I will soon be phoning to register to claim PIP and start the process of changing over from DLA should I be awarded it. Basically I am wondering if you are allowed to have a holiday booked or does that go against you, the very fact you could be going on one? Disabled people should be allowed to travel ... that is why the airport/travel company assist programmes are there to help you. However, I am not sure what goes on in the minds of ATOS and DWP. I don't see why one shouldn't be allowed a holiday as you are assisted with a wheelchair through the airports and security and board the plane by ambu-lift, and accessible vehicle transfers to hotel resort. I want to go away to celebrate my partner's special birthday. Going away is always a bit difficult but if you have this help it is possible.
PIP APPLICATION - Are you allowed to put down a holid... - NRAS
PIP APPLICATION - Are you allowed to put down a holiday arrangement on the questionnaire you return to them?
I think it’s fine, put unavailable dates on mine, all ok 👍 good luck x
Thank you xx
Hiya Julie. Do you mean put in an addition with your application form that you won't be available for an assessment between such & such dates due to holiday? If so I haven't had need to do it with either my initial application or my renewal but given we're 'allowed' 4 weeks without needing to inform them then I see no reason why not (13 weeks in total per annum). The actual wording is Other changes you must tell us about • Please tell us straightaway if you: leave or intend to leave the country for more than 4 weeks, even if it's a holiday.
It shouldn't affect your application in my view but I do understand your hesitancy. It is a difficult one though, as you say disabled people do/have the right to travel, even those with a Carer accompanying them. This is different though, & understand why it's a scratchy head question, whether it'll count against you, it shouldn't but then...
Do you have a time period in which you've to apply, when your DLA runs out? Is the proposed holiday imminent? What I'm getting at is could you defer applying for PIP until your return?
Hi NMH, yes I meant give dates when away on holiday, but if they haven't asked when are you on holiday, then I won't say it is holiday! Unless asked. Just say dates unavailable are .... Would have thought they realised that anyhow, if someone says they aren't available for a week, etc. As I have said to Ajay, I think it will work that we are away for two to three weekdays either side of a weekend. Then maybe a week in June or July as a main hol but would I be allowed to phone DWP and add those dates if not booked by the time I return the questionnaire and I hadn't heard my F2F date? I think that by the time they receive my form back it will be towards the end of May so presume the F2F could be anything from a week to a month after then. NeonK x
Hi Ajay, thanks for your reply. Yes, I think just to say dates I will not be avaiable as at the mo it will be 2 or 3 days either side of a weekend. If they don't ask re holidays then why tell them it is a holiday. It isn't a lie or misleading. Just answering what they have asked. I did read about only missing one appointment which I understand (although I am sure people have had to phone and give apologies if there have been funerals/bereavements and given them proof.) I presume that they don't arrange a F2F interview until they get your completed questionnaire returned to them? I don't know! That would be the month you are talking about? I think I would have gone and returned by the time they receive it back.
Thank you, yes I had many years of not being called for F2F on DLA as my questionnaire and doc/rheumy letters were enough for them. Was just called once 10 years ago then refused but I appealed and won. I thought too everyone is getting a F2F for DLA to PIP. Is there anyone who hasn't had a F2F I wonder with changing over?
My friend didn’t have a f2f but then her situation is very different to ours (not RA)
The ATOS woman didn't underatand RA at all. When I appealled before, the DWP read me over the phone the part of her report which said ... She has a little arthritis first thing some mornings (if only!) I knew she hadn't taken any notice of what I had written or said.
Yes seems that way and we are helpless to change anything, but I am asking my doc and consultant to write letters of support and if I am refused I will appeal as before and if needs, be see my MP. Just because they have changed DLA to PIP doesn't mean we have all miraculously got better!
Thanks Ajay. I did that and answered hand on heart truthfully, and scored well in excess of both parts of the form but I did before and it made no difference to the ATOS woman before.
Thank you.
