Pip and tax credits

marie91L

Hiya,

I have two linked questions, I’m a newbie so bear with me. 

1. Do the DWP ever disagree with the assessor? I had my assessment last week and the assessor was lovely and more or less said I’d be entitled to pip (I know i can’t take it for granted) 

2. Would tax credits back date the disability element? I currently get child tax and working tax credits. I know that PIP backdate payments from the time you applied but IF I’m eligible would tax credits back date the disability element to the time I applied?

poppy12345

1/ The assessor should not have said anything to you because it's not their job to do that. They do not make decisions, just recomemendations only. The assessor will write a report, which will be their opinion based on everything you sent and what you said during the assessment. This will then be returned to DWP and a decision maker will look at that as well as all your evidence before making a decision.

2/ If it's you that's working and you're awarded PIP then yes you'll be entitled to the disabled element. If it's a partner that's working, not you then you'll need an award of Enhanced daily living PIP to qualify for the severe disabled element. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/disability-element it will be backdated to the start of your PIP award.

marie91L

Thank you. I was a bit taken aback, but at the end of the assessment she said “if you’re eligible you’ll be getting back paid but tbh you don’t need to worry about that as I can tell you you’ll be fine so they’ll be a nice lump sum coming to you” 

and yes it’s me that’s working so I guess I just wait for the decision letter and see. 

poppy12345

She's right about is being paid from when you rang to start your claim, if successfully awarded. As for anything else then nothing is final until the decision is made. This can take up to about 12 weeks once the report is returned.

Spoonie_Turtle

The DWP usually go with the report, not always but usually.  You can request a copy of it if you'd like, once DWP have let you know they've got it back (should be no more than a week after the assessment).

marie91L

Had my text. This morning at 8.02 on a bank holiday but I’m thrilled! 

We have awarded you PIP. We have sent you a decision letter explaining the award. Please allow 2 weeks to receive this. You only need to contact us if your circumstances change.