TELEPHONE CALL FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF PIP REVIEW

My Dad's PIP Award Review was sent in December and we haven't heard anything since. My Dad sadly has a multitude of severely debilitating and life limiting medical conditions. He is in severe pain, frequently asleep in the day and suffers from depression (made significantly worse after the diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and it's associated bleak prognosis last year). Supporting additional 'new' medical information from Respiratory Medicine, Cardiology and updated 3 page letter from the GP (who listed all medical problems and the impact they have on day to day activities etc). The GP also stated that if a face to face assessment is needed then this would have to be done in the home (he had an assessment at home last time).

Just now my mum received a call (not sure who it was) in relation to the PIP Award Review and they asked to speak to my Dad. Mum explained that my Dad was sleeping. They told my mum to wake him up. Mum said she wouldn't do that and they said they would call again tomorrow.

We've never received a phone call before. With not hearing anything until now this is a bolt out of the blue. Under what circumstances do they call? Is this standard practice to be told that the person needs to be woken up? What happens tomorrow?

This is so distressing for my Dad which is why as a family we've done everything possible to help him with this. My mum is in poor health herself and both are approximately 70 years old. I want to help them and don't know what to do for the best?

Hello Gordon,

Thank you so much for your reply.

In answer to your question no-one acts legally on behalf of my father. We all just muddle through doing the best we can collectively.

My Dad struggles to communicate with others (all listed in the PIP Review form) so struggles to have chats with us (immediate family). Talking to strangers would be a massive struggle even on his very rare better days. He really hates talking to people.

Would you suggest either my mum, sister or I call tomorrow and find out more? What should we say? If we explain the above will they listen?

What kind of information would they want over the phone?

Thank you Gordon.

What's a PBR?

I realise now that PBR=Paper Based Review!