1.13.8 If there are changes to the descriptor choice, the HP should complete clerical form PA6 to highlight the evidence used to support any changes and provide full justification for their choice. It's not based on the condition you're in or the medication you're taking. You will need to contact the assessment provider and request a home assessment. 1.15.32 Personal information held by the DWP is regarded as confidential. 1.1.5 Claimants currently make an application for PIP by phone and once basic entitlement conditions are established, the claimant is asked to complete the How your disability affects you questionnaire, referred to in this guide as the claimant questionnaire. 25p per mile) to help towards fuel. PIP eligibility. After that, the people in charge would see if you are eligible or not to get PIP. In these cases, it may be particularly important to distinguish between what a young person can or could do for themselves and what the parent does for them as part of their caring role. In a reasonable time: Does it take you a lot longer to do the activity than it would take most people? The HP must explain to the claimant that they are going to carry out a functional examination but that it will be different from the clinical examination they might get at their GP's surgery. Therefore, consent to inform the GP of the unexpected finding should be obtained from the claimant. PIP telephone assessment. For urgent help, please see Help & contacts. That's why benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can make such a difference. He reported that bending would cause pain or worsening of his symptoms so movement of the spine was not assessed. 1.3.8 APs should seek additional evidence from professionals involved in supporting claimants where HPs feel that would help inform their advice. 1.6.51 If the claimant is uncooperative during a consultation, the HP may terminate the consultation where they have gathered sufficient evidence to complete the assessment report and provide advice for the CM. You can search for your State Pension age on the GOV.UK website.You must also have the following requirements: There are exceptions to the eligibility rules when you have a terminal sickness or have been serving the armed forces. How are gambling and mental health conditions linked? 14K PIP, DLA, and AA; 3.4K Universal Credit (UC) 5.5K Talk about your impairment; 1.6K Cerebral palsy; 768 Chronic pain and pain management; 59 Physical and neurological impairments; 963 Autism and neurodiversity; 1K Mental health and wellbeing; 309 Sensory impairments; 753 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions 1.1.6 Once the claimant questionnaire has been returned to DWP, in cases where an assessment is required by a Health Professional (HP), the case is referred to an assessment provider (AP) along with any supporting evidence provided. 1.7.5 If the claimant states that they are nearing the end of life when applying for PIP, they will be advised by the DWP to obtain form DS1500 from their GP, consultant or specialist nurse. If this is not feasible for example, if the consultation is carried out in the claimant's own home the HP should make a note of the circumstances and carry out such assessment as they can while the claimant is sitting or standing. 1.6.34 The HPs informal observations will also help check the consistency of evidence on the claimant's functional ability. The documents will then be available to be viewed via the claimants record in the PIP Assessment Tool (PIPAT) and/or the PIP Computer System (PIPCS), 1.3.3 Once this has been completed, the case will be referred via the PIPCS to the appropriate AP for them to complete on the PIPAT or clerically as appropriate, 1.3.4 The PIPAT allows the AP to give advice to DWP in an electronic format. Where cognitive difficulties are a common symptom of a relevant condition, these should be assessed. There are several things to remember during your PIP assessment. 1.6.44 If an area of function is examined, the HP must record all findings in the assessment report, even if function is found to be normal. However, it should be noted that the named appointee, be this a corporate or individual appointee, can nominate another person to represent them at any consultation. There are still many people who have yet to move from DLA to PIP, and some of these would be better off moving voluntarily, rather than waiting to be moved by the DWP. If you suffer from a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, it's possible to be eligible forPIP, but it's very much dependent on how the mental illness affects you. This will also indicate the assessment centre that you will be assigned to take your PIP assessment with questions on mental health. 1.12.2 Some claimants may have a Personal Acting Body (PAB) such as: A PAB is a person formally nominated to act on their behalf, who will ensure that the claimant is supported throughout the process. Where the claim has been made by a third party, the HP should contact the third party, rather than the claimant as the claimant may not be aware of their prognosis. 