LIBRA1's PIP Queries Topic !!!

Hello,

It's been over 5 weeks since the DWP got my paper based report back from ATOS (I'm in the London area). I phoned last week to ask whether the DM has made a decision yet and was told there wasn't one yet.

My fixed term DLA is due to expire next week.

What happens now? Do they write to me to extend my DLA whilst I wait for a decision on PIP?

Are there delays, backlogs? Just wondering why it is taking so long for them to make a decision when ATOS only took 3 weeks to do a paper assessment.

Of course, I am worried that the DM will go against the recommendations of the Assessor (got a copy of the report which was favourable). Does that happen often?

Thank you.

libra1 wrote: Hello,

It's been over 5 weeks since the DWP got my paper based report back from ATOS (I'm in the London area). I phoned last week to ask whether the DM has made a decision yet and was told there wasn't one yet.

My fixed term DLA is due to expire next week.

What happens now? Do they write to me to extend my DLA whilst I wait for a decision on PIP?

Are there delays, backlogs? Just wondering why it is taking so long for them to make a decision when ATOS only took 3 weeks to do a paper assessment.

Of course, I am worried that the DM will go against the recommendations of the Assessor (got a copy of the report which was favourable). Does that happen often?

Thank you.

Hi l1,

It is perfectly understandable that the wait for the decision is bothering you !!

However, as previously advised, we are aware that the whole PIP Assessment Process has slowed down since New Year !!

bro58

Thank you Gordon and bro58,

Yes, it is worrying me. I am fearful that the DM might disagree with the Atos recommendation and lose me points or the recommendation of an award altogether.

Is it right that once you are part of the PIP assessment process, then even if your DLA expiry date comes and goes, your DLA remains in payment regardless? I am worried that it will just stop.

On the bright side, the longer they take to make a decision, the longer my DLA remains in payment.

If they do adopt the Assessor's recommendations then the recommended PIP award will mean a loss of about £200 a month - down from high rate care low rate mobility DLA to standard rate daily living PIP. Not to mention, there would be a further £100 per month loss of the severe disability element of my working tax credits. I am bracing myself for a total loss of £300 per month. So yes, I do want to know where I stand.

Gordon - the woman on the phone at the DWP was clueless as to whether there were backlogs. All she said was that as well as a lot of DLA to PIP assessments like mine, they had a lot of fresh PIP claims to deal with. But, she didn't confirm there was a backlog when I directly asked her. However, maybe they can't say this considering the hot water they got into with all the delays when PIP was rolled out, which they have only just recovered from. I remember reading there was a court judgment saying the delays were unlawful, so.. maybe they don't want to admit it? Yet? But, I will call and remind them my DLA is about to expire...

Thanks for the info, suggestions and reassurance.

Hello,

After calling last week to find out if there had been any progress on my PIP decision (no there wasn't), I got a letter to say that, given my DLA fixed term award expires this week, they would be extending my DLA until March 2017.

I also got a one week payment of DLA I wasn't expecting this week. I phoned up to ask why that was and was told it was the final DLA payment from my expired fixed term award and that my next (now extended) DLA payment would be in 4 weeks time.

I was also told no decision has been made as yet, still. I was told that at the end of last week the DWP case managers were dealing with reports received on 26th January 2016 from the assessors. My report arrived with them on the 29th. I have no idea what that really means. Does it take one day, three days, one week, two weeks or what to deal with each batch of cases by date order of arrival with the case managers? Therefore, I am none the wiser as to when my PIP decision will be made. I am assuming it is probably sooner rather than later.

Gordon and bro58 - I was also told that on the day my PIP decision is made, my DLA will run on for 4 weeks from the date of the decision and not from the next payday after the decision (as all their online 'PIP myth buster' info and other regulations seem to indicate). There was no explanation for this confusing information.

Just thought I'd update you.