Just opened my post to find a PIP Award Review Form! This has upset me so much! Just in the run up to Christmas and they want it in by January 6th! I have so much going on right now with builders in my flat, an insect problem and so many off shoots with having to deal with these things that I just can’t cope with filling out this form, especially when I was told it would come in May for the end of my award in the summer coming! 6th January!!! I’m just shattered thinking about having to fill this in, when I know they’re looking for every detail to reduce your award! I had to go to 2 dreadful tribunals to win my award to the same level of DLA that I always had, so anything to do with PIP just upsets me so much!!! I have called an organisation to help me, but they’re not sure if they have room for me this time round. So I’m panicking.
Can you tell me about your experience of filling in the review form please. Nothing has changed in my Lupus but I had a pulmonary embolism last year, so that’s a new condition to add now. How did you fill in yours, the form has very little space to write anything.
Thank you xxx
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LilyMistri2
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Hi, I had to do a review form in the summer.. do you still have copies of your last pip report from then? I basically filled mine in and stated “no change” but also reiterated in each section that I was using certain aids to do specific tasks etc. if things are worse just state how and why. Use your previous notes and go over their assessment comments. I was panicking as since shielding my bloods have been nearer to normal and my hosp letters stated this.. I received a letter saying they had renewed mine for another 4 years with no face2face or telephone call. Lupus uk have some info on their website on how to complete the forms or a video to listen to/watch x
I did exactly the same (although in my case it is mainly based on mental health issues rather than Lupus), and also find the Benefits and Work site really worthwhile. Best of luck x
I can relate to the dreadful fear and anxiety that these brown envelopes cause. Like you I had to go to Tribunal for my DLA and the transfer to PIP was a nightmare with two face2face assessments lasting over four hours but the good thing about review is that you can just submit the paperwork and hope they accept it. I use The Benefits and Work site. I cannot tell you how beneficial it is. There is a step by step guide to each question giving advice as to the format and content you need to include. I am so sorry that yours has come at such a difficult time for you. I finished my review in three days and my award was for ten years. I cried with relief. I wish you the best of luck. If you really feel unable to do it call the DWP and ask for an extension. Let us know how you get on xx
Hi Cecily, thanks for your message. It’s brought a tear to my eye. Oh the relief of getting the 10 year award I can well imagine especially as I was on indefinite DLA. Thank you for suggesting the Work and Benefits site. I’ll look at that. Xx
I read the letter three times then got my hubby to read it and then re read it. My heart begins pounding when I see a brown envelope. It reduces me to a gibberish wreck. Currently they are threatening to stop my ESA because I haven’t sent them info. That is info that they sent back to me and acknowledged receipt of. It beggars belief really. I am trying not to stress out over it. Xxx
I had the same experience recently - with an award supposed to run to May 2022, I got a renewal demand that I had to submit within 6 weeks, or have PIP stopped immediately.
Like RachelD1972 , I used my original claim to fill out the form and said "no change from details above" for most of it, then added any new info where I have started to use more aids/adaptions or had a new problem. eg "Still restricted to walking 10-15 metres, using walking stick", "Since original claim, I now use tinted glasses to view computer screen owing to developing chronic migraine" etc
They asked for details of medical apopintments, tests and results since the original claim, so I asked my GP to print those off. It ran to 106 pages!!! I picked out the most relevant pages and sent them, with a note saying further details available. My thinking was the DWP just needed to see that I am still on the same meds and there's nothing saying, "Patient completely cured" (I wish)! Although they said there would be a charge, luckily, the GP have never asked me to pay it.
It did seem overwhelming at first, but once I realised it was mostly a case of copying out the original material, I finished it much quicker than the first time round. Good luck x
Dear Whisperit, thank you for your message and your experience and advice. It sounds like I also am going to have to do a lot of photocopying. I will call the DWP and see if I can get an extension. It seems impossible that between now an christmas my gp or hospitals are going to be able to support me with extra requests. What a terrible time of year to put this on a person! Thanks again. Xx
I was in exactly the same position this time last year..I feel for you Lily 🤗I agree with the others..your claim has only just recently been won so they will have details of that. I used the citizens advice website to help with my form filling..they go through the questions one by one n give guidance as to what u need to put on the form. If there's no change from previous answers you can put that. I would also say that you can emphasise how much your health has deteriorated since you have been through the gruelling appeal process!!
Photocopies of all your supporting evidence..not any originals coz they have a habit of losing paperwork. This last time I put my name and national insurance number in the top of every piece of evidence.
One last thing is pay to send it back by recorded delivery..that way you have proof of posting..again they have a nasty habit of losing things. I know the envelope is prepaid but if you go to post office n explain you want it recorded delivery..they will help you.
Good luck with it all 🍀and remember you did win your tribunal..that will have cost them a lot of money which I don't think they'll be wanting to repeat 🌈😽😽xx
Yes absolutely everything you’ve said makes sense. They should be well weary of me coming back at them with another Tribunal. Although there’s no change in my lupus issues, there have been changes in my sight and I had a pulmonary embolism last year and another new condition that will need looking to, so I’m a bit nervous of them needing more info on them. I’ve a good mind to send them all the last two years letters for my PE. Xx
Do it..it's all supporting evidence. 🙌Another thing I've just thought of...my claim last year was a review n I didn't have any assessment as such. I was waiting for the call to arrange my assessment when a woman rang out of the blue..I thought this was to go through the process to arrange a date..but no she was one of the decision makers apparently!! She asked me if I wouldn't mind a couple of questions as it's quite clear that my situation hasn't changed much. This threw me coz I didn't have any of my paperwork with me (I was in bed)😹 The interview went on for about half hour n she told me there n then that she would award maximum mobility allowance 😱at last!!
Don't let it stress you out too much Lily..sounds like you've already got loads on your plate right now 🌈😽😽xx
I've just seen that you've got an extension..good stuff 👍😉
Reading what you went through just proves what a mess they’re in the DWP! They haven’t a clue what they’re doing! I’m so glad that the result was that you got full pip. Hopefully you got it for a long time?
One more thing that's not related but is...I won a tribunal back in 2017 when my ESA was stopped. I didn't even go to the tribunal...I ignored the phone too!! I had managed to get income support so didn't need their money..they could shove it where the sun don't shine as far as I was concerned!! And I won...on photos of the soles of my feet that my GP had done to help the case!!! 😹🌈😽😽Xx
I am sorry you are so distressed by having received your PIP Review Award Form.
LUPUS UK teamed up with Chronic Creatives, a disability organisation to create a series of workshops on benefits. There are two seminars on PIP which I hope you will find helpful. The seminars include information and tips on how to apply for PIP and how points are awarded so you get the best possible chance at receiving the benefit. The seminars can be found here:
For additional help, we have guides on PIP which you can request via email. Please note, due to the size of the guides unfortunately we are unable to provide physical copies. The cost of printing and postage is too high. You will receive the guides as a digital pdf file. These guides can be requested here:
I wonder if you would benefit from being in touch with one of our Contacts? Our Contacts are trained volunteers, who either have lupus themselves or have a family member with the condition. You can chat with our Contacts over the telephone. They are not medically trained but are there to offer both emotional and general support. The telephone service is confidential, and you can disclose as much as you wish. The support service is free apart from the cost of the call.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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