PIP application

[Arcadian]

During my hospital MND MDT appointment, it was suggested I submit a PIP claim (apparently I should have done so for an unrelated lifelong illness years ago).

I checked the qualifying descriptors as I filled the form in, quick check with my local disibility charity support centre before submission (they feel I'll probably be assessed / have to appeal).
Also checked with the Neurologist Consultant's office and he doesn't feel DS1500 should be issued at present.
GP is 'onboard' forvany supporting correspondence.

Had a text today from 'Independent Assessment Services' (Atos) that they are managing my application and they will review the evidence and may contact me for an assessment appointment.

Will wait and see where this goes.

Any tips if a phonecall or face toface appointment?

I was going to have a note taker / McKenzie Friend with me and a voice recorder if I have to attend an assessment centre.

[Zante]

Arcadian On my first appointment with my mnd nurse she said straight from the start she wanted to do the DS1500 and I received my first payment within 14 days. I previously had the standard rate of PIP for a seperate disorder but I never had any assessments as my dr and a nurse I saw at the time wrote a letter I included in my claim, the Dwp then contacted my gp for a few questions. Hopefully with the additional medical evidence you wont need to be assessed.

[Hope]

Arcadian I was told at my diagnosis appointment that I should apply for PIP and a DS1500 was issued within a couple of days and I received my first payment about a week later. I did not have to be assessed.

[denise]

You should have your ds1500. That's the first think mnd nurse did with us. You need that for quite a few things dont take no for an answer. 😤

[Arcadian]

Cheers for the replies, it's been suggested from the Med professionals that it's not appropriate to issue DS1500 at this time.
Pretty sure the initial ambiguity in the first year of the MND diagnostic journey are now clear, as the hospital Consultant directly issued / prescribed Riluzole early last month.

My other lifelong / incurable illness and symptoms apparently qualify for PIP in their own right.

Apart from their checking up with GP and Consultants, unsure what 'additional evidence' to have apart from appointment and hospital procedure paperwork?

[Zante]

I included a letter with diagnosis and in the letter my medical professional wrote how the illness impacts my everyday life and how she felt pip was appropriate! She also wrote test results.

The more relevant information from medical people u can include the better. A decent detailed letter from them is a massive difference I felt because I was on the personal care pip for 9 years and didn't have 1 assessment due to what I put in with it and what they said when contacted.

you shouldn't be needing this extra worry and it's frustrating that some have the ds1500 and some don't for the same condition. X

[Arcadian]

I have three Consultant Neurologists and GP saying I have MND, but no paperwork or a letter to say so.

[Zante]

I asked my consultant for a letter stating the diagnosis as I needed this for applying for a old pension I had paid 8 years into from a previous employer. She sent me a very detailed letter which even stated she had explained to me mnd is a life limiting disease and future care plan referrals etc. Am sure your consultant would do this.

However the pension provider has now asked me for a letter from consultant stating why I would be unable to carry out everyday employment now and in the future!! I am too embarrassed to ask for another letter so have accepted I won't see my pension.

[Hope]

Arcadian I never saw my DS1500 form, it was sent straight to the DWP. My daughter phoned them on my behalf and answered a few questions. A few days later I received a letter confirming my payment.

Zante i tried to claim my pension but was refused because my letter of diagnosis did not confirm I may die within 12 months. I asked to appeal so they contacted my GP who has agreed to hold onto the form until such time that she is happy to confirm I may have less than a year to live. I too have accepted I possibly will never see my pension.

[Zante]

Hope there were 2 types of pension pay. The one was a lump sum which was only applicable if had less than 12 months. The other one was saying u had a serious illness and couldn't work and so u got a monthly pension pay. That was the option I had looked at with them.
I sent them so many letters from hospital. And even my care plan from mnd nurse. But they want it stated I won't be able to work in the future. Making it as difficult as they can it felt like. So gave up . Xx

[denise]

I don't see how anyone can state how long anyone has to live. Complications can set in. Has anyone having difficulties tried talking to mnd connect?

[MMG]

Pension providers and insurance companies do not accept a DS1500 as a valid document. In a recent conversation to complain that my husband wasn't "ill enough" to claim for terminal illness payout on a life insurance claim the chap I spoke to said that in his experience medical experts issue DS1500 forms willy nilly.

I asked how are we meant to confirm a terminal prognosis then anthe said that a medic has to write down how long they think you have left. So as far as I'm concerned it is impossible.

On a very small plus, they did backdate my husbands claim to the date of claim rather than the date he died, pity he didn't get to benefit from it though. I felt very disappointed by AVIVA's attitude but they insisted that they were NOT trying to wriggle out of paying out.

Our neurologist didn't respond to any requests for information from them to support our claim, not even to confirm diagnosis so that was a further disappointment which didn't help.

Good luck in your battles xxx

[WheelsOfSteel]

I'm having a similar experience to MMG above.
We too have a life insurance policy that pays out on diagnosis of terminal illness where the small print says "where the life expectancy is no greater than 12 months" (and right now I feel that could be a fair assessment ). Interesting to hear that your company backdated your claim to the date of the claim rather than the date of death (my condolences to you of course). That would work OK for us.

I did find that my DS1500 got the PIP and Blue Badge Parking applications nodded through immediately.

[MMG]

WheelsOfSteel they paid out 16 months after the claim. As a gesture of goodwill backdating the claim. The gesture wasn't really a good thing as the claim was on a level term policy.

I did make the point that a death certificate is the best evidence you can get of a terminal illness. I don't understand why a recognised document which is good enough for government departments isn't good enough for insurance / pension companies.

That said, the same company AVIVA did pay out with no argument on a critical illness claim on another policy with a copy hospital letter.

With all the issues you have going on an argument with a financial institution isn't really up there as a priority so I did give up until after he died.

Good luck with your claim. xxxxxxx

[Tabbycat]

Cheers for the replies, it's been suggested from the Med professionals that it's not appropriate to issue DS1500 at this time.

My Palliative care consultant said the same to me. As my MND was progressing relatively slowly and they could not state it would be less than 12-months.

I currently get full pip for mobility but not for daily living.

I am about to re-apply for full daily living as my function has reduced over the last 6-months and I am needing much more help from carers and family.