Submitted my Personal Independent Payment PIP application, what happens next?

trinidadone

Hello all, I submitted my first PIP application a few weeks back. 
I currently have a number of disabilities and health conditions which affect me day to day. I have just about manage to hold down a job, although i have been ill since last summer. Was wondering if anyone knows what happens now, time frames, etc....

beanielou

Time frames are impossible to predict. It’s really just a waiting game. 

Spoonie_Turtle

What happens next is they'll almost certainly contact you with an appointment for an assessment.  Unfortunately it's not really known how long that might take, it could be months.

trinidadone

Spoonie_Turtle said:

What happens next is they'll almost certainly contact you with an appointment for an assessment.  Unfortunately it's not really known how long that might take, it could be months.

I am actually a little bit frightened to be honest. I have heard alot of horror stories. Also, the anxiety and depression would properly kick in, although i will try my hardest for it not to. do you know how long the assessments take and if they are in person, telephone or online?

trinidadone

I am actually a little bit frightened to be honest. I have heard alot of horror stories. Also, the anxiety and depression would properly kick in, although i will try my hardest for it not to. do you know how long the assessments take and if they are in person, telephone or online?

Spoonie_Turtle

At the moment most assessments seem to be over the phone but it's difficult to predict whether yours will be whenever they get to you.  Also the length varies - they say an average of an hour, 45mins to 1½hrs isn't unusual.  

It's understandable to be dreading it, but it could turn out to be fine.  Ultimately though even if the assessment turns out badly, what matters is what you actually score according to how PIP is properly determined.  And, if the assessment doesn't go well, please try to remember it's not personal (even though it feels like it is!).  They routinely do it to people so it's not just you.

That said, there are also plenty of people who have good assessments and get the right decision first time.  So it really is a case of, be prepared for the worst, just in case, but hope for the best.  Whatever happens will happen - if you get a bad assessor nothing you can say will change that - and if you have a good assessor they'll take everything into account, not just what you say during the assessment but also what you've written on your claim form. 

And if you do end up having to challenge the decision, you can always ask here for advice.

It's not a nice process but if you should qualify for PIP according to the law, then it'll be worth it.

Newcad

Always remember that you only read about when things go wrong and people shout and/or ask for help.

The thousands (millions?) of times that everything goes with no problem nobody needs to shout about or to ask for help - so you don't see those.

trinidadone

Thank you both of you. i will let you know more nearer to the time.

trinidadone

Hello all, I decided to call the DWP as I received a text message several weeks ago telling me someone is looking at my application. I was advised my assessment (if I need one) should be completed by friday of next week, and I should call the helpline if I had not heard from the company looking at my application. The nerves are kicking in once again. I really hate assessments.

born_again

If you have not heard from assessment company. It is possible that they are doing a paper based assessment.

In which case 1st you could know would be a text from PIP saying they have got your assessment & will be in touch.

Or assessment co are just being slow. 

After Mrs assessment, it went for a internal audit at assessment co. Added 5 weeks to the process.

Good luck. We all know this waiting is the worst part. 👍