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Hi anxious

Yes you start by contacting DWP and ask for a copy of the assessors report called a PA3 as it sounds as though you had a paper assessment.
Once you get the report you will be able to see how you were marked. Go through the report and highlight any errors, especially if you can tie it in with any medical evidence you may have sent in.
If you use the CRMR1 form, you can add extra pages, make sure you number the extra pages and add your NI number to each page.

Gary

Dear XXXXXX,

Thank you for writing to me about Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and the UC and PIP Bill.

I have had a huge number of emails and conversations with constituents about this, and I know how strongly many people feel about these changes.

Over recent weeks I have worked very hard with the Prime Minister and colleagues across Parliament to improve this package, and to listen to the concerns that many people have raised. As a result, there have been a number of significant improvements to this Bill.

Crucially, these changes will not affect anyone currently in receipt of PIP or UC, and will only apply to new applicants from November 2026. The Government has also commissioned an expert review, working with disabled people and disability organisations to co-design the future of PIP assessment.

This Bill will also end needless reassessments for people with the most severe disabilities. It will boost the basic rate of UC by hundreds of pounds a year, and it comes alongside more than £1bn in tailored back to work support. There will also be a new legal ‘right to try’ so that people with disabilities can have greater confidence that seeking work will not result in reassessment and loss of support.

I believe these changes are necessary, and that this Government is absolutely right to start the process of fixing our broken welfare system. The system we inherited from the last government is simply not fit for purpose - it traps and abandons too many people out of work, and it denies disabled people the dignity and support they need. The costs of this failure are also rising to an unsustainable level.

That is why the Government have set about these reforms, and why we have worked so hard in recent weeks to get the package before Parliament right. I will be supporting this Bill today, and I can assure you that will continue to scrutinise it as it passes through Parliament.

Thank you again for writing to me.

All best wishes,

Chris Ward
Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

Hi Mason,
Unfortunately it is becoming all too obvious that assessments are very poor and often don't take into account the full nature of a claimants disabilities. Equally disappointing is the total reliance DWP places on these inadequate reports.

If your friend wishes to see if she can get enhanced level PIP, she will need to do MR. Even if MR doesn't work, there is a very good success rate at tribunal.
Clearly the assessor has made some sweeping assumptions and made incorrect comments. If you want to proceed with MR, see if you can condense the assessment report into 4 or 5 bullet points, and give examples. Try not to nit pick poor spelling etc , but of course repeated spelling and grammar errors will indicate a lack of attention to detail.
What I normally do is to write a paragraph or 2 setting out health problems and give an overview including any major treatment or surgery etc. Explain any potential discrepancies with medication, ie allergies, side effects and why stronger versions can't be taken. If relevant, explain why further treatment isn't being done, this could be due to non-availability, non- compatibility etc.
Then write out the bullet points as per above. Finally go through each relevant descriptor and if required a more detailed criticism of the assessment as you explain how/why the descriptor activities can't be done. If you agree with DWP say so.
Remember to think about safety, acceptable standard, reasonable time and repetition. All 4 criteria have to be met. It is highly likely that the assessor hasn't properly considered these. (If so, this could comprise one of your bullet points.)
As a friend, and someone clearly aware of your friend's debilitating health problems you can write a statement confirming her disability, the help you give or others give. Or maybe help required but not provided. Also explain and discrepancies that you are aware in her meds etc
Photos might help, but bear in mind they will end up being photocopied into black and white, so need to be very clear.
Let us now if you need any more advice.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hello, apologies for the length of this.

