Paper based review for PIP renewal

Hi, I'm my son's appointee and currently filling in his PIP review form. His initial face to face assessment 4 years ago was terrible and lasted 2 hs 40mins. That assessor  forgot to file his claim so we had to go back and attend another face to face 3 weeks later, also 2 hours. My son was 16 years old and had to sit and listen to me describing his difficulties and support as well as try and communicate this himself. It was heartbreaking.

I appealed the decision and it went to tribunal however the DWP cancelled beforehand and my son was awarded enhanced rate both components. I don't want to have to go through this again and would like to request a paper based review. I think I understand the disadvantages of this.

My son has a number of physical disabilities and has Aspergers so struggles talking on the phone as well as not having or being able to convey a full picture of the support he needs. My review claim is backed up by additional medical reports which state the effects and difficulties of his diagnosis in relation to the descriptors and the DWP has his original medical evidence. I don't have any faith the DWP will give the right award anyway so anticipate it's going to go once again to MR and tribunal so see no need in attending a face to face or telephone assessment and putting us both through the stress.

One thing that may or may not be relevant is that I'm in Scotland and so I'm likely to be "mid-claim" during the PIP changes here on August 29th. I think the new system will be paper based in most cases.

My question is am I missing something in this approach? ie that if I'm going to go to appeal anyway I might as well miss out the telephone/face to face assessment. Or am I misunderstanding a paper review and at what point in the process it occurs? I'm not sure if I can submit my claim then request a paper base assessment once they offer a face to face/telephone assessment, or if I have to request a paper based review when I submit.

Thank you
Elle

Thanks BIS for the response and considerate words.

I have submitted my review claim form however I couldn't see anywhere to ask for a paper based review. Is this something I can request once I've been asked to attend a face to face or telephone assessment? I don't know at what stage this request can be made.

Thanks

Thank you BIS.

Am I right in thinking then that they will send a letter requesting my son attend either a face to face or telephone assessment. I then have to phone the DWP before that date to request a paper based review instead. I should then also write to them with reasons as to why I feel a paper based review is a better option. They will then pause my claim until they decide whether a paper based review can happen. Question, when I make that initial phone call requesting a change to a paper based review, will they ask me there and then why I want to change?

I've searched my PIP review form and I can't see the page with the question where it asks if there is there anything else I need to tell them. I've also looked at the specimen form on the uk gov website. I know I must be missing it! Is this in the review form or just the main PIP claim form?

Thanks for your help
E