PIP Review (AR1) no change and medical

Hello there,

I currently get PIP (standard level care component). I filled in an AR1 form and sent it off at the beginning of July. I have received a text from the DWP telling me I have a face-to-face assessment in a couple of weeks.

The PIP award was for 3 years, awarded till mid-2019. My primary disability is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have subsequently developed anxiety and depression. I had previously had DLA (low level care) awarded twice.

Since there has been no significant change in my condition, when I filled out the AR1 form, I ticked 'no change' on all descriptors. I sent with it only the required prescription list printout and a letter from my (private) counsellor/therapist to evidence that I was seeing him (I hadn't been two years ago) and what I was seeing him for.

I hadn't realised that the AR1 led to an assessment for a new award, but thought they were just checking up on the existing one. Now I realise this is not the case.

When I was transferred from PIP to DLA, I was given 0 points, but had this overturned on appeal by a tribunal (and the DWP subsequently unsuccessfully appealed against the tribunal's decision!). At my previous (DLA) assessment, I also failed the assessment, and had it overturned on appeal. I'm basically expecting the same at this one. I think the only way I will get PIP reawarded is in front of a tribunal.

Having now read your guides, I wonder if should have sent more information or written more on the AR1 form. Since it's too late to do that, I wonder if there's anything I should usefully send now. For example, a GP's letter saying that my condition hasn't changed in the last two years, and possibly giving an overview of my condition (although they should have the latter information with the PIP2 form). If I should get a GP letter, should I send it to the DWP or take it to the assessment or both?

I do not have any specialists' reports relating to CFS since my original diagnosis (six or more years ago), because there is no treatment available for CFS where I am. I do not have any recent evidence for anxiety or depression, except my counsellor's letter; I have previously completed PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) questionnaires at my GPs, and the NHS Wellbeing Service, where my GP has referred me several times for counselling/CBT, but I haven't done so in the past two years, because I have accessed private counselling instead. Would it be useful to ask my GP to do these questionnaires again and include the results in a letter? Or so as to have them available for appeal?

Another thing I wonder about is that when I last submitted my PIP2 form, I had a partner. We are no longer together. She didn't live with me or receive Carers Allowance for me so there was no reason to notify the DWP when we split. However, on the PIP2 form I gave examples of how she supported me when I spent time with her (for example, helping me with pacing, reminding me to rest) to evidence that I benefited from help and support. She also wrote a supporting letter. Since they will be revisiting the PIP2 form, do I now need inform them that we are no longer together? I can't see that it makes much difference. What I am able to do without support has not changed since I filled in the PIP2 form.

Many thanks for any advice you can give me.

All the best,

Matt

Many thanks for this Gordon.

I didn't send my tribunal ruling with the AR1 form. I assumed they already had everything on file. I will find it and send a copy to the DWP, and also take a copy to my medical.

Regarding a doctor's letter, I see your point that it could cause problems if a description of symptoms/capacities was worded differently than what was submitted for the PIP2 form. I guess could ask for one just summarised my diagnoses and treatments/medication and saying there's been no significant change in the past two years. Or one that simply referred to previous letters and stated that there'd been no significant change. But apart from the "no change" aspect, what I'm suggesting would gives no information they don't already have. Do you that the GP simply saying there'd been no change would be helpful? Perhaps it would make no really difference: essentially it means that I've told my GP that there's been no change and she's written that down.

Regarding my partner, it's difficult to say. She did help me manage my condition when I was with her, but this was only the minority of the time, usually two days a week, and also I would often end up pushing myself to do more than I would normally do when I was with her to make the most of our time together, and deal with the consequences when we weren't together. There was a certainly a period during and after the breakup when I managed my condition significantly less well, and so functioned less well, due to the emotional impact and stress of it all (and also I was more depressed so looked after myself less well etc). But I don't think that my overall condition and my ability to do various things in the descriptors without help and encouragement is now significantly worse that it was before the break-up (which happened almost a year ago). However, I find these things hard to quantify and compare over time given that I have a variable condition, so it's hard to be completely sure.

Thanks again,

Matt