I’m looking to have a reassessment of my PIP award, not a process I’m looking forward to, my issues haven’t changed it’s just I now have a better understanding of and much better able to articulate how my conditon impacts my daily life which I’ve learnt is key to answering DWP questions. I do now
But for anyone who has gone through a reassessment- positive or negative regards outcomes - any tips / advise?
I have standard mobility award after first being rejected but then on reconsideration awarded for three year period. I don’t feel this award truly reflects my particular case. For the reconsideration I just called up and what I said on phone was the reconsideration and I wasn’t able to point out some incorrect bits in the assessment, thought there’d be another form to fill etc so want to get it right this time.
I have some idea about most key sites and sources of info as well as it being a minefield but it’s been a while so any guidance or just personal experiences people can share would be most welcome.
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If you do qualify for PIP then the best way to ensure your receive your allowance, is to pay for one of the guides produced by disability rights solicitors in this area, they guide you through what to say what not to say and what the gradings are, I think most are under 50 pounds, but you may find enough information for free. Remember all the answers are graded and thats how the assessment runs, and you have to build up enough points to qualify, Note - I am not on PIP and this is my opinion of the system, of course it can lead to abuse which is unfortunate. Be aware that they video record you from the moment you enter the car park to check everything is coherent.
For decades more benefits have gone unclaimed than are over claimed - too many people are terrified of being accused of cheating on benefits and do not apply for fear of the penalties
The application processes are designed to make it difficult to show that you qualify - questions are designed to get information on what applicants CAN do, but it's what they CAN'T do which leaves them needing the benefits
when i did the over the phone original assessment i was too "conversational" and the assessor was more interested in other ailments than my heart condition - i only felt the need to make a claim regards heart as had coped with other ailments for many years. this time when i answer i am sticking to the reliability criteria regards safely, repeatedly etc as that is their definition of whether can or can't do something. so agree they ask what you can do but its about how reliably can you do something as far as i can see. cheers!
There is free assistance available from a range of charities, starting with Citizens Advice. Age UK also help, and foodbanks may be able to signpost to other local organisations that will get involved. Many people cannot afford to pay for help. Hence they need benefits.
thanks i will look at as many resources as possible and prepare my answers accordingly before I even pick up the phone to the DWP to ask about the reassessment so its all clear in my mind.
thank you for replying, last time the assessment was over the phone and there were inaccuracies i didn't get to address later. i will search up those resources hoping I can find free but if comes to it will pay.
hi i have been diagnosed and have letters clearly stating impact now regards heart condition. coincidently awaiting MRI scan of spine lumbar and sacral - pain and cramping on top of the angina doesn't help extent to which i can stand / walk as well as affecting stability. might wait for outcome before ask for assessment. thanks for reply
- I insisted on a taxi to take me as it was in the east end I’m west London. My MP was involved from the start and I took all my medical papers which they copied.
I would also like to be on a higher rate but worry I could lose out.
If you are refused for the higher rate, that doesn't mean you will lose the standard rate. If you are entitled, apply, and if you don't get the higher rate, appeal. Tribunals are run by HM Courts, not by the DWP. They are more interested in facts than in refusing as many people as possible.
that was my fear too - don't poke the bear as it were. it seems a scary process but part of this post is to get myself prepared before I even pick up the phone to DWP! thanks
Get help filling in the form from CA or if BHF has somewhere near you ask them for help. As you will find simple things are classed as aids. The soul less robots at DWP had denied me disability benefits from 1988 when my symptoms got worse and couldn't go out on my own and when we went out as a family I was in a wheelchair. Walking short distances with my stick since I was 29. Told no diagnosis no money .
2022 finally had my diagnosis at the age of 63 and it's a rare hereditary neurological condition plus the problems with my heart . Was also born with a hole in the side of my heart found that out in 2020/2021. Because of can't write very well because of my tremors in my hands my daughter filled in the forms sent 45 pages of letters from GP, neurologist and cardiologist. Phone interview which lasted hour and 46 mins. I was given zero on everything. MRN letter was the same as the decision letter just the sentences changed order.
