Pip for long covid 30 September 2022 at 12:47PM in Benefits & tax credits 11 replies 1K views

kippo1

Hi

Just like to say thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my posts about claiming pip for long covid,
Just received a letter through the post from the dwp saying they have awarded me enhanced pip for both sections,

I wasn't going to apply because after many internet searches i couldn't find anyone who has successfully claimed and even doctors were getting turned down for it,
but the lady who gave me my telephone assessment seemed to know a lot about me/cfs and long covid and how the fatigue can effect you on a day to day basis.
So anyone reading this who's had to give up work because of long covid do put in for pip because people do get it, they probably just don't post about it.

So thanks everyone for your help

Robbie64

Good news. Out of interest, how long is your award for?

kippo1

it ends August 2025 with a review anytime after August 2024.
hopefully i wont need a review and my condition will have improved by then.
one question if i had a review Oct 2024 and i got the dreaded 0 points would the award stop in Oct or 
would i still receive it till Aug 2025.

thanks

Robbie64

kippo1 said:

it ends August 2025 with a review anytime after August 2024.
hopefully i wont need a review and my condition will have improved by then.
one question if i had a review Oct 2024 and i got the dreaded 0 points would the award stop in Oct or 
would i still receive it till Aug 2025.

thanks

Any change to an award takes effect from when a decision is made so if you have a review in October 2024 and a decision is made then to award you 0 points it would take effect from then and not August 2025 (i.e. your claim would end in October 2024).

Spoonie_Turtle

Good news, and thanks for updating!

I would add, this shows that even if people are refused for Long Covid at first, it is very often worth fighting - people CAN get appropriate awards despite all the horror stories.

tifo

Robbie64 said:

Any change to an award takes effect from when a decision is made so if you have a review in October 2024 and a decision is made then to award you 0 points it would take effect from then and not August 2025 (i.e. your claim would end in October 2024).

Why award for 3 years when they can stop it after 2 years

calcotti

tifo said:

Robbie64 said:

Any change to an award takes effect from when a decision is made so if you have a review in October 2024 and a decision is made then to award you 0 points it would take effect from then and not August 2025 (i.e. your claim would end in October 2024).

Why award for 3 years when they can stop it after 2 years

Because they need to leave time to carry out the review process.

poppy12345

tifo said:

Robbie64 said:

Any change to an award takes effect from when a decision is made so if you have a review in October 2024 and a decision is made then to award you 0 points it would take effect from then and not August 2025 (i.e. your claim would end in October 2024).

Why award for 3 years when they can stop it after 2 years

As reviews usually take place about 6 months before then it’s unlikely to stop a year before it ends. 

Robbie64

tifo said:

Robbie64 said:

Any change to an award takes effect from when a decision is made so if you have a review in October 2024 and a decision is made then to award you 0 points it would take effect from then and not August 2025 (i.e. your claim would end in October 2024).

Why award for 3 years when they can stop it after 2 years

When a Case Manager sets a review date for a PIP award, the end date of the award is set for 12 months after the review date. In the case in this thread, the review date for PIP has been set at 2 years from date of decision with an end date set for a further 12 months. The review date is usually the length of award recommended by the Health Care Professional. The extra 12 months is to give time for the review process to complete before the award ends.

peteuk

Long Covid was questioned when I need my PIP training.  Like everything PIP there’s no straight answer.  I was advised think of it as ME or FM (similar symptoms so similar questions) but it does come down to the effect it has.

Spoonie_Turtle

peteuk said:

Long Covid was questioned when I need my PIP training.  Like everything PIP there’s no straight answer.  I was advised think of it as ME or FM (similar symptoms so similar questions) but it does come down to the effect it has.

A majority of people with Long Covid do meet the diagnostic criteria for ME, so that's good advice as long as people view ME properly - as the legitimate, debilitating neurological condition it actually is. 
The major, major difference between LC/ME and FM is PEM/PENE - Post-Exertional Malaise / Neuroimmune Exhaustion.  Not 'just' fatigue (as if fatigue isn't bad enough) but a real worsening of symptoms, which if pushed through results in permanent deterioration.  Which is exactly why so many people now have Long Covid, because they didn't know to and/or couldn't rest properly like their body needed.

There's also a lot of dysautonomia in both patient groups, which is often overlooked.  (Less so with Fibromyalgia.)