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PIP Renewal Form - GP;s Letter
- Stretty
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4 years 1 month ago #257267 by Stretty
PIP Renewal Form - GP;s Letter was created by Stretty
I received my PIP renewal form yesterday. I am currently receiving PIP for a physical condition and MH issues which have deteriorated since my award.
Having glanced at the renewal form, I noticed that on the page headed 'Information that you need to send us with your Award Review form'. it specifically excludes supporting letters from your GP.. Since Oct/Nov 2019, I have been suffering from increasing social anxiety. My GP referred me to the Social Navigator at the surgery for assistance with this in February 2020. I spoke with her (the Social Navigator) in March but our appointment was cancelled because of lockdown.
My anxiety is such that I now have my phone muted most of the time so that I am not surprised by unexpected calls from anyone - including friends and family. If anyone calls me, they have to leave a message and I will then either call them back if I am able to talk or text to say that I will call them at a later time.
My GP calls me for routine check-ups because of my many health issues.. Our arrangement is that on the day that she wants to speak to me, she will send me a text in advance with an approximate time for her call so that I have my phone switched on.
I clearly want my GP to write a letter to confirm both the referral and the ongoing social anxiety which necessitates the arrangement that we have. My intention is to ask for the supporting letter notwithstanding the instruction not to send GPs supporting letters because this is an essential part of my evidence that my condition has deteriorated.
I don't understand the rationale behind the DWP not allowing such a supporting letter. Could I have your thoughts and/or advice?
Thanks
Having glanced at the renewal form, I noticed that on the page headed 'Information that you need to send us with your Award Review form'. it specifically excludes supporting letters from your GP.. Since Oct/Nov 2019, I have been suffering from increasing social anxiety. My GP referred me to the Social Navigator at the surgery for assistance with this in February 2020. I spoke with her (the Social Navigator) in March but our appointment was cancelled because of lockdown.
My anxiety is such that I now have my phone muted most of the time so that I am not surprised by unexpected calls from anyone - including friends and family. If anyone calls me, they have to leave a message and I will then either call them back if I am able to talk or text to say that I will call them at a later time.
My GP calls me for routine check-ups because of my many health issues.. Our arrangement is that on the day that she wants to speak to me, she will send me a text in advance with an approximate time for her call so that I have my phone switched on.
I clearly want my GP to write a letter to confirm both the referral and the ongoing social anxiety which necessitates the arrangement that we have. My intention is to ask for the supporting letter notwithstanding the instruction not to send GPs supporting letters because this is an essential part of my evidence that my condition has deteriorated.
I don't understand the rationale behind the DWP not allowing such a supporting letter. Could I have your thoughts and/or advice?
Thanks
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4 years 1 month ago #257336 by Stretty
Replied by Stretty on topic PIP Renewal Form - GP;s Letter
Just to add that I see that 'reports' from GPs are allowed. Again, this doesn't make sense to me if it's the format that is disallowed ignoring the content.
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4 years 1 month ago #257347 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic PIP Renewal Form - GP;s Letter
Hi BLN,
I'm sorry to hear that you are not very well, and are having difficulty with your PIP forms.
Unfortunately DWP do sometimes write things which are not very clear!
My advice is to always include medical evidence, which could be GP letter, consultant report, or even a report from a specialist nurse or counsellor. Having such evidence really makes the difference to your claim, and mean that it is much more likely that you can persuade DWP to accept your claim!
I am aware that various claimants have noticed that the info suggests not to send GP reports in. I think what DWP mean (and this is a guess!) that there is no need to send in a GP report, ie that it is not actually required. So you can, if you want send this in, but it is neither absolutely required or prohibited.
But...whatever DWP were trying to say, send in your medical evidence, and DWP can ignore ot if they choose to, or, and more hopefully they will actually read it and be persuaded to renew your PIP without any further issues! Fingers crossed!
I hope this helps.
LL26
I'm sorry to hear that you are not very well, and are having difficulty with your PIP forms.
Unfortunately DWP do sometimes write things which are not very clear!
My advice is to always include medical evidence, which could be GP letter, consultant report, or even a report from a specialist nurse or counsellor. Having such evidence really makes the difference to your claim, and mean that it is much more likely that you can persuade DWP to accept your claim!
I am aware that various claimants have noticed that the info suggests not to send GP reports in. I think what DWP mean (and this is a guess!) that there is no need to send in a GP report, ie that it is not actually required. So you can, if you want send this in, but it is neither absolutely required or prohibited.
But...whatever DWP were trying to say, send in your medical evidence, and DWP can ignore ot if they choose to, or, and more hopefully they will actually read it and be persuaded to renew your PIP without any further issues! Fingers crossed!
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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4 years 1 month ago #257363 by Stretty
Replied by Stretty on topic PIP Renewal Form - GP;s Letter
Thank you LL26. I will definitely ask my GP for a letter confirming my social anxiety and it's impact on me.
I will also ask my psychotherapist for a letter of supporting letter as she has seen me regularly over the past few years so she is aware of my social anxiety and can confirm how the social anxiety is affecting me including my interactions with friends and family and my GP.
I will get on with trying to complete the form. It is already clear to me that I will end up with a very detailed response as the deterioration in my physical and mental health affects more than one descriptor.
Still, better to include too much information than too little. Thanks for your advice.
I will also ask my psychotherapist for a letter of supporting letter as she has seen me regularly over the past few years so she is aware of my social anxiety and can confirm how the social anxiety is affecting me including my interactions with friends and family and my GP.
I will get on with trying to complete the form. It is already clear to me that I will end up with a very detailed response as the deterioration in my physical and mental health affects more than one descriptor.
Still, better to include too much information than too little. Thanks for your advice.
The following user(s) said Thank You: LL26
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