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PIP/ESA
10 years 6 months ago #126286 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP/ESA
Mathew
I always struggle to answer posts when members are seeking re-assurance about their claims, all we have available to us is what the they post on the forum, with no idea of how complete or accurate their descriptions are
All I can say to you is that PIP was designed to take into account the difficulties claimants have with everyday functions when they suffer from mental health issues and we have numerous examples on the forum where awards have been made on this basis, however, I will not suggest that it is easy to get an award, because it is not.
A home assessment is a recognition that you would have problems getting to an assessment centre so it is a good start, but you will still have work to do on the day, if you have a look at the PIP Claim guide, there is a section towards the back that deals with the assessment process.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
As to your ESA renewal, given the lead time I would park any thoughts about it until you have a Decision on your PIP. You should expect a new ESA50 to be issued about two months before the re-assessment date, if you can acquire up to date medical evidence towards the middle of next year then this will be an advantage. There is no harm in investigating the availability of an advisor to help you complete the form, but I have to warn you with the removal of funding to this area I think you will struggle to find someone available at the time you need them to be. Also, they can only complete the form as well as you are able to describe your problems and they will only have a limited availability for you to do this, this raises the possibility that it is not completed to the level you might need it to be.
Gordon
I always struggle to answer posts when members are seeking re-assurance about their claims, all we have available to us is what the they post on the forum, with no idea of how complete or accurate their descriptions are
All I can say to you is that PIP was designed to take into account the difficulties claimants have with everyday functions when they suffer from mental health issues and we have numerous examples on the forum where awards have been made on this basis, however, I will not suggest that it is easy to get an award, because it is not.
A home assessment is a recognition that you would have problems getting to an assessment centre so it is a good start, but you will still have work to do on the day, if you have a look at the PIP Claim guide, there is a section towards the back that deals with the assessment process.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
As to your ESA renewal, given the lead time I would park any thoughts about it until you have a Decision on your PIP. You should expect a new ESA50 to be issued about two months before the re-assessment date, if you can acquire up to date medical evidence towards the middle of next year then this will be an advantage. There is no harm in investigating the availability of an advisor to help you complete the form, but I have to warn you with the removal of funding to this area I think you will struggle to find someone available at the time you need them to be. Also, they can only complete the form as well as you are able to describe your problems and they will only have a limited availability for you to do this, this raises the possibility that it is not completed to the level you might need it to be.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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