I've just spotted this on the BBC news website. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42862904
DWP Will Be Busy: Checking all PIP Claims - LUPUS UK
DWP Will Be Busy: Checking all PIP Claims
On the one hand, hurrah for everyone who received the bare minimum but were too scared to take the case further, but on the other hand, considering the large backlog of cases already (and the fear people have of being reassessed generally) I imagine this will take years to do, and will cause a fair bit of stress as well. Several people I know with severe mental health issues are already terrified :/ It's sort of a win, but sort of not. I hope it's done with a minimal amount of fuss to end-users who have suffered enough.
With a huge qualm, I've applied for PIP after letting my DLA award lapse as I couldn't face the process. But I'm tired of being trapped in my house without a powerchair and after getting stuck in my GP's office and needing to be wheeled out, my GP has encouraged me to try for it. I hope the new changes may be of some benefit.
I agree totally. The win is that the Govt have backed down after being challenged ( especially over the arbitary line drawn on the number of points for mobility that those with mental health problems can earn). I have no idea how claims will be re examined but it will be a great loss if anyone is subjected to more scrutiny. I'm hoping that, as the result is expected to be higher awards, they save money by making it a paper exercise. Enough money has been wasted on the number of tribunals where claimants the received their awards: it helps that judges were getting extremely peeved by this as a waste of tax payers money and time that could be better spent.
Good for you for trying for PIP to regain your mobility. I've checked with colleagues still stuck working in DWP and the first phase will be to look at all current mobility claims for those with mental and/or physical problems who may have been unfairly treated by the arbitrarily applied number of points possible for mobility related to mental health problems.
Those coming forward for fresh PIP claims will not be cut off at 10 points max for mobility if mobility is related to mental health problems.
Other than that, and it's early days, the office will have targets for the number of appeals. Too many appeals in any geographical area will be closely examined to check on the performance of the assessors.