Making a Claim for PIP - Transfer from DLA to PIP

Hi Jan,

If you have further questions or comments, at any stage in the process, please ask them here rather than starting a new topic

10 Jan 2017
Hello Again

I have managed to get an extension to the time allowed and am now in the process of completing my PIP 2 form with the help of my carer. This has followed on immediately after my ESA reassessment, so my stress levels and anxiety have been high for many months and are really taking their toll on my health.

I am currently struggling to understand the best way to approach my GP for a letter of support. He has been supportive in the past with ESA and supported my request to be assessed under the Exceptional Circumstances regulations but from what I have read, it is far more important with PIP that the GP's letter of support is more detailed, referring directly to the relevant descriptors that I am hoping to qualify for points in. e.g: It is not sufficient for him to say that my mobility is severely affected by my condition, or even, that I cannot walk more than 20 metres but that the exact wording of the descriptor must be used. Is this true?

If so, is it best to use the template letter on the FightingBack4Justice website. I think I got the link for this from B&W, but can't remember. The template advises listing each descriptor that applies in the exact wording used by the DWP and has a covering letter for the GP explaining that the wording of this must not be changed. The thing I find rather confusing is, that the descriptors are those used by the DWP not the questions in the PIP 2. Will my GP not find this rather odd? I am also concerned that he may feel I am writing the letter on his behalf and this may irritate him. Some of the wording of the covering letter template is rather political and I feel this may not go down well with my GP. Is it okay for me to adapt the wording on the covering letter that I send to my GP to make it more personal?

I am also going to ask him to support a request for a paper assessment, so I am aware that the information he gives will be crucial if I am to succeed in this request. I was not called for a face 2 face interview in regard to my ESA so I can only assume that his letter of support requesting Exceptional Circumstances was taken into account.

My GP is ringing me at 4.30pm this afternoon, during which, I am hoping to request a letter of support so I would greatly appreciate a response and some guidance with this before then if at all possible. I just don’t want to risk alienating him by approaching this in the wrong way. I am feeling very nervous about it.

Many thanks and wishing all at B&W and all members a happy & healthy New Year.

Hi Jan,

We usually recommend giving the GP a copy of the descriptors, with the points score removed, and asking them to comment where they fell it is appropriate. It is important that you cannot be accused of putting words into the GP's mouth if DWP ask!

The GP does not have to use the exact words in the PIP descriptors. However, the report will be of most use if it explains clearly how/why you meet those criteria. Where DWP refers to 'overwhelming psychological distress', for instance, the report would be of much less use if it simply refers to 'anxiety'.

If you chose to give a covering letter it is entirely up to you what you say. You do not have to use any special wording.

Whether you are assessed on paper or have a face2face appointment will be entirely down to whether the assessor feels they have enough information to make a recommendation to DWP without seeing you. Your GP asking for a 'paper assessment' will carry no weight in itself. Explaining how/why you meet the descriptors is what is needed.

Hello Mrs Hurtyback

Thank you for your quick response.

I think you are confirming what my instinct was telling me. The template letter feels somewhat contrived and that is what is worrying me.

When you suggest giving my GP a list of the descriptors, do you mean just the one's relating to me or all of them? Also, do you mean in the context of the template letter or just as a separate list. I'm a bit confused and it doesn't take much at present.

I am also very confused about which descriptors apply because quite often a number of them apply depending on my current state of health - better or worse days. I have fluctuating conditions that are interrelated. I have read that if, for example, three of the descriptors for preparing food apply in different percentages e.g: 20%, 30%, 15% that, the total would qualify as the majority of the time, even though no one descriptor is applicable for 50% of the time. Also, that I should be awarded the points applicable to the 30% descriptor because that is the most frequent. Is this true?

If so, how do I present this to my GP? Does the decision maker do the maths on this? The questions on the form do not detail all the descriptors so how on earth can I ensure that these percentages are added up and taken into account as a whole and that I don't end up being awarded no points because none of the descriptors individually are for the majority of the time?

Any help will be greatly appreciated before I speak to my GP at 4.30pm.

Thank you

We suggest giving a list of all descriptors to your GP and allowing them to comment as they see fit - they might feel that something applies to you that you had not considered!

It can be very difficult when you have varying conditions. What we recommend is explaining how you are on your better, worse and average days and saying how often these apply. You do not have to work out the % yourself, it is OK to say 'I am like this 2 days out of 10' etc and let the DM do the rest.

If you find that you cannot really tick any of the boxes, leave them blank and write something like 'None of these accurately reflect my problems, please see page x of additional information' and explain the situation in detail on the additional sheet.

The reason we explain the descriptors is because the PIP2 questions can be misleading. If you feel you need to give information that pertains to the descriptors but is not directly asked for on the form, you should do so.