Starting the DLA to PIP Battle

Hi. I recently transfered from DLA to pip having previously had a lifetime award. I have subscribed or years to this excellent site and followed the guides. It does seem like a military operation but keep at it. The advice to have file and keep detailed records of all contact both written and verbal is invaluable. Be clear and honest. It is not easy having to explain personal details about your day to day life but the clearer picture you portray the better.
My claim took 6 months including a cancelled face to face as the assessor was ill. It is a very stressful time but keep positive. I have now got my award and breathed a huge sigh of relief and tears of relief. Good luck.

We went to a local CAB office yesterday to complete the PIP2 form. I took along my answers, based on the guide, for the activities I thought we might get points for. The advisor was impressed with the level of preparation and the information I had included in my answers.

My wife, myself and the advisor worked through everything and we felt that we had done the best job possible. I think it is very useful to do this if you can. Having to explain things to somebody else and getting feedback flags up things that you might not otherwise have thought of.

And he did make a suggestion on the getting dressed activity that might get us something on that when I didn't think we would.

When we were happy with what we had, he took everything away and got someone else to check it. He came back with another little adjustment that could help.

Finally, he scanned the form and evidence so that they have a copy in case we need a MR or tribunal. Or in case the DWP lose everything! I will obviously make my own copies before returning the application but it's nice to have a back up.

Overal, I was very impressed with the service and I would definitely recommend it. This whole process seems a bit random and you never know what the outcome will be. But I feel that we have done everything that we can so far.

Rich

I know there have been some questions on here about recorded delivery. I used the return envelope that came with the form but took it to the post office and paid £1.10 for signed for delivery.

Posted around 1pm Thursday. Delivered around 1pm Friday. The signature is a squiggle and the printed name is D, but at least I know it has arrived.

I finally finished mine absolutely washed out and drained last week. I sent mine special delivery (the old registered delivery; what used to be called recorded delivery I believe is now signed for; very confusing). We have found out that the normal signed for which goes through the normal service (so if it gets lost it is not trackable where), has often been signed for by the postman and shoved t through the door. Not good when paying extra for a specific service.

I think 'D' seems to be very common, I wonder whether it is actually used by many people rather than being someone specific!

Maybe D is what they all use if they have to sign for something. I took screenshots from the post office tracking website confirming that they had delivered it. And it did get there next day even though it was in the second-class return envelope. Today we got a text from the DWP saying thank you for returning it.

Now we just have to worry about what they make of it.