PIP Review - Covid and Bereavement

Hi Kev68

If your mental health has deteriorated since the last review and the impact is relevant to the specific PIP criteria - then you should say so.

We haven't heard any comments regarding an assessor being sympathetic or dismissive of someone's mental health deteriorating due to the circumstances of Covid or bereavement, but depending on the circumstances there may be an assumption that the impact may be 'short - term' in both cases (which of course isn't necessarily true) and they may make a recommendation for a shorter-term award.

Whether a claimant is filling out the first PIP form or filling out a review form, the most important thing is keeping in mind the PIP criteria - so if something is not directly relevant - don't put it in.

BIS

Hello Kev68,

One of the PIP rules is that a condition you must have had a condtion for 3 months and reasonably expect it to last for at least another 9 months.

Clearly you will have some idea of when your symptoms got worse, but I think if you want them to be taken into consideration in your assessment you will need to show that they are likely to last for the next 9 months.

Catherine