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Pip renewal assessment
- MicheleP
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7 hours 19 minutes ago #312847 by MicheleP
Pip renewal assessment was created by MicheleP
Hello
I have suffered from depression and anxiety for at least 40 years, possibly more (because of childhood trauma).
In 2018 I was diagnosed with Fybromyalgia, which explained a lot of other symptoms that were happening more and more throughout several years prior to 2019.
I also have sciatica, migraine, and dyslexia.......
In 2022 i was awarded enhanced pip (for both elements) for a period of 3 years. In February 2025 I had to fill in my pip renewal assessment. My actual renewal date was October 2025, so filling it in early was an unexpected worry, but I did it anyway. At the date of renewal I was told by text that I may need to be assessed again.
Its now March 2026. I'm still waiting for the reassessment they said they 'may' have to do. I get the occasional text message and had a letter stating they would continue to pay my pip until I have the reassessment.
I don't know what is different from the first award I had in 2022, but Fybromyalgia is not a 'visible or consistent ' illness. Some days i am full of energy, getting things done that the day before I simply couldn't contemplate doing. Because of the uncertainty and potential loss of my car (we live in rural Wales, and the nearest bus stop is 2 miles away, but I couldn't walk 2 miles anyway, so may as well be non-existent), my depression and anxiety, along with my migraines, has been almost out of control since being told I may need a new assessment.
I am so worried about this. I have seen my doctor several times because of the headaches and because I'm so worried.
Is anyone else going through this? I feel so alone....
I have suffered from depression and anxiety for at least 40 years, possibly more (because of childhood trauma).
In 2018 I was diagnosed with Fybromyalgia, which explained a lot of other symptoms that were happening more and more throughout several years prior to 2019.
I also have sciatica, migraine, and dyslexia.......
In 2022 i was awarded enhanced pip (for both elements) for a period of 3 years. In February 2025 I had to fill in my pip renewal assessment. My actual renewal date was October 2025, so filling it in early was an unexpected worry, but I did it anyway. At the date of renewal I was told by text that I may need to be assessed again.
Its now March 2026. I'm still waiting for the reassessment they said they 'may' have to do. I get the occasional text message and had a letter stating they would continue to pay my pip until I have the reassessment.
I don't know what is different from the first award I had in 2022, but Fybromyalgia is not a 'visible or consistent ' illness. Some days i am full of energy, getting things done that the day before I simply couldn't contemplate doing. Because of the uncertainty and potential loss of my car (we live in rural Wales, and the nearest bus stop is 2 miles away, but I couldn't walk 2 miles anyway, so may as well be non-existent), my depression and anxiety, along with my migraines, has been almost out of control since being told I may need a new assessment.
I am so worried about this. I have seen my doctor several times because of the headaches and because I'm so worried.
Is anyone else going through this? I feel so alone....
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- BIS
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1 hour 33 minutes ago #312853 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Pip renewal assessment
Hi MicheleP
I'm sorry that this is causing you such distress. You are certainly not alone. There are many people going through a similar situation. I realise that doesn't really help if you live alone and have no one else to talk to about this.
Regarding when your review form was sent to you. Your PIP renewal date was October 25. Review forms are typically sent out up to a year before the end date, so there is time to process them before an award comes to an end. So your form was sent out in February 2025 - and therefore it was not early - it was within the parameters of the PIP system.
I get that it felt early to you, and despite when it was sent, they still haven't processed it. I'm afraid the delay you are experiencing is quite common as well. You do hear of some people's reviews being processed quickly, but there are plenty of people whose reviews are not. Unfortunately, yours has not been done - but at least you know that yours is still in the system waiting to be finished, and you are still being paid. I'm afraid that means that you will just have to sit it out. I can't give you any idea of when you might hear.
The comment "you may have to be reassessed" is a standard comment that the DWP uses in one of their text messages, so it has nothing to do with you per se. The majority of people receive it. In fact everyone gets reassessed - because they either have a telephone, video, face-to-face or paper-based assessment. The people who have paper-based assessments often think they haven't been assessed because they have had no contact with a health professional, but they have - it's just a different method.
I'm sure you want to know whether or not they will do a paper-based review. I can't tell you. I can only tell you that about thirty per cent of claimants get a paper-based review. i know you said that you don't know what is different from 2022 when you had your last award. I can tell you they wanted to see if anything had changed, which is why they gave you a three-year award, which is on the shorter side. The DWP is notorious for ignoring long-term conditions. Again, this isn't about you. Award lengths overall have become shorter.
It's no good for me to say to you - try not to worry about it - because I know you're terrified - but unfortunately, I can't tell you anything that will make you feel better while you're waiting to hear. I wish I could. But do come back and ask if you have any questions, and we will try to answer them.
BIS
I'm sorry that this is causing you such distress. You are certainly not alone. There are many people going through a similar situation. I realise that doesn't really help if you live alone and have no one else to talk to about this.
Regarding when your review form was sent to you. Your PIP renewal date was October 25. Review forms are typically sent out up to a year before the end date, so there is time to process them before an award comes to an end. So your form was sent out in February 2025 - and therefore it was not early - it was within the parameters of the PIP system.
I get that it felt early to you, and despite when it was sent, they still haven't processed it. I'm afraid the delay you are experiencing is quite common as well. You do hear of some people's reviews being processed quickly, but there are plenty of people whose reviews are not. Unfortunately, yours has not been done - but at least you know that yours is still in the system waiting to be finished, and you are still being paid. I'm afraid that means that you will just have to sit it out. I can't give you any idea of when you might hear.
The comment "you may have to be reassessed" is a standard comment that the DWP uses in one of their text messages, so it has nothing to do with you per se. The majority of people receive it. In fact everyone gets reassessed - because they either have a telephone, video, face-to-face or paper-based assessment. The people who have paper-based assessments often think they haven't been assessed because they have had no contact with a health professional, but they have - it's just a different method.
I'm sure you want to know whether or not they will do a paper-based review. I can't tell you. I can only tell you that about thirty per cent of claimants get a paper-based review. i know you said that you don't know what is different from 2022 when you had your last award. I can tell you they wanted to see if anything had changed, which is why they gave you a three-year award, which is on the shorter side. The DWP is notorious for ignoring long-term conditions. Again, this isn't about you. Award lengths overall have become shorter.
It's no good for me to say to you - try not to worry about it - because I know you're terrified - but unfortunately, I can't tell you anything that will make you feel better while you're waiting to hear. I wish I could. But do come back and ask if you have any questions, and we will try to answer them.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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