Luckily I was told about the Brain Charity they got me a solicitor pro bono and she sent off the forms to go too tribunal. She told me I was I was entitled to UC and the people at the job centre couldn't have been kinder and sent for the health UC forms. Had been entitled to it for years and didn't know .But had face to face assessment after how I was treated by PIP didn't trust phone interview and got it.
My solicitor asked me to get a copy of my assessment. It was 23 pages long the only page without errors was the last page where she signed and put it took her 38 mins to write. Took me 2 days marking all the errors and writing an email for my solicitor saying what was wrong and what I said. Took over a year to get a tribunal date and a support worker from the Brain Charity went with me . I was very nervous and expected to be turned down . But the tribunal couldn't have been kinder. It's a real judge a doctor and there was a disabled man on my panel. It was supposed to last hour but only took 50 mins and they had everything they needed. We didn't wait 10 mins before we where called in and they had awarded me enhanced PIP for living and enhanced PIP for mobility indefinitely and the tribunal was on 29th August 2023 they back dated my payments to when I applied for the forms which was 7th March 2022. The judge apologised for the way I had been treated and sorry he couldn't back date it further .
The decision letter comes on Crown court paper and the judge had a few not nice comments about how the DWP PIP had treated me . A copy of the letter is filed at the court ,copy to me and copy to DWP PIP .
I became a pensioner last year and the Brain Charity told me to contact CA to see if I could get pension credit you can apply 3 months before your state pension date. I was with them 3 hours a hour waiting for pension credit to speak to someone. I had given permission for her to speak for me after me answers some questions. It was all logged . The lady wrote down exactly what I had to say to pension credit when I phoned on my birthday which I did and much to my surprise I was awarded some pension credit. £70.04 per week . But having the pension credit meant I got the winter fuel allowance and £150 from my energy supplier credited to my account. Plus money off my glasses.
So please don't give up fighting for what is rightfully yours took me 35 years but I got there . And last year had my first holiday for 19 years and I no longer have to worry about money . As on the 6th I will have been widowed 21 years . I am now 66.
Thank you . After my husband died in 2004 I was constantly worried about money . Because he was 47 his private pensions paid out lump sums but had to be very careful with money his money ran out just after I inherited half mom's estate . But knew what money I had left wouldn't have lasted until I got my pension last year . My darling daughter said they would pay my bills but no way was I going to let her do that .
Plus I knew people who where less disabled than me who went on holidays abroad every year lived in rented accommodation and got benefits for everything .
But thanks to the Brain Charity and the solicitor they got me ,my caseworker at the job centre and lady at CA they couldn't have helped me more .The PIP tribunal where so kind as I expected to be turned down but I won and it was such a relief . And I don't worry about money anymore . Still very careful with it . I wasn't brought up with money so always saved and got my bargains and didn't have a holiday for 19 years until last year . I actually managed to put a bit into my savings account the weekend . Instead of taking out which I haven't had to touch since getting both UC and PIP . Plus having my pension and bit of pension credit.
I think money worries can have an impact on your health. I know when energy prices soared I could only have the heating on 3 hours a day which made my physical health worse .
Taking the winter fuel money off some pensioners was awful . I know some are well off but many missed out which really needed just because the had a few pounds over the limited to get it. So wrong .
My husband paid a lot of NI and tax during his 30 years working as he was well paid . He thought I would get half his pension. I get 48 p per week from his NI contributions . The excuse I was given was well he only paid 30 years I pointed out he died when he was 47 in 2004. The phone was out down on me .
If an official hung up on you, that is grounds for a written complaint.
Money worries absolutely have an impact on health. Stress is real and it makes every health problem worse (speaking as a cardiac patient myself). Inadequate heating is dangerous for some conditions as well.
