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PIP Review (AR1)
- Jennifer
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1 week 2 days ago #313631 by Jennifer
PIP Review (AR1) was created by Jennifer
Hi All,
So stressed - applied for PIP two years ago (anxiety, depression, PTSD, Complex-PTSD) and was awarded it - at that time had a named carer with a Care Plan included from her and a social worker, with a Care and Needs Assessment included from her. Have to submit my review in a few weeks - so stressed, though - still have a carer but this carer doesn’t want to be named on the form, or, contacted by DWP - I still have a detailed care plan, though - I no longer have a social worker as the case was closed when I started to employ a carer privately, instead of it being partially funded by the Council - I do have a Care and Needs Assessment but this is over a year old - I am now under the CMHT and can include psychiatrist’s letters but I have a new psychiatrist and he says that I am in the ‘Assessment Phase’ (his way of working, I think) - even though I have had the same diagnoses for 11 years! I have been referred for an ASD Assessment by my GP and should be able to provide evidence for this. I have a therapist (who I have known, although not consistently worked with, for 11 years) and am able to provide supporting evidence from her, describing how my condition affects my Daily Living. I can also include a friend, who has known me for 27 years, as a contact. I have got an appointment with CAB on Wednesday. I am extremely stressed and am wondering if anyone can offer any help, or, advice, please?
So stressed - applied for PIP two years ago (anxiety, depression, PTSD, Complex-PTSD) and was awarded it - at that time had a named carer with a Care Plan included from her and a social worker, with a Care and Needs Assessment included from her. Have to submit my review in a few weeks - so stressed, though - still have a carer but this carer doesn’t want to be named on the form, or, contacted by DWP - I still have a detailed care plan, though - I no longer have a social worker as the case was closed when I started to employ a carer privately, instead of it being partially funded by the Council - I do have a Care and Needs Assessment but this is over a year old - I am now under the CMHT and can include psychiatrist’s letters but I have a new psychiatrist and he says that I am in the ‘Assessment Phase’ (his way of working, I think) - even though I have had the same diagnoses for 11 years! I have been referred for an ASD Assessment by my GP and should be able to provide evidence for this. I have a therapist (who I have known, although not consistently worked with, for 11 years) and am able to provide supporting evidence from her, describing how my condition affects my Daily Living. I can also include a friend, who has known me for 27 years, as a contact. I have got an appointment with CAB on Wednesday. I am extremely stressed and am wondering if anyone can offer any help, or, advice, please?
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1 week 1 day ago #313674 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP Review (AR1)
Hi Jennifer
I understand this is stressing you out, but you are in a much better position than many claimants in that you still have a lot of up-to-date evidence. Don't worry about something being a year old. The DWP likes recent evidence to be no older than three years old, and you're well inside that. (They do actually accept older evidence - whatever they say.) It doesn't matter if your carer doesn't want to be named. Plenty of claimants don't have anyone. It's great that you have a friend who can write a letter. You have an appointment with the CAB. If they complete your form and say they will send it off - make sure that you have a copy of it before they do so.
BIS
I understand this is stressing you out, but you are in a much better position than many claimants in that you still have a lot of up-to-date evidence. Don't worry about something being a year old. The DWP likes recent evidence to be no older than three years old, and you're well inside that. (They do actually accept older evidence - whatever they say.) It doesn't matter if your carer doesn't want to be named. Plenty of claimants don't have anyone. It's great that you have a friend who can write a letter. You have an appointment with the CAB. If they complete your form and say they will send it off - make sure that you have a copy of it before they do so.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Jennifer
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6 days 21 hours ago #313708 by Jennifer
Replied by Jennifer on topic PIP Review (AR1)
Hi,
Thank you so much for your reply and advice.
I had my appointment with CAB this morning which went well.
I am still concerned about my medical evidence, though - I have lots of notes from GP Consultations, as well as a list of diagnoses on my Medical Record - I am still concerned that my relatively new psychiatrist in the CMHT (under his care since September 2025) has put '?' next to my diagnoses as he says that I am in the 'Assessment Phase' - due to being a new patient of his, I think.