I'm posting for a friend who is too overwhelmed to even think about mandatory reconsideration after a very difficult telephone reassessment. She has issues with her feet, spina bifada and weakness in her hands/wrists/forearms since childhood. Having had a lot of operations and medical input over the years she has tried to manage pain etc herself rather than going to the GP when she knows they won't be able to help. I have seen first hand the challenges she faces. But the assessor took a different view and awarded her no points at all. This was over turned by the decision maker who has awarded her standard DL and standard mobility. This is what she was awarded in 2017 but she was assessed as enhanced DL (I think in the assessment before this one). She can't find the award letter. She is currently under a consultant about some of the issues with her feet which may result in fusion or amputation. Having read the assessors report it is clear as someone who knows her that the stress and anxiety made it difficult for her to communicate her reality. There are a number of points that I have a feeling the assessor misunderstood. She has stated that she struggles taking nutrition (having used your guides and training for my own PIP I think she really was thinking that meant preparing a meal but hey ho) and the assessor has stated that she uses smaller cutlery because she has small hands - when what she was trying to convey is that the weakness and pain makes it difficult to hold standard size. The assessor also stated that she showered three times a week to save water - when actually it is because the pain of standing on her foot is too much. Also she used to go sailing and the assessor said this is because her dad sold the boat. It is actually because she no longer can be that active. What has really gone against her is that as she can drive (an adapted car!), dust and wipe surfaces and use grab rails in the bathroom she can manage OK and there is no functional restriction. They have decided that because she can convey food to her mouth she has adequate grip power to manage pain medication and because she completed the handwritten form. AR1. They have assessed that as she only uses over the counter pain killers massage and exercise that her pain isn't that bad, also that she doesn't have any hip/knee/back deformity which would impact on her movement (which I'm not sure is accurate) and hasn't had input from the falls team she must be OK. Although there is some reporting of additional time taken in activities there doesn't seem to be any recognition of the pain it causes her when she is using her foot either standing or walking, which she has described to me as stabbing and searing and that she feels nauseous and like she might pass out. I think she was too distraught by the process to say this but also they'd disbelieve it because of her reluctance to go back to her GP for pain medication. In addition to all this she found it difficult to understand the assessor who had an accent.

I think there are several areas she could challenge in terms of misunderstanding, but that if she does go for mandatory reconsideration she should aim to get the previous points reinstated. It does feel risky though and might be worth waiting for a reassessment which will be 2027 (so in reality this time next year). So I suppose I'm trying to get a less biased view as to whether it is even worth thinking about on the information above. Are there things that could be gently clarified (challenged!) do you think? Especially given the lack of evidence. I do know that there are threads about driving and also about pain medication but equally it is more difficult to go back instead of being clear on the form. Final question - do they accept photos as evidence - she showed me a photo of her foot at the end of a typical day and you can clearly see it has swollen significantly and to me shows how much pain she is actually in. Any thoughts would be really helpful. Thanks.

I have had a similar copy and paste response from my MP, Josh Simons, as well. I've emailed him 3 times regarding these changes and he's only deigned to respond now they've announced the 1st climbdown (I'm hoping/expecting at some point in the next few days that this bill will be removed. I've pasted it below. I'm glad he can afford to have principles, some of us don't have the luxury. He was parachuted in to one of the safest Labour seats around last year, it's voted Labour for over a century, with different boundaries included, I've told him straight I've quit as a member of the Labour Party and will never vote for them again. I also told him I hope he enjoys the ignominy of being the first Labour MP for over 100 years to lose the Makerfield seat.
"Dear Allan,

I write to update you about the Welfare Bill coming to Parliament on Tuesday, as I know you have contacted me about this before.

Many of you have been anxious and concerned about changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). I am delighted the Government has clarified that all current recipients of PIP will be unaffected. You and your family do not need to worry that you will lose PIP payments.

I’ve always said that my first job as an MP is to be visible in our communities and listen. All my strongest relationships - as a husband or Dad - involve listening, reflecting, and acting. In recent months, you have made your concern about the government’s proposals clear, and the fact your voices have been heard is the sign of a strong, healthy democracy.

Let me be clear about my principles. I strongly believe our welfare system needs reform. We live in dangerous times, so I support significant increases in defence spending, and our NHS is in crisis, so I support more funds for healthcare too. I do not think more of your money should be spent on welfare than on national security and health. I also believe that for too many, our welfare system has become undignified and inhumane, placing more emphasis on what people cannot do than on supporting people to contribute.

The welfare state was created after the Second World War, from a blueprint in the Beveridge Report, which wanted to tackle poverty, ill-health, lack of education, poor living conditions, and unemployment. It was about protecting people, but it was also about individuals and the country reaching their potential, and rebuilding in a better way after the War. A Labour Government created the welfare state to empower people, to enable everyone to contribute, and it falls to a Labour Government to reform our welfare system to ensure it once again embodies those principles.

That is why I support the wider reform ambitions in this Bill: providing more protections for the most vulnerable, ensuring those who can never work are spared the indignity of repeat assessments, and increases in Universal Credit. I also strongly support ‘right to try’ proposals, to ensure people can always get back into work without being penalised, alongside local investment in WorkWell centres to support people into work.

