PIP Review

Hello,

After successfully using the guides here in my application for PIP (and ESA) in 2019, I’m back because my husband received his PIP Review form today.

I’ve spent some time reading the award review form and the appropriate advice offered in the guide and have a couple of general questions.

1. From the guide: “DWP guidance says the case manager "will compare the new information against the evidence from
the previous assessment".

To clarify, does this mean the case manager has access to and will refer to the previous application in its entirety or will they simply use the health professionals report which details points awarded etc?

2. My husband has Parkinson’s and his condition has deteriorated since the last assessment therefore there are changes in pretty much every category. At his last assessment I don’t feel the severity of his condition was truly recognised so I want to be sure to be impress upon the case manager how poorly he is, (completely dependant on me for everything), increased falls and stumbles, cognitive decline, confusion and such. All commensurate with a progressive condition.

He’s coming up to retirement age and in recognition of the severity of his condition his ESA assessments were “switched off” permanently in 2019. I’m guessing this should/could lend some weight to the consideration.

So do you have any advice or suggestions as to how best to ensure I communicate his deterioration. I sent in over 60 pages of supplemental evidence for his initial assessment and I really don’t think the health professional paid much heed.

On the plus side I do have evidence of a catastrophic fall he had 18 months ago (his falls were minimised by the DM at the original assessment) and he is on medication to help his cognitive function. But issues such as his extreme tiredness (he sleeps a lot) are harder to quantify.

I’d appreciate any insights or thoughts. It’s not my first DWP Rodeo but I’m recently bereaved and feel quite beleaguered.