My parents owned a business for nearly 30 years. When my father retired, his pension was large. A few years later my mother retired and her pension was minuscule. When she looked into it, she was told that the assumption was that my father was the real head of the business and she 'helped out a bit' in between looking after the children! In fact, the reason the business was successful was that my mother worked nonstop. Between house and office, she put in 70 hours a week every week for 25 years. My father was more like a 9 to 5 employee.
Sorry your mom was so unfairly treated . It still happens to this day. I did complain about the woman who put the phone down on me but never got a reply. So just left it. But happy with what I have now . I have never been extravagant. My husband used to have to badger me but new clothes even when I didn't need any. He just liked buying me things . Never brought himself anything . If I didn't buy him some he would have been happy to wear holey knickers . This might make you smile he tried boxers once but cotton ones . Came home from work and they went straight into the bin. He said he nearly castrated himself climbing up and down ladders . He liked his y fronts and everything in place as he said.
But that was my idiot klutz of a husband my knight in shining armour. Who I miss everyday but I am lucky to have been so loved and loved in return.
your persistence has paid off, its awful you have had to work so hard to get what your entitled to. I am also wondering if face to face may be better than phone. thanks for sharing your difficult and long journey, will be taking some notes whilst hoping my journey is not so hard but its good (might be necessary) to be prepared.
I would never trust a phone assessment again. I also think if you put yes to anything they don't bother to turn the page to read how you have to do things . My daughter spent 3 hours filling in my PIP forms and put yes to things then filled the page with how I have to do things as I can't accomplish things as an able bodied person would. But over the decades found ways to achieve what I want but my way. I use things like the handles of my Oxo can opener to open jars and bottles as it has large rubber handles it takes me a while but I am stubborn. Also I didn't know at the time that would be classed as an aid. The Brain Charity opened up my eyes to what is classed as an aid. The tea towel I use to cover my clothes when I eat at home is classed as an aid. Because I need to use it as my hands shake all the time and drop food down me . Even putting my hand in front of my mouth when eating with others is classed as an aid. HPX means while eating food can fall out of over mouths and don't realise it so to stop that I use my hand as no one wants to see that. Having my food cut up for me when eating out is also an aid. Plus I have to eat using a spoon and fork. At home I have homemade soup for lunch and stew for dinner all year round . Having my drinks put into a bigger cup is an aid. But didn't know any of this when my daughter filled in the form. That's why it's so important to get help from CA or charity that covers your condition. The Brain Charity covers all conditions which effect the brain over 600 conditions . If the question says can you get into a car I would have said yes but I should put no because I can't get into a car without help . I have to perch on the front seat and taxi driver or who I am with has to grab the front of my trousers to put my legs in as I can't get them in myself. Then the reserve to get out.
There are so many day to day things that we use to make our lives easier but they can be classed as an aid . But unless you talk to an expert like CA or charity you don't know these things . Because we just do things but our way and it just becomes normal for us.
I wish you well on your PIP journey but don't give up fighting. When I was waiting for a person to talk to at PIP to get a copy of the report that the phone assessor had filled this was 2022. I was holding on for a hour and every 10 mins a recorded message said Ukrainian nationals don't worry your PIP payments will not be stopped. WHAT! To say I was livid would be an understatement but didn't say anything to the person I spoke to as I just wanted the copy of the form .
But I was told that as soon as as we took in people escaping the war . They where give all the benefits that there entitled to . And yet people in this country I for one couldn't have my heating on for more than 3 hours a day because of the rise in energy costs . People died because of the cold . People are still needing food banks. And food banks are in some hospitals for the people who work there .
Yes there are people who are frauds and shouldn't be on benefits but they know how to work the system. But there are a lot of people not claiming benefits because they are frightened or don't know they are entitled to them . It wasn't until my dad died we found out he was entitled to attendance allowance and that was only when mom had a leaflet through the door saying she may be entitled to attendance allowance this was 4 years after he died.
Mom did get attendance allowance because a very nice man came to the house and filled in the form for her from Age UK. I was there with her as she never had strangers in the house on her own .
