I had a phone call from (DWP?) today to arrange a PIP review. I have SPMS and use a wheelchair, have a daily carer who helps me out of bed and to get a shower and dresses me every day. I transferred from DLA to PIP last year. My question is why am I having a review so soon? Should I be worried about this? will they take my PIP away? I cannot wash my feet, put on socks, get dressed by myself and have to have my food cut up for me. Will they stop my PIP and say I have to get a job? The interview is next week, on Tuesday and now I am really worried. Can I have my carer attend too? Tracy
Hi Tracy.
Just been through the PIP assessment myself (today)!
I seem to be morphing towards SPMS from RRMS.
From my knowlege your carer would be allowed at the assessment with you.
It is a little strange that they have called you again so soon, but please don’t read too much into that!
I would say you have very little to fear except fear it’self!
There is no way they are going to try and make you get a job with your symptoms!
Keep positive!
And good luck!
Steve.
Hi Tracy When you were awarded PIP did it gave you a date that you award was up until? I was awarded until March 2016 but said on the award they will contact me after March 2015 to make I am receiving the correct benefit. Don’t know what means, if that will be an over the phone check or going for a medical. When you were switched to PIP did you go for a medical assessment before you were awarded? I have heard that on PIP that you will get reviewed regularly and could be sent to another medical if necessary. Polly x
I did not have a medical when my DLA changed to PIP and I cannot remember if the letter I received at the time gave a date. I understand why regular reviews are necessary because of fraud etc, but for chronic progressive diseases that you have no chance of recovery from why do they do this?
I have just sent my PIP form off, they say 26 weeks before i get any response. i don’t hold out much hope that i’ll get anything just based on my degenerative disc disease and balnce disorder. as the MS dx is still under investigation I assume they will delay decision until i have some sort of dx made.
Makes me cross, cant walk, cant work, yet I get then feeling this will not be enough. How is it some people get just about everything that the benefits system offers yet some of us who can prove we cannot work get the runaround and are under so much suspicion?
Looks like the only thing open to me now is ill health early retirement, bit i need a positive dx to get even that! You know what, all my life i didn’t pay attention to disability, I assumed it would never happen to me, how very wrong I was! I will never take my health for granted again!
I should go on a tv programme and say i don’t have enough to live on as beer and fags take up all my benefits, then maybe i’ll get everything like some of the population seem to do. Grrrr sorry, just angry, i have worked so very hard all my life, have done nothing to bring this illness on myself, but like loads of you guys, have to fight the system to get help. its just not right
Hi Tracy I don’t know why they do it as all the stress of it all doesn’t help us either, fingers crossed after your review you will be left alone for a longer period. I wasn’t diagnosed when I first applied as was told having a diagnosis wasn’t necessary as it’s based on your symptoms, day to day needs and the help you require so keep positive bunnythecat, after I applied I keep sending as much evidence as I got to help with my claim. Polly xx