If you ever need support with benefit inquiries or applications, Wigan Council’s ‘Here for You’ team can help: www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Communities/Here-for-you/ ​​​​. We work closely together and they have secured over £9 million in benefits for Wiganers that would not otherwise have been paid.

Please sign up here to my newsletter, where I send regular updates on my work for our area. You can find information about my local priorities here. You can also follow me on social media here. I hold coffee mornings in a town in my constituency every month – let me know if you’d like to join.

Yours sincerely,

Josh Simons MP

Robbo wrote:

Hi guys I have attached is a reply from my so called Labour MP with ref to her views on the welfare cuts to say I am disgusted is a under statement there is no Labour Party anymore sadly I will never vote Labour cheers Robbo , PIP and Welfare Reforms (Case Ref: NC3800) Thank you for contacting me about this important issue and I apologise for the delay in response. On 18th March, the government announced its welfare reforms and releases the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The proposals are in response to a growing number of people across the country being on incapacity benefits long term. One in 10 working-age people in Britain are now claiming at least one type of health or disability benefit. 2.8 million people are out of work and classed as long-term sick and the number of people claiming health related benefits with no requirement to work has increased by 45% since 2019. We are the only country in the G7 to not see employment and economic inactivity rates return to pre-pandemic levels. The system is not working for disabled people, and it is not working for the taxpayer. We need a welfare system fit for the future, that does not trap people on low incomes and excludes them from good work. The current system creates a binary of fit for work and not fit for work when many people’s circumstances are more complex and fluctuate, with accommodating workplace settings people who want to work can work and stay in work long term, increasing their incomes, standard of living and their life chances. There is a lack of support for disabled and long-term sick to get into work and there are peverse incentives in the system that encourage people to present as unfit for work in fear of losing their benefits. We are removing those perverse incentives from the system and protecting people’s access to additional support in and out of work so people can try work without fear of losing their benefits and livelihoods. Programmes such as Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for those with severe mental illness have shown incredible results in supporting people into work. The government will expand this programme to reach 140,000 more people by 2028/29 and other trailblazer programmes with support of local authorities and the voluntary community sector to give disabled people the same opportunities and chances as everyone else. That is why I welcome the Government’s record £1 billion investment in tailored employment support for disabled people. This comes alongside efforts to break down barriers to work and create healthier, more inclusive workplaces. There are 200,000 people receiving incapacity and disability benefits who feel they could work now if the right job or support was available and 1 million say they may be able to work in the future if their health improved. The government’s Plan for Change, is a joined-up approach between the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to bring down waiting lists and have people on a path of recovery sooner to enable more people the opportunity to access employment, stability and independence that is not available in the current system. Crucially, the new "Right to Try" guarantee will ensure going back to work itself will never lead to a reassessment, giving people the confidence to take on new opportunities. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggests that benefit changes over the last decade have likely driven people into the most inactive parts of the economy. The Resolution Foundation have highlighted that ‘changes to the benefits system over the last decade have strengthened the incentive to claim incapacity and disability benefits. This is because, under the last government the real value of Universal Credit (UC) and out of work benefits fell significantly. That’s why I support this government’s decision to increase the basic rate of UC to protect living standards while providing people the support they need for good and fulfilling work. This will be the first increase to UC above inflation, with a cash increase of £725 per year, on current forecasts, for a single household aged over 25 by 2030. I understand the concerns you have raised regarding changes to disability welfare. People are understandably fearful when they hear about changes to the benefits system, and I want to be clear up front that the reforms announced by the Government will not result in any immediate changes to anyone’s benefits. I believe that we need a welfare state that is there for all of us when we need it, now and in the future, that protects those most in need, and that delivers equality and dignity for all. There will always be some people who cannot work, and I assure you that they will be protected. The Government is looking at ways to ensure that those who will never be able to work are afforded confidence and dignity by never having to go through reassessments, and it is proposing that those people continue to receive additional support through Universal Credit (UC). That’s why for those who have been deemed with Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activities (LCWRA) will not have to go through the process of bi-annual assessment again. The broken Work Capability Assessment will be scrapped. This will simplify the process for attaining health-related benefits into one single assessment and end binary categorisations of can and cannot work, helping people who can work to access support to do so. I was elected on a pledge to put the voices of disabled people at the heart of policy. A public consultation has been launched on many of the Government’s proposals, including changes to support for under 22s and a new Unemployment Insurance, as well as how those who may be impacted by changes to PIP can be supported. I urge any disabled person or representative organisation to contribute their views to this. I am confident that these changes will enable disabled people to live with dignity, while making sure the welfare system is sustainable in the long term. This is essential, above all, for the people who depend on it. Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue. Yours sincerely, MP Nesil Caliskan

Hi Charlotte

I'm sorry, we weren't able to reply to your post soon after you wrote it.

