PIP Surprise: Out of the blue, I... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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PIP Surprise

releasethemagic profile image
46 Replies

Out of the blue, I received a letter from DWP about my PIP. My award did not expire until August 2021. I was expecting to have to fill in forms, have another face-to face and possibly end up at Tribunal all over again.

Instead the letter said they had all the evidence they needed and the decision is to continue my double enhanced award that the Tribunal gave me, for a further ten years. I was amazed. All the stress has been taken away. It is such a contrast with last time when I had an 18 month fight to get PIP.

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releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic
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46 Replies
ToroNero profile image
ToroNero

Great news! My wife is dreading having to go to another assessment. The amount of evidence that wasn't shared with the DWP by the assessors was unbelievable. We struggled for months before we finally managed to get it overturned. Our greatest weapon was a letter from her GP reiterating all the facts and my wife's history. £30 well spent.

Clairelb75 profile image
Clairelb75

So just totally random letter, not in response to any renewal forms? I thought 10 year awards were given only to over 65. This has totally improved my positive outlook I'm trying out. Dwp doing what they rightfully should 👍

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic in reply to Clairelb75

Yes, totally random letter. A huge surprise and a relief.

Clairelb75 profile image
Clairelb75 in reply to releasethemagic

My award ends in june 2021 but informed that renewals are 6 months before end now ,it used to be 12. I wonder why they pulled yours up early? And also, would they have still a report from it. Saying that, after hubbi won appeal they awarded the next one without a f2f, so hopefully cutting costs on tribunals.

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to Clairelb75

I thought so to, I turn 66 next month and have been give a 6 month extension till next June , I was hoping for the ten year extension

I got a letter I think mine was due this July but it's been postponed till next June due to covid

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to

Mine was due December but just got a 6 month extension, I started state pension this week

030973 profile image
030973

Congratulations l am truly happy for you

Welshcatlady profile image
Welshcatlady

Great news. a weight off your shoulders. xx

My friend had this letter too earlier this year we assumed it was because she is 66 now and a pensioner. Are you receiving your state pension release the magic. I am hoping now I ama pensioner my forthcoming review at the end of this year will be a light touch one x misty

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to

Hi , I was hoping for that but all they did was extend mine for 6 months due to COVID, I turn 66 next month and have just started on state pension, mine was due to end in December but they have extended till June, I’m hoping that I will hear more before then

in reply to angelm54

Hi I have been a state pensioner since November and I turned 66 in April. I will be nearer 67 when my PIP award is due for review and of this year. Although I didn't start receiving my PIP till the February so I think the true review date will be then xx

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to

Since November, thought it was just a month before, I was on ESA and have lost £100 a month going onto pension, it’s just that I was hoping for the ten year award rather than a 6 month extension but at least I’ve got it till then and hopefully will get the ten years in June next year

in reply to angelm54

I was on ESA until November and that is when I received my state pension at the age of 65 years 6 months and 22 days, that's how the Government work out your pension age on a rising scale, its up to 66 years now for people to get their pensions. I have a small NHS pension but all they did was deduct that from my ESA when I was on it. When I got my state pension it meant I got my NHS Pension in addition. My lifetime DLA award was taken away and I had to apply for PIP which means as they only awarded it for 3 years I have a review forthcoming at the end of this year/ beginning of next. As I will be almost 67 years of age by then I hope they do a light review and I hope (there are no guarantees) that they award me for 10 years this time

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to

I just thought that as your birthday is April then you would have got in in March, as in they do it by year, I learn something new every day, yes I’m hoping for the 10 year one but as I said they have extended it just for 6 months for now x

in reply to angelm54

that's not the case since the Government changed the Pension ages for women. Never mind I have it now. Yes I know about the extension I follow the DWP guidelines online and on Fightback4 Justices page on facebook

Cairngorm profile image
Cairngorm in reply to

Hi, I am a bit of a newby to all this pip. I was thinking of applying for pip I am aged 62 and feel I can no longer continue working after 2 decades of Fybromylgia. I have reduced my hours until I can reduce them no more. The thing is I have an NHS pension and will get a government pension at 66. Will they deduct this if I am a successful applicant. I honestly have tried everything I have been asked to.

