PIP is new to me - how long does it take? And what changes do I need to tell them & when?

elsien

have you understood the descriptors when you were filling in your form?

The way you say physical assessment it sounds like you think a medical person is going give you the ones over and that’s not what the assessment is. It’s a discussion around the impact your illness has on you and what you need to support with within quite strict criteria.

Spoonie_Turtle

You will definitely have to have an assessment, yes. Whether that's in person or by telephone we don't know. But it's that assessment that informs DWP what decision to make, whether a person qualifies or not.

The PIP process goes: phone up to start the claim → receive form, fill it in, return → assessment → decision.

(It can be many months between returning the form and having an assessment.)

Also just to expand on the 'long term' point and that people have correctly said you need the difficulties to have been at least 3 months and expect them to last a further 9 - that's set in the law for PIP, it's not optional or discretionary at all.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a descriptor is satisfied on a day in the required period if it is likely that, if C had been assessed on that day, C would have satisfied that descriptor.

(3) In paragraphs (1) and (2), “required period” means —

(a)in the case where entitlement to personal independence payment falls to be determined, the period of 3 months ending with the prescribed date together with–

(i)in relation to a claim after an interval for the purpose of regulation 15, the period of 9 months beginning with the date on which that claim is made;

(ii)in relation to any other claim, the period of 9 months beginning with the day after the prescribed date.

(b)in the case where personal independence payment has been awarded to C -

(i)during the period of 3 months following a determination of entitlement under a claim for the purpose of regulation 15, the period of 3 months ending with the prescribed date together with, for each day of the award, the period of 9 months beginning with the day after that date;

(ii)in any other case, for each day of the award

And then 3 months/9 months is reiterated in several sections thereafter.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2013/9780111532072

B0bbyEwing

Thanks.

Also, I didn't phone or fill out their paperwork. I did it online.

I did get their paperwork shortly after. I phoned to ask if they wanted me to answer all the questions a second time. They said no, they have my online application.

Chrysalis

I think the biggest thing here is the expectation of having the needs for at least a year (3 months prior to claim, and 9 months after).

If by the time you assessed most of these needs have gone, I dont expect you will be awarded PIP, but obviously my opinion is not gospel.

B0bbyEwing

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056477#Comment_82056477

It may not be gospel but I don't imagine in this day & age that they'll be jumping at the chance to hand money out. I see them as I see insurance folk - any way to get out of it no matter how small.

magicmoneyportaloo

I think you need to tell them what your needs are when you have an assessment (whenever that is). If you don't meet the daily living / mobility descriptors now, I would probably cancel the claim tbh.