PIP Result!

I find it daunting to assemble evidence and fill in forms relating to benefits, so I was quite miserable when in June 2024 I was told my PIP claim was up for review. Anyway, I read through all the relevant guidance from Benefits & Work, forced myself to complete the form, and asked my overworked doctor, specialist and support workers to provide supporting statements.

Months went by. I occasionally received letters from the PIP administrators that my review was still in progress. Meanwhile Kier Starmer and his Cabinet talked about saving money on benefits, particularly PIP. Things weren't looking good, and I began to wonder if the DWP could slash my claim and demand a refund! Well, cross that bridge when we come to it.

My walking was becoming worse and in April 2025, with my official retirement date approaching, I thought it would be worth asking for the mobility component. I rang the PIP helpline and requested a change of circumstances form, but was told it wasn't possible to submit one while my review was still ongoing !

Anyway, I decided to write to the DWP about my deteriorating condition, together with more supporting letters from my healthcare professionals. I didn't receive any acknowledgement, just the occasional letter to say that my review was still not concluded.

Imagine my amazement one day in August 2025 when I looked in my bank account, to check whether I was overdrawn, and found instead that a large (to me) sum of money had been paid into it from the DWP. After I double-checked to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I concluded that it must be from the conclusion of my PIP review. A few days later I did indeed receive a letter from the DWP stating that my review was finished and that I had been awarded the enhanced rates for both daily living and mobility. I really can't express what a surprise and a relief this is. Even though it took 15 months!

Huge thanks to Benefits & Work for their professionalism and positivity in providing information and encouragement to those of us who have to claim social security. And I hope the successful outcome of my review will inspire other people to make the effort to claim what they are entitled to, and not to give in to hopelessness or discouragement.