The Longest PIP claim in history???

[Gillypops]

I placed a claim for PIP back in May. Some weeks later, I received a letter informing me that my application had not met the submission date so they had closed the claim. I phoned and informed them that it had arrived on time as I had sent it Special Delivery and it had been signed for. They accepted this and said it had been reinstated. I phoned so many times to chase it up and then eventually I spoke to someone who said there seemed to have been a ‘blip’ and my application was “stuck in the system” - it was not passed on to the Assessment Agency until October!!! I kicked up a bit of a stink and was eventually promised they would get it fast tracked. I then got a phone call to offer me a telephone assessment on 9th December. I accepted, then on 9th December I got a phone call to cancel my assessment as the assessor had gone off sick. I was told they would be in touch between 7-10 days to re-arrange. As I had still heard nothing, today I called them again and spoke to the most offhand person who said there are no appointments at present and he could give me no idea when I would get one. I explained that my claim was submitted in May and that this was outrageous. He offered a complaints pack which I have accepted but I am at the end of my tether. How long should someone who is really ill and worked all their life have to wait to be assessed for a benefit they need? Any suggestions who I can contact to sort this out? I am not savvy about these things as I have never claimed benefits of any kind before. Many thanks xxx

[Hidden]

Hi get some help from a Welfare Advisor at your local authority or citizens advice there are Fightback4justice who charge a fee and have lawyers on their team they are good please google them. There is also Benefits and Work who undertake helping with claims for a fee although I've never used them. You sound as though you need help with this. Good luck. There is also help on here from FMUK

[Midori]

I would start by laying this at the feet of your MP; it's outrageous. Then try their own Complaints system. The trouble is it can be tough to tell where the DWP itself ends and where its assessing contractors start (Capita, Maximus, Serco, IAS, (previously ATOS) !) It's a minefield on it's own, and many folk have similar problems, but for a first Claim this is ridiculous! You could also try your local Press, if you don't mind a bit of publicity.

Cheers, Midori

[Farmerboy]

Ajay, has done it again , his answers are the best advice. When sending your application or extra evidence just wait a few days after you have confirmation of delivery and enquire if you information ect is logged on to the system.it’s no good waiting months in the hope that your case is progressing when it may not have been uploaded onto the computer system. We the claimants have to be proactive in our benefits claiming and healthcare services if we don’t ask or enquire then we are shouting in the wilderness. With Covid and staff of I’ll holidays ect delay will happen and have to be expected. Plus all the publicity about PIP many people apply for PIP,in the hope that their concerns, conditions diagnosis will make them qualify for PIP as they have read that they may meet the criteria for being awarded PIP .

[Shazza1968]

It took 2 years for mine after going onto appeal ….