1.6.50 HPs should be ready to terminate consultations at any point should they become too stressful for the claimant. Where the AR1 has not been completed and returned, the claim will be sent to the AP who should attempt to contact the claimant and arrange an assessment. A bit about my claim: Eating disorder for 15 years (I have come to simply exist with the daily behaviour of an ED and haven't had any recent treatment in years, so little recent evidence on this . having considered all the information and evidence of the case, produce a report for DWP containing information on the claimants circumstances and recommendations on the assessment criteria. Daisy2016 Forumite. However, a 60 year old with other multiple pathologies who loses the lower leg because of complications due to diabetes is more likely to struggle. However, in cases of doubt HPs may be asked for advice, based on their knowledge of the disabling effects of physical and mental health conditions and considering the evidence of the case. However, the companions may play an active role in helping claimants answer questions where the claimant or HP wishes them to do so. The HP should still make enquiries to clarify whether the person meets the Special Rules criteria and return the assessment report to the DWP with any supporting evidence, stating whether the claimant is terminally ill under the prescribed definition. You should check for yes if you have one of the following conditions: This is another sample PIP assessment question on mental health: Are you unable to go out because of severe anxiety or distress?YesNoSometimes. 1.14.5 Considerations that the HP should make include, but are not limited to: whether the claimant has a condition which is likely to have fluctuations in the functional effects over time, whether the claimant has a condition which is likely to have sequelae which cause deterioration or fluctuation of function, whether the condition is the same condition but with a different diagnostic label - for example mitral valve disease / mitral stenosis, whether the original diagnosis has been amended but the underlying impairment and functional effects remain the same for example bronchial asthma in the past but now suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is substantially the same condition, whether the same condition is present and responsible for the functional effects but deterioration has occurred due to a second condition. The health professional will use this time to listen to you about some aspects of your condition when you are engaging in daily activities in life. You will be required to talk about how your condition affects you despite detailing it in your PIP form. This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-1-the-assessment-process. Your assessment centre might ask you for a letter from your doctor or other evidence that you need an alternative location for your assessment. Exceptionally, an appointee may also feature where a claimant is physically, but not mentally impaired, for example, if they have had a stroke which has resulted in a significant impact on their functional ability. Once you have completed and sent your PIP form back to the DWP, you will receive a letter acknowledging they have got your claim. However, the companions may play an active role in helping claimants answer questions where the claimant or HP wishes them to do so. Ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one. Luxury Homes for Sale in Sannois, le De France, France With regard to requests for personal information, APs should: only ask for what they need, and should not collect too much or irrelevant information, protect it, storing both clerical and electronic information securely, ensure that only staff who need to have access to the personal data in order to undertake their work should have access, not keep it longer than the required retention period and periodically review the data you hold and erase and anonymise when no longer required, not make personal information available for commercial use without the claimants permission. 1.7.33 Occasionally, the HP will encounter a case where the contents of the DS1500 reveal that the author has completely misunderstood its purpose; for example, where there is no implication that the claimant is suffering from a terminal illness. 1.6.41 Some examinations for example, of the lower limbs might be carried out with the claimant reclining on an examination couch. 1.9.6 If there is more than one relevant functional condition, the prognosis should take account of the effects of all conditions and the added impairment resulting from any interactions that may occur. Personal independence payment (PIP) is the disability benefit for working age people, replacing disability living allowance (DLA). Firstly, we should start by assessing what evidence we can provide to the assessor and Decision Maker at the initial claim stage to assist them in making the correct decision. Where an appointee has been nominated to represent the claimant, the claimant must not be instructed to attend a consultation by the AP. Most people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be asked to attend a PIP assessment with a healthcare professional. Etc They should also provide advice on the mobility component based on the evidence received with the referral and/or gathered at the consultation. The damning report conducted by the Public. 