Hi Capyboppy,
Yes six months is a ridiculous time for an award, in effect 6 whole months of peace.
Actually, by the time you get the decision letter, more like a full five months of peace.
The first thing I thought of was it feels more like an exrension to the current award, not a new one.
The only things in favour of the claimant is they might as well keep all the piles of letters, papers, foms etc out handy for next time. It's hardly worth putting them away.
On second thoughts, no! Put all the stuff away. It'll be so fresh in the mind that they can fill the next form out from memory without refering to the paperwork.
Regards,
Phrank.