Heard from CPN that my PIP review has come back unchanged which I am relieved about. However, I had asked for a longer award period than previous 2 reviews of 18mths as, with unstable bipolar even on meds, things would not change. The new award is for 18mths to 2yrs - again! My CPN argued strongly about this but was told their hands were tied as new rules came in about 6 mths ago that banned longer awards eg 3, 5 or 10 years. Is this right? I already feel stressed about having to do it all again so soon.
It's not true to say that particular lengths of awards have been 'banned'. I can say that because we have had members who have been awarded 3, 5 years and 10 years since January.
What is true, is that they are awarding many shorter awards like your own, especially to people with mental health problems. I think this is on the expectation that a claimant's condition might improve so they are monitoring more often - hence the shorter awards. Putting people through so much stress so quickly is awful.
Now whether there are any internal messages given to the assessors about award lengths - we can't confirm.
BIS
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