Sorry this is all over the place but it's how my mind works .
My daughter (now 50) has a congenital heart defect that has deteriorated to heart failure. She is on a cocktail of drugs and her heart is now fully paced. She lost her PIP award a year or so ago. Rather than raise an Appeal, she was advised to submit a new PIP application with all the previous paperwork along with an update from her cardiologist (a consultant at The Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital).
A month later she got a call from the DWP to say that her PIP Award had been re-instated and backdated to when it had been ceased. The DWP's view was that as the PIP award criteria hadn't changed and her medical condition had not improved (and was unlikely to do so) then the original decision to award PIP had not changed.
That said, as taxpayers we have to accept that the welfare burden is significant and increasing: many would argue that is becoming unaffordable. By 2045, for every two people that retire at 65 there will one 20 year old contributing to their pension etc. In sum, I can see many welfare awards being withdrawn as the award criteria is changed along with stricter assessments.
Let's try not to make the discussion political. A very large chunk of the money to deal with Covid was from borrowing which costs us £Bns per year in interest. No Government can afford to fund State Welfare and Pensions from borrowing: the money has to come from economic Growth ( we have none) or taxation. The UK Welfare spend for 24/25 is estimated to exceed £300Bn (10.8% GDP) - nearly 25% of the Government's annual spend. All I am pointing out is that this expenditure has to be managed in the context of other Government expenditure; eg, schools, defence, NHS et al.
As taxpayer we have a right to claim the benefits we need - while I fully appreciate that this means we have responsibilities, pointing this out may not be helpful in this context
Too many people do not claim benefits they need for fear of being accused of scrounging or cheating. So far all types of government have continued to make the application process difficult and biased. People in need do not need to be guilt-tripped.
There is no guilt tripping from me. All I am pointing out is that the Welfare Bill is unsustainable in economic terms. This financial year the OBR forecasts a Welfare overspend of £8.6Bn. The cost of PIP has risen 63% in 5 years and the number of monthly applications has doubled. This is the Government’s response:
But this information is not helpful for the person who posted. In my opinion it is not necessary in this context.
The economic and political background is not something that person can change in time to influence their application. So explaining it is not making a positive contribution.
These are good points, and I believe you can find sample questions online, might be worthwhile doing a practice runthrough with a friend, its important to be prepared for this type of interview and stick to your plan.
yes i want to be better / fully prepared so I can clearly articulate and therefore answer their questions. may sound strange why taken a long time but this last year has been about better acceptance and understanding of my own condition and its impact and how my daily life has changed in a way I can now better articulate / communicate to other people as well as myself. its been a bit of a learning curve.
thank you for that clear advise - that reliability criteria is key. I need to remember to ask myself before answering yes or no.
i think I'm at a point where after having observed and understood but most importantly now accepted how my condition impacts (that has taken some time) and am able to better articulate this to others i think i am in a better place to answer can i do this reliably, repeatedly etc.
Great thats good to hear, I really hope you get your allowance, and being prepared is key. One last piece of advice if they ask you to perform some action like turn your hands over, if its painful to do so, or any other reason, it's better to respond with " I am sorry I can't do that its painful". than to go ahead and do it, remember you are not their to please the assessor.
apart from the politics I agree with what’s been said. I claimed for my daughter, got turned down. Then had an appointment with the citizens advice bureau, got turned down. Appealed, got it within four days and backdated the six months that all this had taken. They also gave points for something to which she was NOT entitled, so I sought legal advice (“can they take it all back?”). I was advised that if it was their fault that’s tough on them, they cannot change it.
The crucial thing is to get someone to help you fill the forms in, keep a copy of what you’ve done. Then get help when they turn it down.
Many of these organisations may still have local branches, but the helplines are often pretty busy. Some are staffed by trained, knowledgeable volunteers who may have experienced similar issues themselves.