Just wondering how your Pip claim application is going ( posting mine off today) ?
I received my application form today ... took over a week to arrive with the Easter hols and have till 18 May to return it. Have seen my GP who said she will write a letter of support and my consuiltant says the same. Difficult times for us all. No-one likes this hanging over them. Good luck. I will appeal and take it to my MP if they reduce my benefit considerably or refuse it.
Are you requesting a home medical assessment ? ; am myself, with GP letter in support, as last time was left ( must of been running over ) out in waiting room so long with pain and discomfort that when called in walked straight over to lie down on couch ! ( nobody comes out to check whether we’re ok ) !
Anyway, only scored 9 points on standing and mobility - she did write I did look unwell few times on her report - ( I didn’t realise I looked unwell , but certainly felt it ), but on reflection, not ask if ok and not offered a glass of water !
Quote GP support letter -
This women ( 62 ), has requested a home assessment for her pip application
This is due to the fact that she found the last meeting extremely stressful due to the physical discomfort caused by being kept in the waiting room. She does suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis which causes significant pain in the joints and we support her application for a home assessment.
Yes, agree difficult times for us all
No I don’t want them coming to my house. My partner will go with me for the assessment.
You mean you scored the 9 points on filling out the questionnaire or that they recalculated that part for you on their own assumptions? Also how can they say a person looks well or not as we know RA doesn’t necessarily make a person look bad. I have looked bad when my RA hasn’t been well controlled, but usually when your meds are working you look alright. However the majority of us still have major mobility and dexterity issues. Again another unfair assumption from them.
Apologies , 9 points based on attending the medical assessment in town alone , travelling by taxi. Yes, the RA wasn’t being well controlled as between Sulfasalazine and Baricitinib, last summer this was. A lady physiotherapist . I’ve only had one home assessment before about 5 - 6 years ago, a man and don’t recall him asking me to carry out any physical tests, I just lead on the sofa. I refused when he asked to go upstairs. Have a cat , ( first ever pet ) have cat flap and prefers mainly dried food. Realise might get judged on this, but ...
HiAjay,
Apologies, this was for esa back mid February 2018 for attending a medical assessment in town ( 2-3 miles ) , taxi there and back.
“ Limited capability for work “ after completing esa50 form “
I’ve dug out the esa65 results this morning , (apologies again ) the DM awarded me 9 points for standing and sitting as “ she cannot for the majority of the time , remain at a work station “ So total points for physical capability = 9 0= Mental, etc.
DWP rang me few days later , I verbally challenged their findings whilst on the phone which proved useless. Just they’re agreeing with the medical assessors findings and advised claiming UC, of which I did. My MP refused to help after emailing him.
Fast forward today = Posted off Pip 2 yesterday, including gp letter supporting me for a home medical assessment, saying how much discomfort i suffered at waiting in room outside. The other gp letter is just naming short list of conditions, but wrote addressing letter in terms of not capable of paid work...not addressing any relevant Pip2 descriptors...
Apologies again, for misleading yourself and anyone
Citizen Advice greatly helped me this time - kindly giving me 2 separate appointments going through pip 2 step by step 4 - 5 hours in total , they were brilliant.
Weymouth321 May I ask what PIP2 is ? Thanks😊
Hi NeonKittyUK,
I’ve taken the term from Work and a Benefits website forum , DLA to PIP , but yes, DWP sent me the brown envelope 1st April ( rang for 2 week extension that was granted), asking whether I wanted to claim pip, as DLA finishing.
Apologies, just reading your post of 2 days ago, yes, shall look at ra leaflets , though photocopied and posted pip claim yesterday
Doing mine now .. on a photocopy of it as a draft first, then will send off the atual completed form early next week. Has to be returned by 19 May but I am not sure if my doc/rheumy will have done the letters in time, despite two reminders. May need to forward those on but I will phone/tell the DWP. Will try prompt their secretaries again end of this week. Hope all goes well for you, weymouth.
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