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PIP for x2 children

Hello,
Both my boys have difficult mental health problems. One of them has not long got out of the hospital ward and he has his own social worker. The other boy, he is not receiving any services at the moment. My question relates to PIP for both of them please. 

1. I was on the telephone when one of my sons had his PIP phone assessment about 2 months ago. It was myself, my son, and the PIP assessor. The decision from this assessment came back recently and I think he scored 4 points or something and no entitlement. Does anyone know if PIP keep recordings of the phone assessments? If so, has anybody ever been able to get a copy? I'm just amazed at the decision report. It's almost like they have muddled up my boy for someone else. The report reads like he is functioning okay in life and is not especially disabled. But this was not how the phone assessment went at all. He hasn't long come out of hospital either. 

2. My other son has his PIP phone assessment this week. I am not sure whether to ask to be involved or not based on the my above experience? And also, this son, he is probably wanting to do it himself, but right now, he is very mentally unwell, and he does not like to talking to anyone. I was the one who helped him with the PIP application. But now I am worried they will phone him, he will say everything is okay and he doesn't want interference, and they will give him 0 points. And he can't do anything himself hardly. Spends all his money as soon as he gets it. Doesn't get on with anyone. Can't look after himself well. Never goes to appointments unless I help him. The list is endless. I think they said Bipolar disorder, I can't remember. 


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Comments

  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,976 Forumite
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    They do not automatically record PIP assessments. For this you either need to request it to be recorded or record it yourself. For this reason there will be no recording of your sons PIP assessments.

    For the son that was refused if a decision's already been made on that claim he has 1 month to request the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR) He should put this in writing stating where and why he thinks he should have scored those points.

    A lot of assessment reports are flawed and the Tribunal already know this. For the MR you can highlight a couple of obvious errors but then leave it at that because concentrating on the report will not get a PIP award. (some may disagree) Most MR decisions remain the same as only 23% of decisions change at this stage so he may need to take it to Tribunal.

    For your 2nd son if you're his appointee then you can answer the questions on his behalf. If you're not his appointee then whether you should be with him during the assessment is your decision but it may help to just be there for support during the assessment.

    It will also help to have some understanding of the PIP descriptors and what they mean. This (long) link may help with that. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria


  • peteuk
    peteuk Posts: 2,197 Forumite
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    PIP does not look at conditions more the effect of these.  Also they will need to have suffered with the conditions for at least three month and likely to continue with it for 9 months.

    The effects must effect them for the majority of the time.

    As advised take a look at the PIP descriptors and target the effects to them.  

    For instance taking medication, do they take them as prescribed, do they need prompting, is there periods that they have been not taking medication.

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    Proud to have dealt with our debts
    Starting debt 2005 £65.7K.
    Current debt ZERO.
    DEBT FREE
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
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    edited 6 February 2023 at 3:31PM
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
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    1)   This is a good guide to PIP appeals:
    https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal


    For the MR:
    https://www.advicenow.org.uk/pip-tool

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683380/if-you-disagree-with-a-decision-made-by-dwp.PDF

    Other 70% of PIP appeals succeed (so poor are the assessors - especially around mental health) at tribunal. So do follow through.  Your son's local advice charity may be able to help:
    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

    If not this site has an excellent guide to appeals (and the PIP process):
    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-appeals
    (but membership costs c.£20 pa)

    2)  I'd suggest attending - if your son is happy with that.
    Perhaps make notes, and see if you can outline your son's conditions, medical history, and his difficulties engaging and talking about his condition (again if your son wishes you to do that).
    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-medical-assessments
    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-assessment/
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,976 Forumite
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    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
    As per
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.

    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,976 Forumite
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    edited 6 February 2023 at 9:21PM
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
    As per
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.

    Apologies! I seen Pete’s comment earlier this afternoon, which I quoted. Then typed my comment and had an emergency at home which I had to deal with and hadn’t posted my comment beforehand. 

    When I came back all those hours later I just clicked “post comment “ without even thinking of of checking to see if there were any other comments. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 6 February 2023 at 10:11PM
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
    As per
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.

    Apologies! I seen Pete’s comment earlier this afternoon, which I quoted. Then typed my comment and had an emergency at home which I had to deal with and hadn’t posted my comment beforehand. 

    When I came back all those hours later I just clicked “post comment “ without even thinking of of checking to see if there were any other comments. 
    No need to apologise - I’m sure I’ve done similar to you before! I have certainly posted after having been distracted before starting and finishing. Hope your emergency was sorted.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • peteuk
    peteuk Posts: 2,197 Forumite
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    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
    As per
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.

    Apologies! I seen Pete’s comment earlier this afternoon, which I quoted. Then typed my comment and had an emergency at home which I had to deal with and hadn’t posted my comment beforehand. 

    When I came back all those hours later I just clicked “post comment “ without even thinking of of checking to see if there were any other comments. 
    Apologies should be mine, I wasn’t aware of the age limit, which makes sense under 16 DLA, over 16 PIP.
    Proud to have dealt with our debts
    Starting debt 2005 £65.7K.
    Current debt ZERO.
    DEBT FREE
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,976 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    calcotti said:
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:

    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    They can’t be under 16, if they were they wouldn’t have been able to even start a claim for PIP. 
    As per
    calcotti said:
    peteuk said:.
    How old are they? If under 16 then DLA may be easier to claim, as the criteria is different.  Please note I’m no expert.
    It’s not a case of which is easier, if they are under 16 they cannot claim PIP.

    Apologies! I seen Pete’s comment earlier this afternoon, which I quoted. Then typed my comment and had an emergency at home which I had to deal with and hadn’t posted my comment beforehand. 

    When I came back all those hours later I just clicked “post comment “ without even thinking of of checking to see if there were any other comments. 
    No need to apologise - I’m sure I’ve done similar to you before! I have certainly posted after having been distracted before starting and finishing. Hope your emergency was sorted.
    Thanks, appreciated! Yes everything is ok now, thanks for asking.
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