PIP update

[Eiram50]

I'm actually hugely surprised .

I was required to reapply for PIP a few weeks ago ( even though I still had a year left of original award!).

As my mum had just passed away, I didn't have the necessary focus when completing it and it literally took me less than ten minutes to complete . As some of you will know, I had both hips and both knees replaced a couple of years ago. However, operation of feet was less than successful and I struggle with the pain in my neck and spine- even though I still struggle with my mobility because of replacements I'd accepted that if awarded anything, it would likely only be in relation to the care element .

The pleasant surprise is My award hasn't changed. I have been awarded the enhanced rate in both elements AND without the need for face to face assessment.

Relieved is an understatement!!

Marie

[Jewels94]

Congratulations xx

[Eiram50 in reply to Jewels94]

Thank you

[Sanbanan]

Good news Marie.

I was awarded it in 2015 for 4 years so I'm expecting to hear from them probably next year.

Have a good weekend x

[Eiram50 in reply to Sanbanan]

Thank you and you too.

[Eiram50 in reply to Sanbanan]

Yeah, I forgot to say, they awarded it for six years. Just so so glad I didn't need to attend for assessment

[Hidden]

Congratulations to you. x

[Eiram50 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you all- it's always good when we dint have to fight the fight!

[helixhelix]

Sometimes the force is with you and not them......nice to have good news.

[ldwilliams]

congrats!

mine is for 10 years, so hopefully they wont now bother me till after i reach retirement age

heh

[Alone717]

I have just sent back my form to reapply; ( my 3 years ends May 2018 ) I also lost my Mum and Brother and my beloved 19 year old cat and 30 year relationship ended, so I was like you not really up for filling it in; and in constant pain as well. Hoping for the best. I am pleased that you got yours reinstated without hassel x

[Eiram50 in reply to Alone717]

I'm sorry to hear of your losses- what a difficult time for you. The last thing you need is to be worrying about this too.

Wishing you the very best.

Marie

[Alone717 in reply to Eiram50]

Thank you Marie for your kind words x

[Gnarli]

Fantastic news! It would appear that there still remain pockets of common sense at DWP. Let's hope they multiply. Hugs

Jan

[Eiram50 in reply to Gnarli]

Absolutely !

[Spooky]

Amazing! So pleased for you Marie, a huge relief!!

[Eiram50 in reply to Spooky]

Thank you. To be honest, I wasn't in a place to much care, at the point of re applying. However, now that I feel a bit more internally quiet, I'm so glad that it's worked out this way.

I sincerely hope, as gnarli said, this extends to more and more of us !

Marie

[nomoreheels]

Good news Marie! Great you didn't need to go through the pantomime of another assessment too. Maybe the tide is turning, we can live in hope. 😌

[AgedCrone]

Glad to hear it Marie, there are some competent assessors around then.

My friend has a 42 year old son with Down's Syndrome & the young woman assessing him asked his mother if he had been " clinically diagnosed".

Go figure that!

[Eiram50 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you.

Yes, my niece had cerebral palsy and she's been in a wheelchair since birth. She had a lifetime award under DLA and when she needed to move to/ apply for PIP, she had to attend for assessment! Absolutely ridiculous. There's just no rhyme nor reason to it , is there?

[Eiram50 in reply to Eiram50]

Has cerebral palsy - not "had!"

[AgedCrone]

At the time I was speaking to a retired GP & he said the people given the assessors jobs appeared to have no common sense, let alone any clinical knowledge to assess anything!

I agreed (& still do) wholeheartedly!

I hope your niece was treated sympathetically.

[Witness2]

I have never had the courage to apply, how pathetic is that. I helped several clients with applications over the years and saw how abusive the system was (still can be I guess despite Mari's latest excellent news) and thankfully we just manage on my husband's salary. I require so much help that we pay for and although I'm now 60 I won't receive my pension for another 6 years so I'm feeling resentful. However, I don't want to put myself through the stress of applying. Has anyone any advice, felt this way themselves? Is it means tested? I'm sure I can find all the info on the NRAS website - just being lazy and hugely resistant!

[Eiram50]

Hi witness2

No PIP isn't means tested, it's an award as opposed to a benefit.

It can be a stressful process but the way I've always gone into it is if I get it, I get it .

There are some unsympathetic , misinformed assessors out there, it's very true but I also know there are some that are helpful.

My advice to you would be to go for it, if assessed, take your husband with you for support and just tell it like it is.

I sincerely wish you the very best going forward.

Marie

[premierscfc]

So pleased for you Eiram50, I really hope you don't have to go through this again for at least a decade!

[Eiram50 in reply to premierscfc]

Thank you