I first applied for PIP a few years back and was given single figure points after my face to face assessment, I then applied and sat before a board who concluded that I did infact qualify for full points across the board.
Although successful this was one of the most stressful periods of my life especially dealing with a new illness. Fast forward to current day I completed the renewal form and have received a letter from Capita saying they may or may not see me but will contact me in due course.
I’m ashamed to admit it but my anxiety is now through the roof as I can’t go through all that again if they incorrectly decide I’m ‘not worthy’ again.
I thought I’d ask you all for any insight that might calm my nerves down and wanted to know if anyone ever had to go through less point being awarded or have to go through the dreaded appeals process a second time round after already having a full award being given by an appeals panel initially?
Thanks in advance
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iAce
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Sorry I haven't been in that position yet but will probably be going next April for mine although in Scotland they're more sympathetic so might not need an assessment as I didn't need one for ESA but I can imagine it's very stressful and hopefully you'll not need one , but with this Tory Government I wouldn't rule anything out xxx
I went through my Pip assessment in Oban a couple of years back. Due to distance from an Atos centre I automatically had a home visit. A nurse trained lady who was lovely visited. I had been on low rate DLA for years, I qualified for much more benefit with Pip, one of the fortunate ones. You need to do your research on filling in the form prior to submitting it.
Yes I've been on it since 2915 and done it over the phone with a guy from Belfast and got low rate in both which I recon was due higher rate but couldn't be bothered going through all the hassle off appeals but I've got all my paperwork so can check back as mine runs out in March 2020 so expecting a call next March for an assessment but I'll be ready for them and hopefully will get someone a bit sympathetic
I think the best preparation is by gathering evidence to present to the panel. I have always taken an extensive amount of paperwork with me to each assessment and have always been awarded what i have applied for. Keeping a daily journal of how you are ..pain , mobility sleep etc is very useful as you can give detailed evidence of your days.
I also provided photocopies of all relevant xrays, mri, ultrasounds, rheumatology update letters and present medications , including side effects I experience.
I give examples ...eg I live in a flat, the lift was out of order from 9 am one day until 10.30 the next, I there fore missed an important appointment.
My thumble subluxated when i reached to pick up a pencil without my splint on.
I take hours to prepare for each appointment, and appear confident when with them , look them in the eye and don't be scared to ask questions.
Take someone with you. I was kept waiting for nearly 30 minutes after my appointment time, we complained to the assessor and asked for my complaint to be registered in my notes as my back ached sitting on a hard chair for 30 min, and keeping I'll people waiting shows disrespect,
Mmrr so sorry I thought I had already responded to you!
Thank you for this as I sent no additional information which in hindsight is ridiculous it’ll end up being a mini novel but I will begin to compile my evidence now and thank you so much for your reply x
I'm not sure if this helps or not as it's a positive experience not negative but when I first applied for PIP is was awarded enhanced Daily Care but nothing for Mobility. I requested Mandatory Reconsideration & the Decision Maker decided my Award should stand. As I was only a couple of points into enhanced DC I decided to leave well alone unless I could provide more info then I would apply for a Change in Circumstances. That didn't happen so I waited for my renewal by which time thankfully I could.
I had my renewal last April & was awarded enhanced for both components. I did submit lots of medical proof I was unable to provide previously relating to the Mobility component as they hadn't been addressed prior to my initial PIP assessment & which I'm sure had some bearing on the outcome. It was awarded for longer too.
There's every chance it will be different this time, especially as your first award was overturned at tribunal. I hope it calms those nerves somewhat for you.
Thank you nomoreheels I will definitely start to write up my issues and try to get letters from rheumy/gp and will definitely try to go into more detail as to my limitations as I suppose if I don’t tell them they will assume everything’s normal x
You're welcome, that sounds like a good plan. I can't stress enough how important I think it was to provide written evidence to support my renewal, there was no doubt in my mind it made such a difference in nothing to enhanced.
Do you have a Blue Badge at all? If so & if you didn't include that you do on your renewal form let the assessor know, if you're called for assessment that is. Every bit of evidence helps so throw the lot at em!