I asked my CAB adviser if I should see a psychiatrist privately (who I have a supporting letter from, from August 2024, when he carried out an assessment - it confirms my diagnoses but has my wrong address on the letter!) and ask him to assess me, confirm my diagnoses, provide a supporting letter and be a contact on my form - that appointment would cost £380 - which is just such a lot!
My adviser didn't think that it would be necessary (I know that people are awarded PIP without a diagnosis) but I am still really worried about it - I just don't want to pay £380 (which I can hardly afford, anyway) if I don't need to.
I would be grateful if you could let me know what you think.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
Thank you so much for your reply and advice.
I had my appointment with CAB this morning which went well.
I am still concerned about my medical evidence, though - I have lots of notes from GP Consultations, as well as a list of diagnoses on my Medical Record - I am still concerned that my relatively new psychiatrist in the CMHT (under his care since September 2025) has put '?' next to my diagnoses as he says that I am in the 'Assessment Phase' - due to being a new patient of his, I think.
I asked my CAB adviser if I should see a psychiatrist privately (who I have a supporting letter from, from August 2024, when he carried out an assessment - it confirms my diagnoses but has my wrong address on the letter!) and ask him to assess me, confirm my diagnoses, provide a supporting letter and be a contact on my form - that appointment would cost £380 - which is just such a lot!
My adviser didn't think that it would be necessary (I know that people are awarded PIP without a diagnosis) but I am still really worried about it - I just don't want to pay £380 (which I can hardly afford, anyway) if I don't need to.
I would be grateful if you could let me know what you think.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
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5 days 22 hours ago #313729 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP Review (AR1)
Hi Jennifer
I think you should do what feels right for you, so I can tell you what I think, and if it doesn't align with what you are considering, you should go with your gut instinct.
You already have a recent letter from the private psychiatrist in 2024. I know it's got the wrong address - but just write that it is the wrong address on a copy, if you want to send it in as evidence. Frankly, the DWP probably won't even notice. I would not pay £380 for a more up-to-date one. You say that you can't afford it, and in reality, you have no idea whether that letter is even needed. It's an expensive gamble. Also, the DWP is not particularly in favour of private consultant letters because they assume a claimant may have paid to get a favourable letter.
You have said that you are under the CMHT, and the psychiatrist has said you are in the assessment phase. There is nothing wrong with that. He's new and doesn't yet know you. If you're worried about that, don't submit any documentation that has that remark on. The DWP rarely follows up with GPS or consultants (despite what they imply).
Remember, you were awarded a PIP last time. Now you have a review, and you have to show that things have not improved or may have worsened. The majority of that evidence is demonstrated by what you say and what you write, as per the PIP criteria, not by what any of the medical professionals say.
BIS
I think you should do what feels right for you, so I can tell you what I think, and if it doesn't align with what you are considering, you should go with your gut instinct.
You already have a recent letter from the private psychiatrist in 2024. I know it's got the wrong address - but just write that it is the wrong address on a copy, if you want to send it in as evidence. Frankly, the DWP probably won't even notice. I would not pay £380 for a more up-to-date one. You say that you can't afford it, and in reality, you have no idea whether that letter is even needed. It's an expensive gamble. Also, the DWP is not particularly in favour of private consultant letters because they assume a claimant may have paid to get a favourable letter.
You have said that you are under the CMHT, and the psychiatrist has said you are in the assessment phase. There is nothing wrong with that. He's new and doesn't yet know you. If you're worried about that, don't submit any documentation that has that remark on. The DWP rarely follows up with GPS or consultants (despite what they imply).
Remember, you were awarded a PIP last time. Now you have a review, and you have to show that things have not improved or may have worsened. The majority of that evidence is demonstrated by what you say and what you write, as per the PIP criteria, not by what any of the medical professionals say.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Jennifer
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