Thankyou PIP success

With the help of the guides and advice on here, my transfer from DLA to PIP went pretty smoothly I would say.
So thankyou .

A few pointers that maybe of help ......
From start to finish it took 16 weeks, from the initial form filling to receiving the award. This is way to long and to stressful for many .

I had a few appointments with my consultant and specialist nurse already booked so asked if I may use their details as a point of contact at the appointments.

I completed all the forms myself and submitted lots of hospital reports, and also even though it said not to include appointment letters, I included a few and highlighted the dates just to show my ongoing care . I also typed every answer on a separate sheet of paper and included as much information as I could. I also highlighted all relevant information on the hospital letters with a highlighter pen , just so your eye was drawn to these bits of information. If this was useful I have no idea, but it was worth a go lol !

I had my first face to face, I never had one for DLA or Essa ....I never asked for a home visit but received one. It wasnt as bad as I expected , the lady was polite and pretty informal ....BUT on receiving her report their were some errors.
She seemed to focus on the fact I wheeled myself to the door in my wheelchair, so every question relating to using or getting help for say, cutting up food or lifting heavy pans was met with the same response on her form.....I must have good strength, agility etc as i can use a manual wheelchair and propel myself without aids. ....this continued on the form on every question relating to dexterity or help in the kitchen, bathroom, toilet needs etc.....obviously this was wrong, propelling yourself 6 feet to the door and back holds little relation to propelling yourself half a mile to the supermarket !

She also focused on the medication I take and spent a long time going through every tablet and what it does and what it's for and the side effects etc.....this was then used on her report to substantiate certain things, like for instance ...." he says he has trouble sleeping because of spasms in his lower body, and due to the medication prescribed this could be troublesome for him " .......that sort of thing .

Although it says PIP has little to do with a diagnoses and more to do with the help you need, her report completely disregarded an as yet undiagnosed mental problem as I haven't been seen by anyone yet due to long waiting lists. So any question I answered and included information about this problem was met with the same reply " as no medical team are in place and no counselling has taken place then this should be disregarded " ....or words to that affect.

Also a lot was placed on the aids used and the help from other people. Even simple aids like grab rails were noted .

She never asked to look around my home and I actually offered to let her see the adaptations to access and lowered kitchen tops etc....this was noted in her report.

She was a nurse and not a physiotherapist. The examination she gave me consisted of holding my arms outstretched, raising them above my head and pinching her fingers with mine. This again was all noted on her report .

I waited 3 days after her visit then rang the DWP for a copy of the report, they said it could take 10 days but I received it within 3 days.
I then rang them every 4 days even though i was told i didnt have to ring and my case was still being looked at .....I just felt like being a pain to them !!......I received confirmation of my award when I rang them, and then postal confirmation 14 days later which seemed a long time .

I hope the above may be of use to someone....cant wait for the ESSA review which I am due anytime lol !!

Thanks again for your guidance and the brilliant guides.