starting PIP claim soon

Hi tintack

1. As you know there are conflicting reports about the CAB. I'm certainly not going to knock them - there are many wonderful people who work there and many claimants who would have received no money if they hadn't got any help. However, I would always say to people that if you rely soley on a CAB advisor you may have to accept how they complete the form and it is unlikely to be with the level of detail that you might hope for. I always encourage claimants to realise that they are the experts in their condition and generally, despite worrying about their ability to put things into words, they are the best people to explain their conditions. However, not everyone has the ability or is well enough to do it alone, and if someone needs support, they should try to get it. You are wise to look at our guides for back-up information.

2. The DWP rarely contacts GPs, but if they do, they ask them to complete a standard form. They don't generally ask for copies of consultant letters.

3. It doesn't make any difference in terms of your claim that you had surgery last year - other than it hasn't had the outcome you hoped for and therefore that's why you are putting in your claim. Make sure that you make it very clear that this will not change - or they might give you a short-term award thinking it is just taking you longer to get better.

BIS

Hi tintack

The following is an extract from the guidance for medical professionals regarding the patient report for PIP :-

2.4 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) factual report
2.4.1 Background
Factual reports for patients claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be requested where the Assessment Provider believes that further evidence will help inform their advice to the department.

The assessment for PIP considers the claimant’s ability to carry out a series of everyday activities. The relevant activities are:

preparing food
taking nutrition
managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
washing and bathing
managing toilet needs or incontinence
dressing and undressing
communicating verbally
reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
engaging with other people face to face
making budgeting decisions
planning and following journeys
moving around
The completed report should be returned within 5 working days from the date of receipt.

2.4.2 Specific questions
Date when last seen
If your patient has not been seen recently by you, please tell us when and where the patient was last seen by another healthcare professional.

Question 1 – Disabling conditions
List all the health conditions or impairments which may affect the patient’s current functional ability and the dates of when these conditions first presented.

Question 2 – History of conditions
Please detail the patients past and present history. Details of the past history can be very useful, especially when it demonstrates a change in condition over a period of time, rather than simple statements such as “suffered since 1999”.

It is helpful to state whether the conditions are mild, moderate or severe although it is accepted that this is subject to individual interpretation, and if appropriate, whether they are well controlled or not (diabetes, asthma, epilepsy etc). Include details of any relevant special investigations or tests for each condition and the results.

Question 3 – Symptoms and variability
Information should be based on the patient’s clinical record and include both day-to-day and longer-term fluctuations. Include the frequency and duration of exacerbations and specify if the condition is well controlled.

Question 4 – Relevant clinical findings
Entitlement to PIP is based on the impact of the individual’s impairment or health condition(s) on their everyday life. Please provide details of examination findings related to the severity or impact of any health conditions or impairments.

Question 5 – Treatment: current, planned, response and diagnosis
Information could include details of drug and non-drug treatment, aids and appliances used (prescribed or, if known, non-prescribed), specify frequency of treatment and, for medication, dose as relevant.

Question 6 – Effects of the disabling condition(s) on day-to-day life
If known, it would be helpful to have information on the patient’s ability to carry out the relevant activities at 2.4.1.

We are looking for facts, not opinion, with the date of the observation. If you would like to offer your opinion, please make sure it is supported by factual evidence.

Question 7 – History of threatening or violent behaviour
The purpose of this section is to identify those patients who may pose a threat to a healthcare professional if invited to a face-to-face assessment.

Question 8 – Patient travel to an assessment centre
A small number of patients are unable to travel to an examination centre and may be offered a taxi or assessment in their own home if required. Patients who travel to an examination centre are entitled to claim travelling expenses.

Question 9 – Additional Information
This section is not asking for opinion but provides space to answer any specific questions raised and an opportunity to add any other relevant information. For example:

in patients with severe depression, do they have suicidal ideas or psychotic features?
planned treatment, for example hip replacement surgery.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-f...-guide-to-completion

David