travel.

I have tried to talk to my keyworker since and he just says not to worry but I feel a simple yes to some questions would have sufficed instead of elaborating (sometimes wrongly).

Anyway the news is positive for now and hopefully I will get what I feel I should.
I may write another post informing others about getting the text so others know and want to thank everyone on here for their support

poppy12345

You can ring PIP and ask what the decision is and they will tell you. When you receive the decsion letter it will go into some detail of where you scored the points and the evidence that was used.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello Poppy12345 thank you. 

I have been meaning to thank everyone for their help and did write a post and unsure if I posted it or I clicked back by accident.

You have answered the question I was going to ask. Thanks.

I decided against asking for copies of what was sent in to them, in case it affected the outcome somehow but may ask if I do phone them, so I am not wondering over the weekend about it.

I was also thinking (hypothetically) if I disagreed I would appeal but I'm unsure about it as since last week I have been feeling awful again. Not just because I was waiting for the decision but out of nowhere. Things actually change hourly.

2 hours ago I was a complete mess anyway and that version of me wouldn't dare appeal or pick a phone up in that state. Half OK now but still lingering 
I hate how non linear benzo PAWS is (in a "wave" that could last a long time) and I can't predict what I'll be like in the near future.

I may try to phone tomorrow if I'm fit to.

Anyway thanks so much. I really appreciate all your replies/ advice and that goes to everyone else who has helped on here too.

Robbie64

The PIP contact centre will be closed tomorrow (it's Saturday).

You might be able to find out what you have been awarded without speaking to anyone. When you phone up you should get the automated system which asks for certain security information (date of birth, sort code, phone number etc) and at that point it should tell you what your next PIP payment will be before you are put into the queue to actually speak to someone. From the payment details you are given it should be possible to work out what your award is.

poppy12345

Robbie64 said:

The PIP contact centre will be closed tomorrow (it's Saturday).

You might be able to find out what you have been awarded without speaking to anyone. When you phone up you should get the automated system which asks for certain security information (date of birth, sort code, phone number etc) and at that point it should tell you what your next PIP payment will be before you are put into the queue to actually speak to someone. From the payment details you are given it should be possible to work out what your award is.

Just to add further, that the payment details will not include any money that's owed. It has been known for people to panic when they hear the first payment details.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello thanks for that it was extremely information it was really useful.

I have been able to work out what I will get without speaking to anyone but had to phone twice because the first time it asked what my last payment PIP payment was which I obviously didn't know.

For future reference for anyone viewing this when the automated system asked about any benefits since January it only recognised when I said "income-related employment and support allowance" (I tried different variants of it like Employment and Support Allowance and it guessed attendance allowance)

I'm happy with that and it says next payment is in September is x amount and if I have done my sums right it matches up with figures shown on other sites (when I added together and multiplied by 4)

If it is right I'm pleasantly surprised and it is more than I thought I would get but I'm not counting my chickens just yet.

Thanks Robbie64 for suggesting this and Poppy12345 for adding the extra information, it was better than speaking to someone.
When I have phoned before I have withheld my number and never usually input my details before.

Bigwheels1111

You are winning the war well done.
Because it is a war with them

The person I care for 24 hours a day gets into quite a state when a brown envelope hits the door mat.
The deal is I open them before they see them.
9 out of ten times it’s nothing to worry about.
This years rate etc.
So I just file it for their records.
The last time, 6 years ago her claim came up for reassessment I filled out the forms as usual and waited.
Got the assessment booking, took them in answering most of the questions as they won’t speak to people they are not sure of.
Held up a carrier bag full of drugs, Mainly pain medication. Morphine, Morphine sulphate, gabapentin etc.
They never asked them to get out of the wheelchair thank good.
Anyway a few weeks later award came back, 16 points and 12 for walking.
Perfect.
But due to change in government award structure they should have got 10 year award as condition can only get worse.
They were scared to challenge this as 3 years is 3 years of money and stability.

3 years ago, I was waiting for the brown envelope to hit the mat and there it was.
Opened it and got the such a surprise I was gob smacked.
No form or assessment, just a 10 year award.

On the odd occasion they get it right.
We are winning the war with, Dwp, council, water, Pip.
Fight Fight Fight, never give up.
Because if you do they win.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello Bigwheels1111. Thanks for the reply.

I can imagine the brown envelopes causing distress for the person you care for. I am the same just in case it is an assessment. This is my first PIP claim but had them for ESA.

I don't blame them for not wanting to challenge the decision given it was 3 years and glad it was a good amount. Also, its good to hear they extended the award by 10 years without assessment as it is stressful.

I'm happy with the PIP award (touch wood it is right/ I'm correct)

I meant to change from ESA to UC before PIP decision came through as everyone has to move by 2024 and I would be slightly better off. I haven't changed yet due to anxiety, maybe triggering an assessment, f2f appointment etc.

I want to do it soon then I can hopefully forget about both for a while.
Maybe it's better switching from ESA to UC after PIP is paid anyway, as there will be a few weeks without ESA so I can use it instead of an advanced payment/loan.

I don't want to sound like I'm being greedy, or push my luck though and shoot myself in the foot (somehow I have a gift).

Even my brother is struggling atm more than I knew and not just financially, so I would like to be able to help out if I can.

I don't know if others would want to go through what they did when doing PIP form again.

Do PIP and UC talk to each other?