PIP review – reuse original answers or reword?

kah22

I’m helping a family member with a PIP review and looking for real-world experience.

Their situation is fairly straightforward: They broke their neck in childhood. Pioneering aurgery repaired it but left permanent damage. They can walk, but have ongoing pain that comes and goes and affects them day to day.

I have the original PIP2 form and supporting evidence from the original award, and their day-to-day impact hasn’t really changed.

A few questions based on people’s experience:

• If the original answers are still accurate, is it usually fine to reuse them as they are, or is it better to reword them for the review?
• At review stage how closely do decision makers refer back to the original award compared to focusing on any changes?
• In practice, how strictly is consistency treated when nothing has changed medically or functionally? Broken necks are lifelong

Just trying to avoid overthinking it or accidentally changing wording that doesn’t need changing.

Any real experiences would be appreciated.

Spoonie_Turtle

I can only help with the first question, but it's fine to use the original wording. They can preface it with 'since my previous assessment, my health / abilities / disability hasn't really changed, I still … '.

Just read through it, tweak anything that needs tweaking especially about daily routine, update examples of last time they tried to do certain things. But the basis can remain the same if their situation and difficulties are unchanged.

Muttleythefrog

Agree with above… I would also use their last independent assessment report (paper based or in person or otherwise) as evidence if you agree with it/it recommends the relevant descriptors…. and focus on a theme of no change to health or disablements as relevant. As above… some updated examples of difficulties might be advisable.

HillStreetBlues

I will add one thing, is award correct?, if so then can use old answers.

kah22

thanks guys - pretty much like I expected. I just hope he doesn’t go through the same as he did before

kah22

what’s the last independent report - is that the info I give them, or say from his doctor

Muttleythefrog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989966#Comment_81989966

At assessment…or reassessment… the DWP normally (uncommonly they don't) consult their independent private Healthcare Professionals Company which provides disability assessments… for many that leads to a face to face or telephone assessment with a Healthcare professional and resulting report… in some cases they will give opinion based on paperwork alone. Almost always the DWP take a decision based on the results in that report… the recommendations of what descriptors apply in the 12 categories of disability assessed. I would always advise claimants get hold of a copy of such reports after assessment as they can be valuable.

Obviously in this case we don't know if a report was produced - the chances are very high that there was one and if there was a face to face assessment at the time then there definitely would have been one. It can be useful as if you agree with its recommendations then you can use it as supportive evidence at future reassessments.