in reply to Cairngorm

Hi Cairngorm, they deduct this from ESA (Employment Support Allowance). However PIP is not means tested and is unaffected by any other income you may have coming in. PIP is Personal Independent Payment and helps people with disabilities, it is worth applying for. Should you need any help there are various organisations can help with your application, I do believe there is someone on here who can help with it although personally I used Fightback4Justice who helped me complete the forms, they are a donation run charity and although there is a fee to have your forms completed its worth it. Some people I understand, use CAB although I have never done so myself. The simple answer to your question is NO your pension will not be deducted from PIP.

Cairngorm profile image
Cairngorm in reply to

Thankyou so much for your reply. That is helpful.

in reply to Cairngorm

you are most welcome.

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic

That's the strange thing - I still have 6 years to go until I get my State Pension, but when the 10 year award expires, I will be on State Pension.

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to releasethemagic

It is quite strange but nevertheless you have it and that’s good , they just extended mine by 6 months to next June even though I have reached 66 before the end of the previous award, I’m hoping I will get the 10 year one

angelm54 profile image
angelm54

That’s great I was hoping for that as I turn 66 next month, however they just extended till next year , just another 6 months, I hope that will change before then of it though x

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic in reply to angelm54

The DWP have been reviewing my ESA too, even though I get no money as my Ill-health pension is deducted from it, reducing the ESA to zero. I am in the Support Group and just get my National Insurance contribution towards State Pension. The ESA review has been a light touch one too, so no forms or face to face, just a request for updated ill health info.

Pbyllis profile image
Pbyllis

That's brilliant news hopefully thanks will happen more often save on all the stress 🌷

Spacereturn profile image
Spacereturn

I also received a letter I was due my pip review this year but my award is for another 10 years it’s such a relief I think I’ve been one of the lucky ones as I was awarded pip first time I applied I also have arthritis and cfs .

Clairelb75 profile image
Clairelb75 in reply to Spacereturn

Hi spacereturn, are you in receipt of your state pension too.

Spacereturn profile image
Spacereturn in reply to Clairelb75

No I’m 55

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to Spacereturn

I’m finding it strange that they are awarding the 10 years to people under pension age and just extending ours even though we have now reached pension age , DWP for you I suppose , I have arthritis in my feet , hands, hips and back

Georgie777 profile image
Georgie777 in reply to Spacereturn

Hi spacereturn. I hope you don't mind me asking - but are you on the high rate for both? The reason I'm asking is they seem to be doing this a lot for people on high rate on both - but I'm not sure if you have just one high rate and standard on the other - as I do that they automatically renew like yours has.

Spacereturn profile image
Spacereturn in reply to Georgie777

Hi I’m on high rate for both

Georgie777 profile image
Georgie777 in reply to Spacereturn

Thankyou for replying - that is a hell of a lot of your mind now. I wish you well.

Spacereturn profile image
Spacereturn in reply to Georgie777

Thank you I just wish it could be the same for everyone

Ehfibro profile image
Ehfibro

Hi, I have fibro, CFS, and OA in knees, hips and neck. My PIP was awarded till July of this year, for which I was on lower amounts in both care and mobility. I was on higher moblity the time before but they took the car away. I have been on DLA/PIP for 10 years and each time I have had to go to tribuneral to fight the DWP decision. Last time when they took the car away, (I lost at that tribueral) the DWP bloke was sat next to me in tribuneral. When the 3 tribuneral people asked me a question and I answered the DWP bloke "want to use a different word but it would not be allowed" would then voluteer what he wanted to say to the bench. When they took back the car I was house bound for 12 weeks when a family friend informed me that I could draw down my company pension, which I did and bought myself a car. During the tribuneral the DWP bloke leaned towards to me and wispered "well you've got a car now" I was so shocked I just looked at him and then I was asked another question by the bench. I was awarded the lower on both till July of this year.