I hope that your assessment took place at the time they promised and went well.

BIS

Hi Rozm2004,
I think it is important to be honest. Maybe you should notify DWP of a change of address, and give the caravan address as your own. If anyone asks just say thst you moved to the caravan because it is level and you can't deal with the stairs any longer.
In the meantime I suspect that living in a caravan perhaps is not the best permanent solution. Perhaps you could ask the local authority for an assessment from Social Services. This woukd be via an OT to see if any grab rails etc would be of help. You may need your landlord's permission if you rent. Failing that if you do rent perhaps you can see if there is a house swap possible to allow you to change to a property with level access. There are also grants available and if you own your own property you may be eligible to receive help to enable you install equipment to help with your disabilities. Its certainly worth investigating what help/money could be available.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi ClaireLouC75,
To be fair I'm aware of the Job Centre helping but this was only once or twice, so I guess it is only a rare occurrence but can happen.
Indeed trying to contact DWP is a nightmare and takes a while at any time!
I hope this clarifies.
LL26

Hi I just wanted to ask about the mention of the Job Centre in relation to the initial call for claiming PIP. In my experience as a benefits adviser, Job Centres don't support with this; a PIP1 phone call can take quite some time, most of which is the time getting through and JCPs don't have any quicker number to get through to PIP on. Have you had experience of a JCP helping a client with a PIP1 call? Or have I misunderstood? I am genuinely interested, thanks

I wouldn’t be surprised if they are already training assessors on the so called tweaks that will see less points being awarded, those who are currently being reassessed are already receiving less points and much shorter awards , so they are reassessed shortly after the new rules are expected to come in. The government have had to make concessions but they have a track record no matter who’s is running the country of sleight of hand tactics. Give with one hand concessions then reduce number of points so you may not qualify for the rate you currently get, this is irrespective of your condition getting worse, we are already reading claimants accounts on this site.

Hi roadrunner,
There have been more developments today and the Government may have U-turned on PIP reform so no one knows what's happening!
A claim for PIP is made when you initially phone up DWP or possibly go through the Job Centre and they do it for you,-ie you phone and say you want to claim PIP. Then there's either a phone conversation about where you live, if you've been in hospital, etc to establish whether you can claim benefits in general, or occasionally you will get a form asking the sane questions to fill out, then you get the disability questionnaire asking about hiw yoy can or can't complete the various descriptor tasks. An assessment is then often held before DWP make their decision. If PIP is awarded ( unless there is some unusual reason otherwise) this will get backdated to the date of the initial phone call. Sometimes unfortunately the process can take several months, but the first phone call is the important date. So....if you feel you can claim PIP do it now, nothing is going to be changed anytime soon!
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi, any help would be so much appreciated. I know I've asked some of these questions before ( I think) but just double checking;

- I currently get ESA- the one from working all your life. I am not entitled to anything means tested.
- Is this payable indefinitely if your condition/ illness dosnt improve?
-How often is it likely to be reassessed? ( the assessor's report said they didn't expect any change for at least 2years if any)
I'm just trying to work out possible changes coming down the track. I read somewhere the changes proposed for Esa to turn into a temporary insurance is only applicable to new claimants and existing claimants arnt affected. Do you become a new claimants when reassessed? Or if they withdraw it and I challenge it etc.

- I also get PIP, and some of these questions are also wondering;
- if I was to lose my pip on my next assessment which would be due sometime in 2027- is a mr/ tribunal etc all counted as a new claim?
- if my condition was to improve and I was nolonger claiming pip and I was told relapse ( not likely but I can hope) would that then be counted as a new claim?
- Or is the fact i would already be in the system still counted as existing?

