PIP phone call. I’m stressing out 😞

Claire W

Claire W

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I wrote a thread about this last March but this is an update really and me asking for more help and advise

My PIP was due to run out in November 2023 and I received the review form back in March and sent it off along with all the medical evidence I had

I had the odd text message from DWP saying that they had my form and hasn’t reviewed it yet

I received a letter in October saying that they hadn’t reviewed my form yet so they were extending my PIP to November 2024 but they could review it at any time

I received a text message from PIP independent assessment service at the end of January saying that they were managing my PIP assessment and that I still may need an assessment

I received a phone call on Wednesday from a health professional from that service saying she was a mental health nurse and has to ask me some questions to avoid me needing a full assessment to see if anything has changed since I filled my form in last March. Nothing has

Now, I struggle to interact with people but sometimes I am ok over the phone. This phone call took me by surprise but I answered her questions as best I could and she said she would send the report back to DWP and a decision about my PIP would be made over the next 6 weeks

Now I am stressing that it was a trap and that I will not score any points for the engaging with people part in which I did on my last PIP review in 2021 which that decision was made purely from what I had written on the form and the medical evidence I had sent in 😞 I’m also stressing that they will reduce my payments or stop my PIP altogether, I feel like I’ve really messed up 😞
 
Easy to say but try not to overthink it (I'm terrible for doing that), I have just been through this whole process myself, so I know exactly how you feel. If you need to appeal the decision be aware that an appeal is easier than the application. My original award was given with no mobility component, so I appealed as my particular issues mostly affect my mobility.
 
You’ve done all you can Claire. It’s in their hands now. Wait for the decision. Hopefully nothing will change. BUT if you’re not happy with the outcome then like @fluffysal has said you can appeal. Good luck.
 
Just sending hugs and support. You've been given good advice above. I hope that sets your mind at rest, even though I know from personal experience that it's not easy to turn off your negative thoughts. Try and distract yourself by going out or watching a film or something like that, it might help you forget it for a while.
 
Sending you hugs Claire. I'm sorry this is making you feel stressed. I can't offer you any advise but I hope you get a favourable reply soon.
 
So sorry for you Claire. I can’t offer any advice but like others have said if the worst was to happen you have a right to appeal. But look on the positive side, if nothing has changed then it’s very unlikely they would make any changes to your PIP x
 
You have not messed up Claire. It's not a trap at all. It's a private company carrying out the assessments and, whilst I have seen questionable decisions previously, there is no benefit to them whether they pass or decline people. My mum was similarly worried as they set a telephone assessment despite her having hearing loss. We went along with it but my feeling from listening in to the assessment was that the assessor had already decided she would be awarded PIP but just needed to tick some boxes. It might be the same case for you
 
Try not to worry Claire … I know it’s easy for me to say that but I’m sure it was to just to confirm your situation.
You have the right to appeal if you need to. It’s good it’s done anyway !
 
I just thought I would update to say that I have just got home to my PIP letter and I am shocked as I have been awarded until February 2028! I’m so relieved as I’ve been stressing about it so badly since I sent off my review form last March especially these last few months. From reading it, it looks like they have been in touch with my doctors and / or changed their original decision from reading the report from the healthcare professional who phoned me the other week. At least I don’t have to worry about it now for another 4 years x
 
I'm so pleased for you, I'm glad it went your way and they made the right decision for your circumstances. I recently had to appeal to get a mobility component as my main issues affect my mobility! I also just got awarded limited capability for work so no more sick notes and more money.
 
fluffysal said:
I'm so pleased for you, I'm glad it went your way and they made the right decision for your circumstances. I recently had to appeal to get a mobility component as my main issues affect my mobility! I also just got awarded limited capability for work so no more sick notes and more money.
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I’m pleased for you fluffysal ….stressed makes any condition worse and you don’t need that
( just like Claire W didn’t )
 
fluffysal said:
I'm so pleased for you, I'm glad it went your way and they made the right decision for your circumstances. I recently had to appeal to get a mobility component as my main issues affect my mobility! I also just got awarded limited capability for work so no more sick notes and more money.
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Thank you. I’m sorry you had to appeal the mobility component, I can imagine how stressful that must have been but I’m glad it’s also gone in your favour and you won’t need anymore sick notes x
 
fluffysal said:
They do put you through the wringer! When my mum applied a few years ago, she got declined. I made her appeal and she got the maximum, quite rightly so as she was terminally ill.
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I’m glad that your mum won her appeal but I’m so sorry for all she went through 😞 She should have been automatically awarded, no questions asked! x
 
I am glad you now do not have to worry about it for 4 years. I am also on benefits due to how badly my mental illness affects my everyday life. I have had quite a few issues with it especially due to my age, but I finally got the help I need, and I am glad they can offer you the same and you will not have to worry about an assessment for quite some time x
 
piggl said:
I am glad you now do not have to worry about it for 4 years. I am also on benefits due to how badly my mental illness affects my everyday life. I have had quite a few issues with it especially due to my age, but I finally got the help I need, and I am glad they can offer you the same and you will not have to worry about an assessment for quite some time x
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Thank you. I’m sorry that you struggle with mental illness too and have to rely on benefits but I’m glad you’ve finally got the help you need too x
 
I wouldn't mind so much but I've spent the majority of my adult life working even though two of my children were registered disabled. I had health issues for years that I attempted to ignore and pushed myself harder and harder until I collapsed. Then to have to fight for the benefits.....I fully understand that it's too much for some people to deal with!
 
I got a letter about the renewal of my PIP but I just had a form to send back. I signed it, wrote out some of it the passed it on to a nurse to fill out the rest. I don't remember hearing anything back but the payments haven't stopped so... 🤷‍♂️

My first assessment went badly but that wasn't because of the assessment, it was extraordinarily bad luck that something else went sideways at the last minute. Knowing my luck that's on file somewhere.
 
fluffysal said:
I wouldn't mind so much but I've spent the majority of my adult life working even though two of my children were registered disabled. I had health issues for years that I attempted to ignore and pushed myself harder and harder until I collapsed. Then to have to fight for the benefits.....I fully understand that it's too much for some people to deal with!
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It’s awful when we have to push ourselves. I struggled through work for 8 years post diagnosis to try and stay in work but my employer made the decision for me and dismissed me due to poor health in 2018. I had basically had the equivalent of 2.5 years off sick in that time mainly due to long hospital stays. I’ve been fighting ever since.

Getting benefits is brutal 😞 I’m sorry that you had to fight too. You did well to stay in work for as long as you did x
 
Lorcan said:
I got a letter about the renewal of my PIP but I just had a form to send back. I signed it, wrote out some of it the passed it on to a nurse to fill out the rest. I don't remember hearing anything back but the payments haven't stopped so... 🤷‍♂️

My first assessment went badly but that wasn't because of the assessment, it was extraordinarily bad luck that something else went sideways at the last minute. Knowing my luck that's on file somewhere.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you’ll be ok then. It has taken the DWP a year to look at my form so they may not have got to you yet but I see no reason why they would stop your benefits.

I’m sorry your first assessment went badly but it won’t be a bad thing if it’s on file x
 
No, I know, but I get to remember it lol. The stress those things can cause is immense, I'm glad it worked out for you :nod:
 
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