PIP Review

Am I right in thinking that PIP Reviews are generally paper based?

Thank you BIS.

I read this in the guide regarding the PIP Review.

“What happens after you return the form The Award Review form goes to a DWP case manager (decision maker) initially, rather than a health professional.

DWP guidance says the case manager “will compare the new information against the evidence from the previous assessment”. The case manager can also contact you or your carer for more information, but cannot send for more medical evidence.

If the case manager cannot make a decision, then all the information is forwarded to Independent Assessment Services or Capita for assessment by a health professional.

According to the DWP the health professional will have access to the Award Review form, any additional evidence obtained by the case manager and “all relevant medical evidence”. What is not clear is whether the most recent PIP 2 ‘How your disability affects you’ form must be consulted by the health professional.

The health professional will initially attempt to make their assessment solely on the papers. Only if that isn’t possible will you be required to attend a face-to-face assessment. A decision will then be made by a case manager in the normal way.

So, bear in mind when completing the Award Review form that your initial aim is initially to try to convince, not a health professional, but a DWP case manager that your evidence is sufficiently accurate and detailed for a decision to be made.”

I’m assuming I can request a paper-based review? Especially given my husband has Parkinson’s and Cognitive Impairment and the last f2f was deeply stressful for us both. It will be more so now.

Would they really do a face-to-face with someone who’s cognitive impairment score is indicative of dementia?

I’m so confused. I know there’s no logic to how the DWP operate but why would they bother sending out an Award Review (PIP 1043) asking what has changed, and then treat it exactly like the PIP2 form?

I’m going to phone the DWP and Capita tomorrow to seek their advice on having this done as a paper based review because when I spoke to them about my husband’s ESA50 assessment in 2019, they both agreed paperbased was best.

I’m guessing it will help to mention that under the DWP Severe Conditions Criteria my husband remained in the Support Group and his ESA reassessments were “switched off”. I’m hoping this will help.

My poor husband is beside himself at the thought of another f2f. We’re both terrified to be honest.