My PIP Success

This morning I received my PIP letter, following my F2F assessment just over 3 weeks ago & I sincerely hope my post gives hope to those undergoing migration from DLA to PIP.

I'd had indefinite awards of DLA High Rate care & Low mobility, which were awarded mainly for my mental health problems , which I'd been hospitalised for on 2 or 3 occassions. I'd been under the care of the CMHT for many years, & my CPN & psychiatrist were both very supportive of my DLA claim. The time came though with budget limitations, that I would be discharged from the CMHT into the care of my GP as it was felt I was beginning to cope better.

Shortly after my discharge, I became physically seriously ill & in hospital for a couple of months & I ended up with a colostomy & also had a heart attack. Also, arthritis in hands & ankles has become a problem that has worsened over the years. When I received the letter telling me I needed to apply for PIP & my DLA would end I became quite depressed & unsure whether I'd succeed with getting a PIP award ,seeing I no longer saw anybody regularly other than my GP for both my mental & physical health & I haven't found my drs surgery particularly supportive. The only medical evidence I was able to send were the old letters from my CPN & psychiatrist & details of surgeon & hospital stoma nurse, a GP letter listing my health conditions, which actually contained errors & made no mention of having a colostomy, & of course details of all meds, which do include items for mental health as well as physical health & colostomy supplies.

Anyway I knew my best chance would be to join B&W & get access to the great guides to help me fill out the forms. I saw my GP regarding a letter to request a home visit & it was hopeless as he gave no actual reason as to why I should have a home visit, he stated only 'due to my medical conditions', so it was no real surprise when I was summoned to attend a F2F, but they had at least changed the assessment centre to one much more convenient to where I live & a more reasonable time.. - The original appointment was for a centre absolutely miles away in an area neither I or my carer are familiar with & it was for 8am! I got permission for me & my carer to take taxis as like many people with mental health & anxiety problems, travelling on public transport is a problem for me.

We were called in soon after arriving & assessor appeared very nice & reassuring, but I'd heard that it was best not to be taken in by an assessor appearing friendly & understanding. We were in there for about 30 mins I'd say. My carer was able to answer some of the questions for me, or elaborate when needed. I was asked to do some movements with my hands & arms & also my ankles (wasn't able to do ankle ones at all). We were told I should hear result within 6-8 weeks.

I had no real confidence in getting an award because of the many refusals we hear about & I really feared I'd not concentrated enough to ensure I mentioned the words reliably & repeatedly . I told myself I'd appeal if I got 0 points, but that I would be content with standard care, so the letter today was an unbelievable surprise, especially getting the enhanced mobility when I thought they'd not give me any mobility at all. I got 18 points for daily living & strangely some points I though I qualified for were awarded 0 points & others got more points than expected. For mobility I got 14 points. The award as mentioned is ongoing and mentions I'll be contacted after Aug 2027.

So a huge thank you to this site & to Gordon for the advice given on completing the forms. I was able to do it myself with the help of my carer, without any outside agency benefits advice. The advice you give here really is invaluable. :o)

Sorry this is so long, As I've only been able to tell my carer, I felt desperate to share my good news with others.