Getting an extension to completing PIP2 form

Hi Robbie,

PIP decisions are taking around 8 weeks in many areas.

Just to provide an update: I've had my consultation this morning. I found it to be pretty straightforward with the HCP being polite and attentive. He followed the format of, and layout of, the PIP2 in the questions he asked, concentrating very much on the parts of the form where I had provided answers. From what he said it sounded very much like he had thoroughly read both the PIP2 and accompanying evidence that I had provided.

His style was very much formal, professional but polite, and he alternated between asking me open (as opposed to closed) questions and then typing up the answers. At no point did I feel under pressure to justify my answers beyond answering what he was asking though I'd imagine some of what he was typing was based on his observations. I didn't feel as if he was just undergoing a "tick box exercise" though.

Of course that's not to say that what he was typing was beneficial to me but I didn't feel overly stressed by the consultation.

Towards the end he asked me if there was anything I felt I needed to ask or add and I did mention at this point something I felt he had overlooked and he did listen to what I had said and then made additional notes.

As I posted earlier, I self-scored as just making 8 points for the daily living component (spread across 4 daily living activities) and 4 (max) for mobility so perhaps he didn't see this the same way or perhaps he had and just wanted me to explain why this may be the case.

Without me asking him, he did say ATOS had advised his organisation (a sub-contractor and based on where the consultation took place, a physiotherapy company) that decisions in this area (Tyne and Wear) were taking around 6 weeks to be decided by the DWP so while I don't hold out great hope for receiving PIP I imagine that I should receive a brown envelope by mid to late November at the latest.

Hi

I've now received a text from the DWP to say they have all the information they need to decide my PIP claim and that they'll send a decision letter once a decision has been made. If I was to phone up to ask for a copy of the HCP report does anyone know if this could be done without speeding up a decision on my claim? Even if I do get PIP it will most likely be at a lower rate than what I currently get on DLA so I don't want to phone up if by doing so leads to an earlier decision. I currently get higher rate care and lower rate mobility and the most I expect to get would be standard rate PIP daily living so am in a position where I would rather keep these than have a decision made quickly because I have phoned up to request a copy of the report.

Again, thanks in advance for any answer.

Hi Robbie,

You can contact DWP and ask to be sent a copy of the assessor's report. You will either be sent one or told that you have to wait until a decision has been made - either way, it will have no effect on the rate at which the decision is made.

An update - and it's bad news. I've been turned down for PIP. I had self scored that I would get 8 points for daily living and 4 points for mobility. The DWP have scored me 6 points for daily living and 4 points for mobility. One activity I had scored myself as getting 4 points and the DWP have awarded me 2 points. I'll make that the basis for my mandatory reconsideration request.

I can't believe how quick the DWP have been in making a decision. I only had my assessment on 11 October and the PIP letter is dated 27 October. I have an awful feeling that me requesting a copy of the HCP's report has somehow sped up my claim being dealt with. And I still haven't received a copy of that report so I am in the dark what the HCP wrote. Other than the 2 points / 4 points disagreement all other points I have been awarded are exactly as I had self scored.

What should I do next? Send in the MR and ask them to reconsider the activity where I believe I should have had 4 points - I'll basically just resend a copy of what I typed up for that part of my PIP claim - or should I try and get a copy of the HCP report first?

To be honest I had a feeling after the assessment that the HCP was probably just going to suggest I score 6 points. My nephew took me through in his car and after the assessment he asked me what I thought I might score and I did say that I had a feeling it would be 6 points. The nightmare is that not only will I lose DLA (high rate care, low rate mobility) but as I live alone I will also lose the Severe Disability and Enhanced Disability premiums from my ESA and will be left on just basic ESA. And even that isn't safe as I should have been reassessed for ESA in February 2015 so as reassesments are now taking place once more I'm expecting an ESA50 in the next month or two.

Does anyone know how long, on average, it is taking for PIP Mandatory Reassessments to take place? I know each case is unique but my MR is going to be pretty straightforward and to be honest I don't expect the DWP to change their minds and so will probably have to pursue an appeal after the MR is rejected.

I'm both devastated but not surprised that I didn't get PIP. I've had a feeling all along that I would be turned down. That is why I have tried to string out the whole process for as long as possible. But I wasn't expecting the DWP to make a quick decision. I had hoped it would have taken them a couple of months which would have left me getting DLA into the New Year. But it wasn't to be