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@Doug Sewell Age uk can arrange local help or refer to other services for support with dwp forms, just in case you need any further support.  Your GP service may also have someone who can refer you to the right place, for that or any other services you might need.

@Andy Andy, I'm not sure whether the following information will help: My daughters extended award ends in December. I called the DWP a couple of weeks ago, (for an update - as we had not even received an acknowledgement for the Review Paperwork - posted back in February '23), I was told that her case was 'in the queue' and that they were sending out automatic further extensions 5 weeks before award end dates - on that information, I suggest that you contact them, as, on the above information you should have received an extension letter at least 3 weeks ago? 

@Teff A con, by any other name!

@Teff Yes. It's called TUPE. 

@grw If you go to citizens advice they can help you fill in your forms. Take all your old forms to help you remember what you put, even if they are the old ones they should still contain info you may need.

@grw You really don't have to be scared, you are already on the right site. Please please join Benefits and Work if you haven't already done so. I've been a member for 17 years and I don't know what I'd do without them. Their help will make so make all the difference to how your assessments will turn out, believe me. Do get the help of Citizens Advice too. I wish you well Gail. 

@grw Your local  are should have a citizens advicde centre  should be able tto hellp flill out forms . Omly thing book a slot to see them well in advance. Good luck 

@TwistedWitch Agree Mark, I am an appointee for my Daughter. We asked CAB to represent us on a case against Housing Benefit. I provided the man with all my evidence (clear cut case) which he didn't send to the Judge in time, so it was thrown out of court. Had I represented myself I would have won my case. This is the only time I relied on a third party. Luckily I have learned a valuable lesson. Happily I still have the energy to fight PIP for her rights. She has been disabled for 19 years up to this year she has been handled as a new applicant every time. We are awaing a decision on her review this time. There has been no mention of an assessment as yet, but is has to be face to face if it happens.

@grw Citizens advice they helped me fill in the forms for PIP! They where great and supporting to me, just ring them up and say exactly what you have said here and they will give you an appointment on the phone.. I'm in the same boat mine runs till 2025 and 8m scared for the future I don't know what I would have done without  citizens advice 2 years ago, they go through all of the form with you and are understanding and patient. X please ring them so you're not so scared anymore, it's horrible

@Prisca Furlong I have SAID THIS SINCE I FIRST PERSONALLY BECOMING AWAREOF THE SYSTEM in around the late 90s. Morally it is wrong on many levels, and oft makes liars and criminals out of the applicant, and their GP, or anyone who is supportive of the person. And as you said, why a two tiered system that costs money that could be used to help people, not persecute them? And how can someone know a person's health better than a GP, who is meant to be conversant in holistic health, and who has oft known a patient and their family for a long time, whereas as many of the new assessors are not former GPs, but mental heath nurses, and physiotherapists; so not only constrained by their lack of education and type of work experience, but by the short time limit on a one-off assessment. More importantly, you then have the criminalisation of the sick as scroungers, liars and thieves, and leeches on society, an attitude that stems from the Govt, political crooks, rich elite, and some of the the tax-paying working 'class' who have an axe to grind due to their general unhappiness in working for a living and having to pay taxes, rather than being grateful for an opportunity to work, an opportunity that many disabled would graciously cherish. And sadly, many of the assessors imbue these evil vibes, and proceed to castigate themselves and these other evil bigots by persecuting the sick, who are oft ill as they are victims of the same woes and abusers in society. A glance around the world only tells me what a tragic end will fall upon humanity soon, we never learn how to treat our fellow men respectfully; but nowhere have I seen such soul sickness and corruption as in the malicious treatment of the disabled in this country, to which my life experiences are limited. And the many duplicitous assessors are above the law, so cannot be challenged in a court of law, remarkable, but if an applicant errs even slightly, they are persecuted and criminalised...quite naturally...FOR IT EASES THE CONCIENCE OF THOSE WHO APPLY A SYSTEM OF ABUSE.  

@ANt I've probably missed something somewhere but will someone in receipt of PIP but not an out of work benefits have to even undergo WCA?  Isn't this update telling us who will conduct the tests not that the tests themselves will be merging?  I didn't think there was any indication that people on PIP and not on out of work benefits would be subjected to WCA as well as or instead of their PIP assessment?   The above answer has got me concerned, as someone who's retired early because of poor health and is in receipt of PIP but not out of work benefits that I'll have to undergo the WCA - surely there is some confusion in this answer to Paul's question?  PIP is paid in order to meet the additional costs of disability whilst ESA and UC are based working age people not having enough income through unemployment, under-employment or sickness.  Please someone reassure me that they are not putting people in possibly completely different situations to go through the same test (although I understand there are areas in the two tests that are similar).

@Paul if you get PIP you could get fitnotes from your doctor and go for the WCA assessment  even if you work over 16 hours, and if you pass then you get the work allowance so depending on other income or a partner that works you may be entitled to UC

@Paul The company will change, so some of their policies might. 

@Paul You will be fine. When your pip is up for review it might just be a different company doing the assessment but everything will still be the same for you. You don't need to worry:)

@axwy62 It used to be called the job centre… here is a fact: If you go in there looking for a job they are quick to respond but as soon as they know you are not claiming any benefits they will call over their security goons to forcibly evict you from the job centre. 

@The Dog Mother Very True and succinctly put.

@The Dog Mother In any other workplace, someone who got 70% of their decisions overturned at appeal would have been sacked years ago, the fact that they haven't just proves that the Government (and it was labour when the WCA was introduced) aren't interested in fair assessments, just getting as many people off benefits as they can.

@The Dog mother Ha! 
I suppose it depends on your aim. To save money, or to punish people...

@lesley Yes  they were claiming for tagging people even though were dead.

@lesley Yes, they run a lot if the prison services, including the prison trucks that transport prisoners...

@Suusi M-B That’s so worrying, they are not to be trusted surely 

@lesley Serco to pay £23m after Serious Fraud Office probe into MoJ electronic tagging scandal.

They should have been banned from bidding for any further Government contracts and have had all existing ones terminated.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/serco-to-pay-23m-after-serious-fraud-office-probe-into-moj-electronic-tagging-scandal

@Stephen My PIP renewal is due Feb 2024 and I've had no paperwork through yet . Should I be worried?

@Debbiedryland they assess you sooner so the decision will be in place for the end of your award

@flo1 My Son's renewal was due July 2024. We received the renewal pack which had to be returned by 8th September 2023. 10 months early. They can shave quite a lot of time off award lengths with this method.

@flo1 I'm due for PIP assessment in Oct '24.
But the DWP decided to reassess me in July of this year. Well, I had to send the form in August. 

The rules only apply to us, not to the DWP. 

@Stephen How do you know ‘for a fact’?  Please reply with evidence.  

@kevin davies meet the new boss,same as the old boss

@LJM It's just 'ATOS' Under a new name and the same profit/ bonus making setup. With so called Healthcare professionals. 

@LJM Terrifying they will hold more personal information with their track record 

@MrFibro new providor same old biased system no change there then

@MrFibro Yes, that's completely  correct, Serco will be no better than any of the others.....