1.13.7 HPs should use clerical form PA5 to provide supplementary advice that does not affect the descriptor choices or advice on prognosis in the original report. Can I cancel something I've done when I'm unwell? Please contact the DWP on 0800 121 4433 or textphone 0800 121 4493. However, HPs should consider the type and context of certain medications, for example use of depot antipsychotic injections in psychotic disorders. Should the AR1 be subsequently received by the DWP, it will be tasked to the document received work queue for the appropriate AP. For all incoming calls the callers identity must be verified. You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if all of the following apply to you: It is not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. PIP assessment guide part 1: the assessment process - GOV.UK 1.15.21 If the claimant has a deputy then that means they have lost capacity. If you plan to travel by car, you can claim back the cost of parking and a price per mile (e.g. These occasions are expected to be rare. If you say you came alone on the train, theyll make a note that you can travel alone on public transport. At every stage of the proceedings the claimant should be advised as to what is going to happen and agree to it happening. 1.6.1 In the majority of cases, a consultation will be necessary to accurately assess the claimants functional ability. 1.15.12 It is good practice to check that there is valid consent every time further evidence is sought. He was awarded the daily living component and mobility component at the standard rates. In such cases the claimant may not be able to give an accurate account of their health condition or impairment, through a lack of insight or unrealistic expectations of their own ability. 1.15.17 Where a claimant has an appointee, this will be flagged in the initial referral to the AP. The advice should fully justify why the claim is being treated under the SREL process. if so, which of the descriptors in the mobility activities set out in the assessment criteria are likely to be relevant to the claimant. Report: Once your PIP assessment with questions on mental health has finished, these health professionals will make a report discussing which PIP descriptors apply to you and elaborate on their reasoning. Mental Health & Money Advice. In addition, variability in a condition may suggest findings which initially seem inconsistent. The duty of confidentiality continues after the death of an individual to whom that duty is owed. 1.10.6 The following are illustrative examples of review periods which may be appropriate: 12 month review The claimant has a combination of physical and mental health conditions causing significant functional limitation. If the claimant attends on their own then the assessment can go ahead if the claimant has capacity. 1.6.10 Throughout the consultation, HPs should be evaluating what they are being told and checking whether the evidence is consistent. They later changed the award because they looked into everybody's claim as they felt they hadn't been properly awarded and I . Preparing for your PIP assessment - Citizens Advice Severity of a mental health condition does not necessarily correspond with the type or dosage of medication that the claimant is receiving. Feb 3, 2021. 1.9.9 After the CM has decided on their chosen descriptors and determined entitlement, they must select the most appropriate award type and duration. this is a walk through of what happened in my recent telephone pip ( personal independent payment) assessment review and what questions been asked and how . You can state your needs here with regards to your debilitating condition. What are my options for dealing with debt? The assessment considers the overall impact of a claimants health condition or impairment on their functional ability, rather than focusing on a particular diagnosis. In such cases it will be essential to get an accurate account from the companion. Always explain how doing something would make you feel afterwards and the impact it can have on you if you had to do it repeatedly in a short period. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. 1.11.5 DWP CMs will undertake paper-based award reviews in cases which contain the additional support (AS) marker and where the AR1 has been completed by the claimant and returned to DWP. PIP sits alongside support provided by the NHS and local authorities and is not meant to duplicate that support. What is the PIP medical assessment? : Mental Health & Money Advice Well enough: For instance, you may be able to prepare and cook a meal, but you will not be able to eat it if it is deemed undercooked. PIP telephone assessment | Page 2 | Mental Health Forum If you take someone with you to the assessment, they can also claim travel expenses if they travel with you. The horror stories are, if anything, even worse than they were in May of this year. 1.2.2 The key elements of the HPs role in PIP are to: consider information in the claimant questionnaire and any supporting evidence provided along with it, determine whether a claim can be assessed on the basis of a paper review and provide appropriate advice, determine whether any additional evidence needs to be gathered from health or other professionals supporting the claimant. Can I claim Welfare Benefits if Im living with a mental illness? 1.15.24 If GPs, consultants and doctors request proof of consent they should be reminded of the GMCs advice. PIP Phone Assessment - My Experience - She Might Be Loved 1.10.5 The HP should clearly outline their reasons for selecting the no review required option using the free text box for example, the claimants level of functional ability is stable and will not improve or deteriorate in the long term or the claimant is due to undergo surgery and it is likely they will no longer experience their current functional limitations in X months.. We are a friendly, safe community supporting each other's mental health 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Failure to provide this may result in the advice being returned for clarification or rework. 