ESA Renewal and PIP Claim Questions

Well I have been awarded PIP.
Not sure what exactly yet but should know within 2 weeks.
Still not heard about any potential ESA renewal but for sure it will be soon.

Thanks to this site for the help and the guides.
Wish I had the capabiltiy to follow them myself but my friend and advisor (non professional) and was able to use them to get the information from me to complete the form.
I am extremelly grataeful to him

Seem to have got an unusually quick turnaround (61 total days).
Hope my upcoming ESA renewal goes the same way.

Below is the diary we kept of the process.


Day 01 - Rang DWP to apply for PIP.
Day 04 - PIP claim form received.
Day 18 - Text received from DWP reminding me to complete PIP claim form.
Day 21 - Letter received from DWP reminding me to complete PIP claim form.
Day 23 - My completed PIP claim form was posted back to DWP.
Day 26 - Text received from DWP advising me they had received my completed PIP claim form.
Day 44 - Letter received from ATOS with date for assessment (for day 56).
Day 44 - Sent email to my MP asking if he could help me to get a paper based assessment.
Day 46 - Rang ATOS to request paper based or at least an assessment in home town, instead of 40 miles away (new apppintment is in home town on day 61).
Day 46 - ATOS put me through to DWP to get address where to send additional information.
Day 46 - Posted additional information 'Signed For' to DWP (to: FREEPOST, DWP PIP4).
Day 46 - Rang ATOS to tell them problems with me attending F2F. They would not accept request for paper based assessment.
Day 46 - Emails received throughout day from MP discussing situation.
Day 46 - Email received from MP saying they will contact ATOS on my behalf.
Day 48 - Email received from MP saying ATOS have now spoken to my listed health professionals and I no longer have to attend F2F.
Day 48 - Text received from DWP stating they now have all information needed to decide PIP claim.
Day 48 - I rang health professional but not available.
Day 48 - Health professional called me back and said ATOS rang him on day 47 and he agreed with most of what they told him was on my PIP application form.
Day 49 - Letter received from ATOS (dated day 46) confirming new appointment in home town.
Day 49 - Rang DWP about the text and letter received over last 2 days. Confirmed paper assessment done and ATOS report received on day 48 and don’t need to attend F2F.
Day 49 - Rang DWP and asked for copy of the assessor’s report. They also said it could be more than 8 weeks until PIP decision due to backlog.
Day 50 - Letter received from ATOS (dated day 47) stating they had completed report and my assessment appointment had been cancelled.
Day 61 - Text received from DWP stating they decided I qualify for PIP and detailed letter will be sent within 2 weeks.
Day 61 - Text received from DWP stating they will make 1st payment within 2 weeks.

That sounds cautiously hopeful, I'm glad we were able to be of help. Please come back and let us know when you have the official decision letters

I just rang them.
I am getting enhanced care and no mobility which is what I was hoping for.
Back payment goes in Friday.

Do I have to apply for the Severe Disabily Premium or is this automatic?

Wow, I rang them and it is all sorted already.
Upgraded from Enhanced to Severe payment.
The man I spoke to said all updated on their sysytem already and backpay will be paid Monday.

Will post confirmation when letters arrive.

I expect will be posting about my ESA renewal soon too.

Got the award letter today.
Award is for 3 years.
17 points for daily living and 4 points for mobility.
Roughly about what I expected.
Back payment has been paid already.
This is going to make a huge difference to my day-to-day life.
Very relieved it is over and I was lucky it was so quick.

Not looking forward to the upcoming ESA renewal but feel bit more confident we can do it now.

Thanks again for the help and support on this site.