PIP Review Journey

Dear All,

I thought I would share my experience, as it unfolds, of my PIP review. I've always found it useful to hear the experience of others so hopefully some of you will find this informative.

First of all some background. I was a former DLA awardee whose PIP journey began in 2016 with an award, after face to face assessment, of 8 points for Daily Living and 10 points for Mobility. Whilst satisfied with the Daily Living outcome I felt that the Mobility award was incorrect and challenged this via first MR, no success, and finally appeal where I was awarded 12 points. It was a long and very winding road to get to that decision and I lost my Motability car as a result.

So now it's review time. The award was for four years and expires in July 2020. In January I received a text message from the DWP informing me that the review form was on its way and sure enough 7 days later it landed on the hall mat.

As nothing has really changed other than progressive deterioration I am expecting to be awarded the same as before however I know it's not that simple. The form has been filled in and sent off. It was much easier to do than the first one. I have kept it to the point and focused on what little has changed. Although I don't think I should have an assessment I expect to be given one. That's how the system works. According to anecdotal advice it could take 4-6 weeks for this to happen. I will update again when there is another development.

As the DWP had helpfully sent me a text to tell me that my review form was on its way I had hoped they would send me another to let me know it had arrived safely with them. But no. So I called them to check and was relieved to hear that they had got it. So now we continue to wait.

And then a text arrived! Only 11 working days after they received the form!! It's a standard one that says we've got it and you might need to go for an assessment.

So, six weeks after that text from the DWP saying they had received my PIP review form I decided to call them to see where we're at. They confirmed that I have to go for an assessment and offered me one for this afternoon in two hour's time! I declined this so they said, ok how about Sunday. So I have one for Sunday afternoon. Not much notice but maybe it's better that way? Still stressful though.