PIP Reassessment Time Scales

Starbright2

Thanks @Robbie64

After contacting the GP's again today even though the GP said she will see what she can do to get around to it quicker they say it's still going to be 1-2 weeks.

Now why didn't they say that in the first place! 🙄

So it's going to be posted Tracked 24 first thing tomorrow morning. I've written that I'm waiting for a GP supporting letter once I have it I will post it to you. I will also post that tracked 24.

It's a gamble because I don't know what the GP is going to write, but as they have now told me at least 1-2 weeks even if I ask for the two week extension it still might not be in time.

I did explain in the form I had to fill up online to ask for the letter all the key descriptor points I struggle with so fingers crossed 🤞

Thanks for everyone's help again much appreciated

peteuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100536#Comment_82100536

For me your wasting your time on both counts. GP letters aren't worth the paper they are written on and sending it 24 hour tracked means nothing, it will be signed by the post office on arrival at the depo which deals with DWP post.

Firstly, GPs letter are usually treated as irrelevant for PIP, it will only advise of the conditions and will have no bearing on the effects. Had you sent a consultants letter, this will add more prudence to the evidence your giving. Most people spend 5 minutes with their GP, not even face to face, these days (I was referred for a CT this week on the strength of a consultation by phone call).

Secondly, its been mentioned on here multiple times, that sending evidence to DWP is received by a sorting office, the signature will mean it has reached said office, and not the DWP. It will be put in a large pile of letters for them and sent to them. Just because you have a signature doesn't mean they have received it, or cant loose it.

Starbright2

Thanks @peteuk everyone's opinions are welcome.

On your first point, the letter I asked a GP to write last time & this time I've explained what I have difficulty doing which has a PIP descriptor I.E Cooking. I put on the form to the GP almost the same as I've written on the PIP form but shorter bullet points, which of my illnesses cause me problems cooking and so on. So the last GP letter I was written in support of my last PIP claim said:

** has a debilitating illness that affects every aspect of daily life dressing, washing, cooking…went on to mention walking no more than 20 meters because I gave that information to her and she can see from my screen that with the illnesses I have that I would struggle that much. She in fact never listed my illnesses at all.

If you just ask for a supporting letter for your PIP application then they have your screen & a vague memory of when they last saw you or spoke to you. So I agree those GP's letters are of no value.

On my last review 5 years ago the decision maker said:

With what you have written, what a day in your life is like & with the GP's letter I am able to make a decision & then went on to explain which descriptors she awarded me at how many points.

On your second point about sending DWP forms and letters tracked 24 yes you are right the post gets delivered to a sorting office, that then opens and scans the letters onto a computer & then indexed and put in the cue for the relevant DWP person to look at it. For me after having a review form lost in the post or at the handling centre once before & having to re do the whole lot again paying for the information that it has actually been received at the sorting centre means peace of mind & you have evidence that it is them that have lost it in the sorting office. Will the outcome be the same if they did lose it at the handling centre or in the post yes, but you can prove you did get the form/letter back to them in the time allocated to you.

You said "secondly it's been mentioned multiple times" yes it has & I have read all the replies from everyone & along with their opinions including yours, my own opinions and experience of the DWP I have come to the conclusion that I will send it tracked 24

thanks again for everyone's time & opinions whether everyone agrees or not it all helps me make my mind up what to do. I will pop here when I send the GP's letter

peteuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82100965#Comment_82100965

My point is, when I grew up my Mum saw the same GP every time, because of this they knew each other well.

In general this day and age your lucky to "See" the same doctor twice. If you walk into a doctors surgery and ask for a letter, they will almost write what every you want. Because they don't know you and they don't see you for long enough.

The PIP assessor will read it but usually disregard it.

Starbright2

@peteuk I understand your point.

And I wrote about my experience with asking for a supporting letter from my GP, or any GP in my practice. I actually said it does not need to be any particular GP, I.E does not have to be my named GP. The point I'm making is that if you ask for just a supporting letter for your PIP assessment no matter if that GP has seen you every time you needed to see a GP it would be unreasonable for them to know & apply the PIP descriptors because they are a GP and haven't the training to know what to write. You have to ask them & tell them what specific points that refer to the descriptors you struggle with.

You said " The PIP assessor will read it but usually disregard it.

Not in my case as I have written about in my last post. The decision make said:

With what you have written, what a day in your life is like & with the GP's letter I am able to make a decision.

It's how & what you ask for that makes all the difference & I hope many people will read this because it has worked for me & I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work for anyone else.

Anyway I genuinely appreciate your replies & I hope it helps many people see different angles of the same thing. If that makes sense

Starbright2

Had a letter today from PIP saying we haven't got your form back yet. You need to get it back to us by 31st August!

The date said the 17th of August which is Monday. The 31st of August is exactly two more weeks. So they have given me an extension of two weeks without me asking for it.

Pitty it's been posted this morning then

face plant smiley ugh!

Starbright2

Well I've got the GP letter & it's a good one. Trouble is it's been sent to my phone by text. I don't have a printer and even if I did it would not be on the GP surgery headed paper. So I've called them up and explained that for U/C that would be great but not for PIP or ESA, they are going to type it up & someone's going to fetch it for me when it's done.

I've got it, it's been photocopied on cheap printer paper. I know that's good enough for the DWP but for my £40 I expect a letter typed out ON headed paper!.

The main form has been delivered to the sorting depo with a photo confirming it. So now I'm waiting for that one to be scanned in and a text saying they have got it & hopefully on Monday send this GP letter tracked 24.

Robbie64

The surgery sent a GP letter to you by text? That doesn't sound satisfactory at all.

In the meantime, do you have access via the NHS, EMIS Patient Access or similar to your GPs records? The same letter could be on there as a PDF.

Starbright2

@Robbie64 yup it's a link in a text message starts with accurx.nhs.uk and takes me to the GP's online page ask's for my DOB then you can download the letter.

No I don't have access to my NHS records I've tried downloading the NHS app I get to needing Linkage key ODS code Account ID & I then give up

Starbright2

The GP's letter has gotten to the mail delivery depo.

So now I wait to see if they get scanned in 🤞🙏