Benefits in this country are poor compared to those of our European neighbours, and decades of demonising UK applicants have resulted in a mindset often shared by the public. Bear in mind too that PIP staff - who are required to have a formal healthcare qualification - are employed by huge private outsourcing companies with government-set targets for turning cases around as quickly as possible. That means they don't have the time or patience to really listen. The standard forms they use are rigid, with little scope for individual circumstances, and staff don't stay in the job long. Example (from a Reddit post reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments...
"There's a reason they're always looking for more of them. You're spending all day asking people very invasive questions (How do you wipe your backside after a bowel movement? Why don't you just not bother or wear nappies?) for a couple hours. Many of these people are desperate for support that doesn't exist and will likely cry. You write a report, which is then mostly crossed out by a 'decision maker' who claims no evidence was provided of xyz despite it being bleeding obvious. Person gets no help. Assessors generally last about 3 months then quit."
Despite their professional training - which by definition should be appropriate and sensitive to the individual - PIP assessors are expected to work within strict limits and be deaf to individuals' experiences, in a system that considers some people more worthy than others; they're likely to be under strict orders from bosses higher in the food chain to deny, deny, deny. No wonder they don't last long in the job.
None of the above is intended to excuse the appalling treatment of claimants, but to encourage you to be strategic and make the assessor want to help where possible.
You can have a companion to support you at an assessment, if possible someone who's confident and not easily intimidated by the situation. They can help you prepare for the interview beforehand - what papers do I need to take with me, what questions do I have about the process, what are they likely to ask me? - as well as take notes and remind you of something you've forgotten to ask about. And yes, get one of the above organisations to help you complete the form; and where possible involve your MP as well as your GP and/or consultant, providing as much written medical evidence as possible.
If the assessment result is negative, you can challenge it by:
1) Requesting a mandatory reconsideration from the Department of Work and Pensions: for this, you need to download and fill in the CRMR1 form at gov.uk/search/all?keywords=...; then print and post the form to the DWP. If you can't use the form, write a letter to the DWP with the reason(s) for your appeal; make sure to ask for a reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter.
2) Appealing to a tribunal if the DWP doesn't change their decision: Fill out the SSCS1 appeal form or the online form on GOV.UK. Include the grounds of your appeal, explaining as clearly as possible why you disagree with the DWP's decision. Provide evidence, or further evidence, to support your appeal, such as a report from a specialist, therapist, or nurse. You have the right to attend a hearing by phone, video call, or in person; again, it's a good idea to have someone with you at any hearing. According to Internet reports, something like 70% of appeals are successful.
Further advice can be found on: gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision; and you can contact the benefit appeals helpline (run by the Courts and Tribunals Service) for questions about appealing a benefit decision: 0300 123 1142 (England and Wales).
yes definitely helps and very thorough, also the insight into the assessors. will certainly help with preparation. I'm going no where near actual DWP till I have looked into the process etc. i absolutely boobed on the mandatory reconsideration on my original application - i rang up thinking I'd be sent a form to complete but what i said on phone they took as my response regards what i disagreed with i was so unprepared. luck would have it they then awarded standard mobility. so your detailed response is very much appreciated.
Hello, I'm a volunteer with a charity that helps with PIP applications and appeals.
The DWP will try to say that if you are all right on some days, you are all right all of the time. They need to be told how bad it is on your worst days, how often you have them, and how long it takes to recover afterwards (if applicable).
The legal definition of ability says that you only count as being able to do something if you can do it safely; to an acceptable standard; repeatedly and in a reasonable time period. Guidance also says that 'pain, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea and motivation' should all be taken into account.
Use those words (safely, repeatedly, etc.) when explaining your answers.
The questions are very specific. Always make sure your answer is directly relevant. Quantify if possible: how long does it take you to carry out the different activities; do you have to stop while you are doing them, or rest afterwards?
If your condition is worse than it was at your last assesstment, make sure you point out that it's worse, and spell out how it's worse: "Last year I could get dressed in 30min. Now it takes closer to an hour because pulling a jumper over my head hurts and I have to stop and rest." Or, "I can still get dressed in 30min except for putting on a jumper. Now it hurts too much to pull it over my head, so I have to wait for someone to come and help me put on a cardigan."
