PIP question

Jack_bauer24

Update: I phone PIP up yesterday (April 19) to see if I can apply online, instead of form, the adviser said, yes, that is fine, so they changed it to an online application which I got it in my email and I need to apply by 19 May. 

So, after my GP appointment by phone on Monday, I will ask the receptionist to email me my medical evidence and my fit note so I can upload it with my PIP application.  

It's much easier this way, then filling out a form. 

Muttleythefrog

Jack_bauer24 said:

Update: I phone PIP up yesterday (April 19) to see if I can apply online, instead of form, the adviser said, yes, that is fine, so they changed it to an online application which I got it in my email and I need to apply by 19 May. 

So, after my GP appointment by phone on Monday, I will ask the receptionist to email me my medical evidence and my fit note so I can upload it with my PIP application.  

It's much easier this way, then filling out a form. 

Oh great... nice to see them being helpful at the DWP.

Do check any information you intend to supply as evidence.... obviously PIP has specific criteria and anything consistent or supportive of what you say including diagnoses can't do harm. A fit note may be of limited if any value (for PIP) but check it is at least consistent with what you're saying in PIP claim before including it.

Jack_bauer24

Muttleythefrog said:

Jack_bauer24 said:

Update: I phone PIP up yesterday (April 19) to see if I can apply online, instead of form, the adviser said, yes, that is fine, so they changed it to an online application which I got it in my email and I need to apply by 19 May. 

So, after my GP appointment by phone on Monday, I will ask the receptionist to email me my medical evidence and my fit note so I can upload it with my PIP application.  

It's much easier this way, then filling out a form. 

Oh great... nice to see them being helpful at the DWP.

Do check any information you intend to supply as evidence.... obviously PIP has specific criteria and anything consistent or supportive of what you say including diagnoses can't do harm. A fit note may be of limited if any value (for PIP) but check it is at least consistent with what you're saying in PIP claim before including it.

I will do. After my PIP assessment, could I ask a copy of the telephone assessment, or will they not do that? sorry if this sounds a stupid question, I never claimed PIP in my life so I don't know how it all works. 

It's just I have been hearing a lot of awful things when people have their first assessment and the person on the phone tells lies about the claimant. . 

Muttleythefrog

Jack_bauer24 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Jack_bauer24 said:

Update: I phone PIP up yesterday (April 19) to see if I can apply online, instead of form, the adviser said, yes, that is fine, so they changed it to an online application which I got it in my email and I need to apply by 19 May. 

So, after my GP appointment by phone on Monday, I will ask the receptionist to email me my medical evidence and my fit note so I can upload it with my PIP application.  

It's much easier this way, then filling out a form. 

Oh great... nice to see them being helpful at the DWP.

Do check any information you intend to supply as evidence.... obviously PIP has specific criteria and anything consistent or supportive of what you say including diagnoses can't do harm. A fit note may be of limited if any value (for PIP) but check it is at least consistent with what you're saying in PIP claim before including it.

I will do. After my PIP assessment, could I ask a copy of the telephone assessment, or will they not do that? sorry if this sounds a stupid question, I never claimed PIP in my life so I don't know how it all works. 

It's just I have been hearing a lot of awful things when people have their first assessment and the person on the phone tells lies about the claimant. . 

I understand you can ask them to have it recorded whether in person or telephone assessment... but ask the assessment company as soon as you can after they arrange your assessment (assuming you have one of this nature as most do). I also understand you can record it yourself but I'd suggest to save one or two issues and keep your focus on the assessment itself get them to officially do it and they'll send you a link to the recording.

Crucial throughout claiming PIP... at every and any stage... is never lose focus of the activities which you suffer disablement regarding and the descriptors that apply to you for them... and how you explain and give real examples of your disabilities and difficulties that would lead them to scoring you the correct descriptors. If you do face an assessment your completed 'PIP2 - How your disability affects you' form should essentially read like a revision document for the day of that event.

peteuk

Jack_bauer24 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Jack_bauer24 said:

Update: I phone PIP up yesterday (April 19) to see if I can apply online, instead of form, the adviser said, yes, that is fine, so they changed it to an online application which I got it in my email and I need to apply by 19 May. 

So, after my GP appointment by phone on Monday, I will ask the receptionist to email me my medical evidence and my fit note so I can upload it with my PIP application.  

It's much easier this way, then filling out a form. 

Oh great... nice to see them being helpful at the DWP.

Do check any information you intend to supply as evidence.... obviously PIP has specific criteria and anything consistent or supportive of what you say including diagnoses can't do harm. A fit note may be of limited if any value (for PIP) but check it is at least consistent with what you're saying in PIP claim before including it.

I will do. After my PIP assessment, could I ask a copy of the telephone assessment, or will they not do that? sorry if this sounds a stupid question, I never claimed PIP in my life so I don't know how it all works. 

It's just I have been hearing a lot of awful things when people have their first assessment and the person on the phone tells lies about the claimant. . 

Equally you can request a copy of the report that the assessor writes. 

It’s very easy to say assessors lie about claimants - and as an ex pip assessor I can hand on heart say I never lied about a claimant.  I may have had to apply rules I disagreed with which makes it look like there are some untruths but my hands were tied.   I say this in my experience because a claimant doesnt always understand that some activities are instantly disregarded because of the types of conditions they are suffering and that sometimes evidence can be used to contradict what the claimant says. 