If there WCA is removed and the PIP assessment changed all in 2028 would be be assessed under the new 2028 assessment or keep the right to the existing assessment?
- if we do keep the right on paper to keep existing assessment would that not be very awkward for assessors to remember which criteria they're supposed to be using and lead to more mistakes. Pip being removed then I'm assuming you have to reapply as a new claimants?


Sorry for the 40 questions which probably make no sense and you probably don't have a crystal ball for half of them but just thought I'd ask anyway in hope.

Thank you.

Hi Kathryn,
That really good news!
Thanks for your kind words about B&W. It is always good to hear that our information is helpful.
And now breathe....and forget about reviews etc hopefully for quite a while....
LL26

Hi Kathryn

Many congratulations on your award - that's great to hear. Remember that although the review date is 2031 the review form can be sent out up to a year before that end date - so it could arrive in 2030.

BIS

Hi LL26

Thanks for your advice. I just spoke to someone at the DWP, who confirmed that, as it had been done as a paper based assessment, there wasn’t a PA3 or PA4, but he went on to tell me that my award is continuing at the current rate (higher rate for both daily living and mobility) and that the next review date is 2031.

I am incredibly relieved and incredibly grateful to Benefits and Work for the detailed guidance you provide. As advised in your PIP guide, I provided very detailed answers in my review form and also attached relevant medical evidence and it has resulted in a paper based assessment and a continuation of my award.


Many thanks to all
Kathryn

Hi

I have a 10 year award for daily living PIP because I am autistic. Since my claim I have been diagnosed with ADHD but I didn't report because I covered it in my original application so nothing to add really. However, I have now been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, NAFLD, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. I need more support and have thought about making a new application for a long time. I have been worried because I am also in the LCWRA on UC and I know I would have to tell them too and I was scared that would trigger a reassessment on UC. Another reason I haven't done is it I don't have the time and energy and it is so soul destroying.

I have helped countless other autistic people to get a full PIP award and for 10 years. I am confident I could do the same for myself if i could just make up my mind and set-aside time to do it but I am scared of doing it now and losing it before the changes. As it stands at the moment my review isn't due until 2029.

Any advice? I know it is not a straighforward question to ask.

PS. I did want to appeal the original decision because I thought I was entitled to low mobility and enhanced daily living, but I had a full-time job at the time and I was worried about losing the 10 year award.

Hi,

My PIP review telephone assessment was scheduled for 11am. They have just called me and she said that because they hadn’t already made contact she hadn’t been able to ‘prepare my case’ and so she will be calling me back in ‘around half an hour, maybe a bit longer’.

Anyone had this before? I’ve read stories about them lying that people didn’t attend when they did… also anyone know what preparing my case means? Is she just now reading through everything?

Sorry I’ve been so anxious all week and this has just made it worse 😩

What date is officially a PIP claim is it when you get an award decision? I ask as I am considering applying for PIP and concerned that I may not fall into the existing claims category. How long have I got before this bill is practiced? Thank you

Hi Kathryn,
There may not have bern any form of assessment Or alternatively, maybe an assessor did a paper review. If so, there might be a PA3 instead. It might be worthwhile phoning DWP and asking for a copy of any PA4 or PA3 and for them to confirm what if any assessment was done. Make a note of the conversation.
If there is no PA3 or 4, that's OK, but if DWP make an incorrect decision that you wish to appeal (Reconsideration and or subsequent tribunal,) then even if the PA3 ir 4 arrives after the decision is made and posted it is likely you will have it ready for making Reconsideration. If it arrives early and you haven't yet had the decision and you feel the comments in the form are incorrect, you might still be able to persuade DWP to ignore the form if you contact them immediately - this will work if DWP still haven't made the decision.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi Kathryn,
There may not have bern any form of assessment Or alternatively, maybe an assessor did a paper review. If so, there might be a PA3 instead. It might be worthwhile phoning DWP and asking for a copy of any PA4 or PA3 and for them to confirm what if any assessment was done. Make a note of the conversation.
If there is no PA3 or 4, that's OK, but if DWP make an incorrect decision that you wish to appeal (Reconsideration and or subsequent tribunal,) then even if the PA3 ir 4 arrives after the decision is made and posted it is likely you will have it ready for making Reconsideration. If it arrives early and you haven't yet had the decision and you feel the comments in the form are incorrect, you might still be able to persuade DWP to ignore the form if you contact them immediately - this will work if DWP still haven't made the decision.
I hope this helps.
LL26