Make sure you have medical evidence. Appointment letters do not count. You need letters that name your diagnosis and your current issues, and whether you are still waiting for treatment or have ongoing treatment. These can be from your GP, consultant or other professionals such as physiotherapists or psychotherapists. If you take any medication, list your medication and dosage.
Medical evidence is the most important, but you may also submit supporting evidence from anyone who helps you manage, such as a family member or friend, or anyone else who observes your condition regularly and can comment on how it affects your life and whether it is getting worse.
If you have a telephone assessment, ask in advance for it to be recorded and a copy sent to you. This makes it easier to remind them what you said and what they failed to consider.
Best of luck and don't give up. If you are turned down, appeal the decision. Remember that tribunals are independent of the DWP and they don't get a bonus for every refusal. They look closely at the actual evidence and are not merely looking for excuses to reject the award.
Go to “Benefits and Work” site. They are excellent and I believe they offer a course on PIP for a minimum sum. I am a long time carer and have always turned to them for information. Good luck!
I recommend the site too. We have a professional subscription to keep us abreast of changes to DWP policy and PIP requirements. They charge for some of their services but some are free, for instance the sample tests they offer.
"The legal definition of ability says that you only count as being able to do something if you can do it safely; to an acceptable standard; repeatedly and in a reasonable time period. Guidance also says that 'pain, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea and motivation' should all be taken into account."
I added whether I could do the action by choice.
If your action or activity causes pain later that counts too. You don't need to experience exertional chest pain.
As I experience my chest pain at rest in a delayed response to exertion, cold, mental, emotional and physical stress, this was important to convey to the DWP.
On reassessment my PIP was enhanced for both sections indefinitely.
I included copies of my clinic letters, discharge summaries from hospital, my home oxygen form, prescription.
Any test results performed since my first PIP assessment.
I had an angina attack during my first face to face assessment, the assessor had to stop..
I had Cardiology, Neurology and Pain Management clinic letters.
I got help from the benefits and works website.
They helped me use the right language to describe how my refractory vasospastic angina effects my life.
thank you, i am certainly going to look at getting help with this. i definitely can't meet that legal definition of ability in all areas, and "pain, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea" are my hourly/ daily loyal and trusted companions!!!! regards motivation - pain is a great demotivator.
Good luck. Many people who used to get PIP, have been refused even after an appeal. I'm afraid it seems this government is determined to get the economy going, and people's needs especially that which involves payments are not even in the agenda. I wish you all the best.🤗
I have never paid anything the points page gives you everything you need I was given the link by benefits advisor. Maybe there's something extra if you subscribe but I have found just knowing how they award points enough to guide you on how to apply
I did subscribe to the full information available.
The free information may help guide you about how to apply, however it doesn't give enough information to help you actually succeed with your PIP application.
The advice available through the subscription is invaluable. I was able to successfully apply for my PIP, which I had enhanced for both sections, indefinitely on my first application.
Oh that's good I was on standard for both from 2017 but last review a couple of years ago I got standard care and enhanced mobility. But now I have Heart Failure and sleep apnea. So maybe I will give it a go
thanks i have sleep apnea now diagnosed and using CPAP, am awaiting MRI scan of spine lumber and sacral as pain affecting my mobility on top of heart condition. yes i too fear poking the bear, but since first assessment / award I have two cardiologist letters saying I'll never get better and nothing they can do for me. so me too - not going to suddenly get better!!!!!!
Always tell them what you are like on your WORST days as sometimes we can have a good day and we forget about the days we cannot control it. Good luck!
hi will definitely do that, I get angina when bpm over 90 sometimes 80 when standing / walking and then doing something . then it can take up to 30 minutes (10 minutes if milder) to recover once rest (excluding any emotional or environmental triggers) so technically no day is a good day. thanks
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