Do you know I didn’t send in any evidence even though I do have a BB I just didn’t think! Thank you so much for that and it’s also made me think of other things I have had to buy to help my condition so I’ll be sure to include it all xx
You probably already know iAce but nras do really good booklet on pip. Really sympathise, spent last year doing small ill health, pip and esa on top of new to RA and feeling awful. Still waiting on another assessment 6 months after successful mandatory reconsideration. Stressful, yes it is but 🤞for you not having to go through that again x
Fantastic replies/advise. I have just been through a change circs (due to diagnisis if RA) and after 5mths have gone from 0 on both to enhanced dl & low mobility. I am considering appealing on the mobility as have blue badge. 2 x walking sticks (neede a wheelchair if any distance/at hospital appts) & really struggle to drive a manual car so am becoming very isolated. I cant walk at all without extreme pain, but obviously its very hard to get the f2f assessor to realise/believe this!!! I just dont know if i can go through it all again as fought to appeal panel last time (but that was b4 diagnosis). But if i wait until next year when they call fir me, i cant prove any different te my mobility. I feel for you iAce it is such a stressful process.
May it is awful I’m sorry you too have to fight your case. It took many months to get my correct award last time and the dread I feel is only due to that last experience I know it could be different this time but they were so awful last time I just don’t know. If you can keep at it and get some support to help you, good luck x
I was getting PIP and then it was taken away as they said I no longer qualified. I applied again and after assessment it was declined again as they said I didn't score highly enough. I have applied again, this time with lots of evidence from specialists but still have to attend an interview on 5/12 and like u feel anxious. I'm not sure what else they want from me but I'm determined to get what is due to me as my condition is a lot worse than it was when I was receiving the pip. This time if declined I'm going to take them to tribunal as it's ridiculous.
The tribunal was so scary but the folks were nice enough the dwp rep asked the worst of the questions while the doctor and 3rd party who I can’t remeber the title tried to ease my nerves looking bad I’m glad I did it but at the time I wished I hadn’t bothered
I am in the same position, the stress has made me depressed and anxious, I have never suffered with mental health and have lived with R A for 20 years but going through this again has broken me and now have to go to counseling. X
Hi there. I am in the same position as yourself and a few years ago went to tribunal and sat in front of a board, who decided to increase my points and therefore i got the benefit i believe I deserved (I have had RA for nearly 20 years). Yes again I am in the position where they review my claim and I completed a claim form asking me if anything had changed since I last claimed and I replied no no change, if anything I was worse. Last week I had to attend Capita offices for a face to face assessment. I am now awaiting the outcome!!
I totally agree with you, it took some nerve last time going through it all with appealing, then a tribunal, so stressful and here we are again! Don't they realise this is not a condition that improves or is likely to get better.
As I thought Jayne, even though you remain the same or worse they still put you through the stresses of long drawn out claims.
Once proved and backed up with medical evidence what’s to doubt? As you say RA is a degenerative disease I’ve heard of no one that has been cured but they somehow think that after years wear and tear we can somehow bounce back!
I hope you get the outcome you’re looking for please let me know and thank you x
I am in exactly the same situation as yourself. I applied a few years ago (previously DLA) and did not get awarded anywhere near the same level, so I took it further, Mandatory Reconsideration, then finally a tribunal, in which they awarded me sufficient points to get personal care (9 points) and mobility (10 points). Then a few months ago they reviewed the award at an assessment, after I had told them nothing had changed and I still needed help. The outcome was 0 points awarded me and my PIP stopped on 28th Dec 2018. Tomorrow I am going to Citizens Advice for help, but it is as you say the stress of this whole situation is unbelievable and I'm not sure I can do it.
Good luck to you and everybody out there in the same situation. We must pursue it surely?
Jayne that’s awful I’m sorry to hear that, there is a organisation I’ve found called benefits and work who have help and advice and guidance on all things PIP and it’s been a help to me since this began.
Please look them up and I really hope you can appeal and get the correct benefit re-awarded xx
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