No change for PIP review

andy29_2

Hi, I have my first PIP review form which I need to send back. Nothing has changed since the tribunal decided I qualify, so I will be saying "no change".

I have written out descriptions of my difficultes again, mostly paraphrased from my original application form. I now need to decide whether to include all this or simply write "no change" and nothing else in the boxes.

On the internet I see complete opposite opinions about it from people who should know what they're talking about. Some say to give as much information as a new claim. Some say to write "no change" and nothing else. So what do I do? If they refer back to my original answers then they'll see that I pretty much copied them because it's all still true and I don't want to accidentally add new things. Will doing that make them unhappier than leaving it blank?

poppy12345

You need to treat it as a new claim and put as much relevant information as possible. Were you awarded anything by DWP for your current award, or was it all from the Tribunal?

andy29_2

Do you mean the points they gave before I went to the tribunal? My problem is with daily living and I barely got off the mark through the first stages, then the tribunal decided I should have 8.

Sounds like I can't really add anything significant because they'll take that as a change and send me through an assessment anyway.

poppy12345

andy29_2 said:

Sounds like I can't really add anything significant because they'll take that as a change and send me through an assessment anyway.

The majority of people have assessments anyway. As you were refused the first time, you risk the same thing happening again if you either include the same information or just write no change.

As i advised, in my opinion you should include as much relevant information as possible. Use extra sheets of paper because there's never enough of room on the forms to include everything.

I'm also surprised you received a review form when you were awarded by a Tribunal. Usually you're asked to reapply with Tribunal awards.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/pip-changes-and-reviews/help-with-your-pip-review-form/

Alice_Holt

I would strongly advise (as poppy says) not just to write 'no change'.
Fully detail the difficulties you have with the PIP activities (using additional sheets)
Include a copy of the tribunal decision notice.
Include copies of relevant medical evidence.
If you can include confirmation that your condition has not improved (from a medical professional, your carer, a family member, etc).
 

ev8

This is funny because I was going to start a thread today asking for advice on renewal forms and if it was OK to just put no change (as someone from the DWP said I could do and it would be fine when I called about the timeframe). 

I know I've done them before, but I have no memory of it. And I don't know if there's still descriptors that have to be hit or if there's any guides just for the renewal form or if the PIP guides stand for the renewal.

Alice_Holt

ev8 said:

 And I don't know if there's still descriptors that have to be hit.....

    You will have another full assessment during which the ATOS / Capita assessor will judge if you still hit the PIP descriptors criteria. 
Giving that assessor (from a private company) sight of a renewal form which fully documents your difficulties with the PIP descriptors, includes evidence, etc is much safer (IMO) than a form where the only info is 'no change'. 


 Certainly at my local Citizens Advice a reasonable proportion of client's PIP appeals we help with, are those where the client has just ticked the no change box on renewal forms, and has not explained further.

 The lack of info on the client's form makes the appeal process more uncertain, and the tribunal submission needs to be more detailed and comprehensive to enable the tribunal panel to get a full picture of the client's true abilities on the date of the renewal decision. The DWP can / will argue (possibly based on a flawed assessment) that claimant's condition / abilities have improved, often citing evidence from the 'typical day' section of the assessment to justify the decision to withdraw a PIP award.   

My advice (as poppy's) is to take it seriously, and put the effort in to write a compelling form to fully detail why and how you still meet the PIP criteria and why your award should continue (or increase).  

poppy12345

ev8 said:

This is funny because I was going to start a thread today asking for advice on renewal forms and if it was OK to just put no change (as someone from the DWP said I could do and it would be fine when I called about the timeframe). 

I know I've done them before, but I have no memory of it. And I don't know if there's still descriptors that have to be hit or if there's any guides just for the renewal form or if the PIP guides stand for the renewal.

It wasn't someone from DWP. It was someone from a call centre, who's unlikely to have any knowledge of the PIP process, especially if they advised you this.

Jyana

For PIP, one of the most important things to keep in mind when filling in the form is to make clear what aids you require and/or what outside help you need that make the activity possible or easier to do. It does not necessarily matter if you can afford that aid or help at present, gaining the award so that you can go on to get that help is what matters, but of course do keep things truthful and realistic.

For example, I have problems standing for any period of time. I do not assume that they will realise I need assistance with that once I mention it as an issue, but go on to say I need a perching stool when in the kitchen and when dressing, and then a separate seat in the shower. If you don't mention it in each section, the aid won't always be counted as being needed. 

I hope that helps. Good luck to both of you with the reviews.

TELLIT01

Do not just put 'No change'.  As the claimant, it is up to you to provide the information necessary for them to make a decision on entitlement.

andy29_2

Thank you so much for all the replies, it's so helpful. I will get in contact with the CAB, but I think I'll just do my best with this first form. I did my absolute best with the original "how your disability affects you" form with the help of a disability charity and other mental health workers and there's not really anything I can add five years on. I already described my typical day with the points in mind, filled extra pages with writing etc. I don't know what else I could tell them just like back then. All I can do is repeat it, other than trying to word it better. Especially if I'll likely need an assessment anyway. I'll make sure I try to have help at that point but even with my original assessment I had a mental health worker come with me. In the end all the above wasn't enough to avoid a tribunal last time.

This is making my head spin Will they have access to the evidence I sent after the original mandatory reconsideration (so only the tribunal saw)? Will they have access to all the original evidence I sent which I can ask them to refer to?