1.6.73 When considering a request for a home consultation, HPs should consider: whether the claimant has a medical condition that either precludes them from travelling, or makes it extremely difficult for them to travel. If the information is available, the CM will transcribe the decision and any justification, word for word, into the medical evidence screen of the PIPCS. If they refuse, you can complain to the assessment centre, DWP, or ask your M.P. 1.7.10 SREL referrals will not contain the claimant questionnaire due to the need to process claims quickly. When weighing up the evidence, it is important to highlight any contradictions and any evidence that does not sufficiently reflect the claimants health condition or impairment or the effect on their daily life. For example: She states she has no problems with speech, hearing, or vision. You are most welcome to join today! The entitlement threshold for each component is 8 points for the standard rate and 12 points for the enhanced rate. 1.6.6 When speaking with a claimant, the HP should: introduce themselves to the claimant and, if accompanied, their companion, explain the purpose of the assessment and what it entails the HP should make clear to the claimant that the assessment is not a medical which involves diagnosis and treatment of their disability or condition. However, some relevant information about the claimants circumstances will be gathered during the initial claim stage and supplied to the AP. Not sure how it will work with me talking rather than the person as only they can describe their day to day difficulties. Where a claimant has a PAB they would not be classified as requiring additional support from DWP. 59% of people said that the assessor did seem to have read their form She both reassured us that she had and also seemed to understand what has been written in the form. It is essential that the HPs advice considers the details given by the claimant and the companion and whether one or both are understating or overstating the needs. These times have reduced significantly from the peak in July 2014 (42 . This may be enough to enable the HP to gather further medical evidence or advise whether the claimant satisfies the criteria for SREL. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. 1.8.11 All evidence must be interpreted and evaluated using medical reasoning, considering the circumstances of the case and the expected impact on the claimants daily living and/or mobility. The PIP decision timescale (How long does it take?) - OptimistMinds Assessor's preparation In general, assessors seem to have taken the time to read the claimant's PIP2 form in advance. 1.4.15 Where necessary, HPs may seek further information from claimants by telephone. HPs will not liaise directly with CMs, but will liaise with DWP service assurance managers (SAMs) where the CMs have queries, for example: seeking additional advice either based on current advice or because further evidence has been submitted. This includes, but is not limited to, reassessment of existing DLA claims and PIP claims where an agreed award review point is reached or fresh evidence received, rework requests in relation to assessment reports. Helps you take control of your household spending. PIP INVESTIGATION: Assessment reports show widespread dishonesty by The PIP medical assessment consists of several parts and will last on average, 60 minutes: Discussion and questions: The Health Professional will ask you questions about how your health affects your everyday life. If you miss your assessment, the DWP will contact you asking you to explain why. Medical Evidence GP Informal observations are of importance to the consultation, as they can reveal abilities and limitations not mentioned in the claimant questionnaire, supporting evidence or during the history taking for the consultation. routinely contact GPs of people with mental health problems claiming PIP. During the coronavirus pandemic, medical assessments have been taking place via telephone or video call. How to prepare for a PIP assessment - over the phone and - BristolLive HPs should allow a companion to contribute and should record any evidence they provide. If the unexpected finding is of a life-threatening nature, they should seek the claimant's consent to telephone the GP or call an ambulance if appropriate. Requests for advice through the PIPCS should be responded to using clerical forms PA5 or PA6. This question in the PIP assessment with questions one mental health means that you find it hard to do the following: This question shows that the DWP is interested in knowing about how you deal with the long and short journeys that you will be going to buy some groceries or other necessities. 1.9.3 Where a condition can fluctuate significantly over a period of time consideration should be given as to when a review would be appropriate. 1.8.4 For each activity area, the HP should use evidence to choose one descriptor which best reflects the claimant's ability to carry out an activity, taking into account whether they need to use aids or appliances and whether they need help from another person or an assistance dog.