PIP Question

Reading the comments below I just thought I’d add our experience for a bit of balance. My son was awarded PIP but his award runs out next year and I can’t say that I’m hopeful he’ll get it again as I think it just gets harder and harder to get PIP. But he did get it last time. My son does struggle a great deal though and he can’t for example catch a bus on his own, or talk to people, buy things in a shop on his own etc. When we applied last time it was upsetting to have to ask my son to focus in depth on all his difficulties - I think the application process is emotionally draining and can feel very demeaning and demoralising- but it’s been so helpful for my son to have PIP as it’s helped to enable him keep doing his education which is done online (as a family we can’t financially afford to completely support him from our own low income now he’s an adult). So we are very grateful that he got PIP - but very worried that we’ll soon have to go through the renewal process again. It’s just so stressful. I think the system is very hostile to engage with - and it’s failing neurodivergent people and people with mental health problems. 

At least your son got awarded it though. I struggle with going out alone, taking a bus or going for a walk and I always need company but my reason I failed is because I have my mum supporting me. When it comes to cooking I wasn’t able to cook anything but again their excuse was my mum could do for me. I don’t think these people care for mental illnesses, if anything I think they take advantage of the vulnerable. I am only speaking of my awful experience with them. Even the job centre I speak with have advised I should try again but I just haven’t got what it takes. I wish you all the best for next year!

I know they changed the mental health assessment part of PIP a few years ago (I didn't pay it much attention as I got PIP on physical health problems), a couple of years later PIP was in the news again with politicians complaining that the cost of PIP had gone up as there were lots of people with mental health problems getting PIP.

Therefore I would also advise re-applying especially since PIP is supposed to be based not on what support you get, but what support you need especially if when you last applied it was more targeted at those with physical disabilities.

Every time I have had someone visit for an assessment they have always recorded garbage and clearly didn't believe anything I said, but when I appealed I still got the PIP.

If the money would make a substantial difference to your quality of life it might be worth going through the horrible experience, then appealing and possibly having to wait a few months - also every time I apply, I make a copy of the form I send, so that when I re-apply I can copy most of it from the last form adding in any changes and even if I have had to appeal it has so far worked out OK, I just wish I didn't have to redo it every few years.

Ahh ok fair enough. Thank you ️ anyway 

Elfilis , to the best of my knowledge it is not possible to e-mail the DWP. Also, I've had enough dealings with the DWP to know that it can take a while for to receive letters from them. 

Ahh ok thank you for the advice! I’ve ended up shedding and binning all my PIP letters and notes etc but I had got rejected back in early 2023. I also didn’t know that my mum could speak on my behalf either but despite how jittery and panicky I sounded they said I was fine, ironic seeing as my accent was hard to understand. Do you know if I’d be able to do all the forms in email instead of post? Because they took their time sending the forms out by post and when I got rejected it took the forms ages to tell me “no” and I only had a week to appeal when I should have had longer. I might try talking with citizens advice again. I’ll have to see. 

Ahh ok thank you for the advice! I’ve ended up shedding and binning all my PIP letters and notes etc but I had got rejected back in early 2023. I also didn’t know that my mum could speak on my behalf either but despite how jittery and panicky I sounded they said I was fine, ironic seeing as my accent was hard to understand. Do you know if I’d be able to do all the forms in email instead of post? Because they took their time sending the forms out by post and when I got rejected it took the forms ages to tell me “no” and I only had a week to appeal when I should have had longer. I might try talking with citizens advice again. I’ll have to see. 

Ahh ok fair enough. Thank you ️ anyway 

Elfilis , to the best of my knowledge it is not possible to e-mail the DWP. Also, I've had enough dealings with the DWP to know that it can take a while for to receive letters from them.