For instance if someone claims arthritic wrists but drives a manual then their left wrist is strong enough to change gear, grip a steering wheel  ect.  Now if you only drive once a month and it takes two days to get over it then thats different to driving the kids 4 miles to and from school, and Id also add its sometimes the effect that activity has, that is lost in the assessment.  Yes you may be able to do something but how often and what is the effect. 

In these cases I would look at the assessment and then use the MR route to challenge the decision. 

Jack_bauer24

Update: Hi,

I applied for PIP on Tuesday online, and yesterday I received this text, does this mean I will need assessment first before I get a decision to see if I can get awarded PIP?

How easy is it, to get PIP? I never claimed PIP before, but my health is bad. My leg won't bend, and it's a struggle getting into the bath to have a shower and it's also a struggle getting out as It will take me a few minutes as I need to be careful when I get out of the bath so my knee cap won't dislocated again, have I got a better chance getting PIP because of this? I explained everything on the application and provided a few evidence from my GP.

I also suffer from Agoraphobia, as I haven't left my flat for a whole year, and I also suffer from social anxiety as I live in a block with 3 other flats, and I don't check my post box in the communal until neighbours have gone asleep to avoid bumping into them which is about 2.30am - 3am when I check my post box.

And I also suffer from Dyslexia and other issues which I won't go into on here, but with these conditions, am I going to get refused or awared them?

I just phoned PIP up, and I asked them if I need assessment, It needs to be by phone, so she noted it down for them to know.

Any advice would be great, thank you in advance.

poppy12345

Most people have assessments so yes you should expect one of those. They are mostly by telephone. If they send you an appointment that's face to face you can ring them to change it to telephone. 

No one will be able to predict what the decision maybe, you will just need to wait. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Regarding how 'easy' it is to qualify for PIP, I don't know if you've been given links to read before but understanding how it's assessed is important.  Have a read (if you haven't already) then you'll be able to work out whether it's likely you do qualify.

Daily living and going out are under two separate components of PIP, so if you score less than 8 in total for either one then you won't get that component.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/  - and the PDFs linked therein

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria  - long read but worth it to understand the exact scope of each activity

Muttleythefrog

Jack_bauer24 said:

Update: Hi,

I applied for PIP on Tuesday online, and yesterday I received this text, does this mean I will need assessment first before I get a decision to see if I can get awarded PIP?

How easy is it, to get PIP? I never claimed PIP before, but my health is bad. My leg won't bend, and it's a struggle getting into the bath to have a shower and it's also a struggle getting out as It will take me a few minutes as I need to be careful when I get out of the bath so my knee cap won't dislocated again, have I got a better chance getting PIP because of this? I explained everything on the application and provided a few evidence from my GP.

I also suffer from Agoraphobia, as I haven't left my flat for a whole year, and I also suffer from social anxiety as I live in a block with 3 other flats, and I don't check my post box in the communal until neighbours have gone asleep to avoid bumping into them which is about 2.30am - 3am when I check my post box.

And I also suffer from Dyslexia and other issues which I won't go into on here, but with these conditions, am I going to get refused or awared them?

I just phoned PIP up, and I asked them if I need assessment, It needs to be by phone, so she noted it down for them to know.

Any advice would be great, thank you in advance.

Standard text when the DWP refer your case to their assessment company. They have not decided yet whether an assessment is necessary but for a new claim I would certainly expect one. Definitely agree a phone assessment more advisable. The next text will be more revealing (unless it's about delays to process!) as it'll likely be either to say the DWP have all the information they need or you'll be notified of assessment...the latter is more likely here.

How easy.... it can be very hard to intolerable (I'm sure it has killed some people) or easy (some will fly through the form and get an award with minimal fuss or stress) and most in between.... depends on case, conditions, luck... too many variables... including how technically good the applicant (or their representative) can be in explaining difficulties and understanding relevant criteria. Many claimants do end up having to appeal decisions.. assessments can be good or bad.. .accurate or a disgrace... probably most a mixture of both..lol. It's logically easier to get PIP if you do qualify for it in theory. Given the basic details of what you say there is a possibility you'll get PIP... people with such conditions can.. but it comes down to convincing them of relevant disabilities. 

peteuk

Your PIP application will be triaged with the outcome being one of the following 1) More Info, 2) Paper assessment 3) Assessment 

As this is your first pip application it is more than likely you will be required to go through and assessment either over the phone or face to face.  The difference being that at a face to face assessment they use to do movement assessment, which they obviously cant do over the phone.   In extremely rare cases they can do home visit assessment (this was prior to Covid) 

The assessment is meant to last approx an hour, and will cover the social aspects of life, your housing situation, education, employment, pets, hobbies + interests and then will move over to the two mobility and then the ten daily activities.   

If you have noted on your questionnaire that you do not have any difficulties in a section, then they will check this is still the case and then zero score it. 

As above you need to fully understand the descriptor of the activity and tried to stick to it. For instance preparing food is a simple meal for one on a hob.  So not being able to bend to take things out of the oven is irrelevant, the activity doesn't call for oven use.  Equally I cant stand to cook doesn't mean you cant prepare a simple meal, you can sit to cook.

Leaving the house is difficult because the threshold is so high…

Will you get pip, you’d be foolish if you believed someone who says Yes, as it’s down to so many things.  I would suggest you are prepared for a score that doesn't award PIP, so that if you do score enough then it’s a bonus.  Always remember there is a process to complain about  the assessment outcome, even if you are awarded PIP but feel the outcome is wrong.