Then last November I got the forms again and ended up having the f2f meeting, which

lasted 2 and a quarter hours. I was in so much pain by the end of this

f2f that on leaving the building with my son I was in tears.Needless to say when I had the f2f this time I was convinced that they would throw me off PIP, as I reach state pension age next year, and I would never again be able to get a mobility car. I was so supprised when the letter came to say that they had awarded me the lower level on care (which is right in my case) AND the higher level on mobility, I burst into tears with relief that I was not having to fight and go to tribuneral again. I phoned my Mum and she said after awhile - how long have you got it for - I said I don't know I haven't read that far down and when I looked it is till Nov 2029. A full 10 years - I will be 74 then.

Are the DWP finally recognising how disabling Fibro is??? So, so pleased for you. I can imagine just how you feel. Good luck and best wishes to everybody else that is going through PIP, I wish you all the best x Elaine

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to Ehfibro

It’s just strange that they are not awarding the 10 years to ones that have reached pension age already

Ehfibro profile image
Ehfibro in reply to angelm54

I know, I just don't understand it. Why they brought us in well before ours was due and then in my case not having to fight and go to tribuneral and then to get 10 years. Believe me, I'm not moaning about not having to fight, it is such a relief as having to fight aways made me so much more ill, but it begs the question that I was robbed last time as I was just as disabled then as now. I trully hope that they are being more fair with people who are suffering and in dreadful pain, time will tell hun. Enjoy your 10 years of no added DWP stress. Love and gentle hugs x Elaine

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to Ehfibro

I don’t have the ten years , just an extension till next June, I’m just hoping that will change before then , ten years would take me to 76 and that’s enough lol x

Ehfibro profile image
Ehfibro in reply to angelm54

Sorry angelm54, my mistake for the misunderstanding, I was meaning "releasethemagic" and I who were given 10 yrs before our curent one had run out. You said earlier that you thought it was due to covid? I was awarded mine in Feb, 7 weeks before Covid lockdown. But even so, I have given up trying to figure out the workings of the DWP and who gets benefits and who doesn't and at what level. A friend of mine is in a wheelchair and they took her car away, thankfully she won her tribuneral. I hope after your extension you are also awarded 10 years x Elaine

justmai profile image
justmai

I have heard this happening to a few people just wish it would happen to me to mine is due in July next year

Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

My pip is due for review Dec 20 .... My car l was due back to motability in may but extended until Dec because you need at least 12 months ... Id be very happy if they extended mine without review - even for long enough to let me renew my car 😁😁😁

angelm54 profile image
angelm54 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar

Mine was due to end December but they have extended till next June but they are not awarding the 10 years to people who have reached pension age, all very strange

Grandma24and1 profile image
Grandma24and1

Hello. I was awarded the 10 years last June (2019) when I was 66!i was flabbergasted to say the least. I think it depends which area of the country you are?

Good luck to everyone having to deal with DWP.

Take care. Stay safe. x

maisydaisie profile image
maisydaisie

I got 10 years when I was 61 , 3 years ago, higher rate for both

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic

I found this news item from Benefits and Work that explains that claimants with double enhanced awards are given light touch reviews and ten year awards if they are unlikely to improve

benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/...

data.parliament.uk/Deposite...

vulcantanker profile image
vulcantanker

The same thing happened to me on Saturday.. I was not due to renew to late next year. I was unaware of them looking at my claim again. Am really glad to have 10 years renewal. But my husband has waited thee years to go from DlA to pip.

softblanket profile image
softblanket

This is fab news to hear- I have recently completed my first disability renewal in September which they posted to me and I am still waiting for them to get back in touch with me although I didn't think I would hear from them any time soon because they extended my award to July 22 due to covid so I was very confused. I absolutely get so stressed with anxiety when I have any information from them. I have just been reading through your previous posts, wish I had discovered you before i had filled in those forms with the knowledgeable sites you have promoted- thank you for sharing this knowledge and at least it is there if I need it. God bless you and I hope you have settled well In your change of location 🙏🏽 every blessing soft blanket

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