Are people still seeing people?

Please could I have the PIP template too!!

WFH since Tues, went into the office to get my client files - well what I could carry on the tube!

Found a free app for scanning & using Alto software to divert calls from work to my mobile. Fun times!!

2 appeals listed for 30 March & 02 April so will have to travel as clients want to attend.

Stay safe everyone!

For anyone trying to get to grips with skype for home working, these youtube videos may help -referenced in Lord Chief Justice’s message to judges yesterday -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WUe59-aWI8&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MpqcXAdx0k&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQpQEDYskrc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8xbgad2q_Q&feature=youtu.be

JP 007 - 19 March 2020 02:38 PM

I mean we Welfare Rights advisors personally may be limited by such things if we have to ‘self isolate’ irony never works in writing!

I was also attempting humour. Ah well.

Hi all,

I’m getting a few messages about the PIP template, as I say it’s just a quick word document but could save people time so if you’d like it message me, as I don’t get notifications on posts, feel free to share it around if it’s going to help out a bit.

I’m in the process of completing one for ESA over the weekend as I need to do this for a client, so will be happy to send this over too once it’s done; bit more difficult than PIP though!

Stay safe everyone,

Conor

ESA50 is already available online as a PDF for filling in (as is the equivalent UC50).

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/852353/esa-50-capability-for-work-questionnaire.PDF

If only this was available for PIP - would relieve cramped hands (mine) when seeing clients face to face.

csmk - 20 March 2020 11:05 AM

Hi all,

I’m getting a few messages about the PIP template, as I say it’s just a quick word document but could save people time so if you’d like it message me, as I don’t get notifications on posts, feel free to share it around if it’s going to help out a bit.

I’m in the process of completing one for ESA over the weekend as I need to do this for a client, so will be happy to send this over too once it’s done; bit more difficult than PIP though!

Stay safe everyone,

Conor

Brilliant ... cheers Conor ... if it’s helpful, and to save you fielding lots of individual messages, you can upload as an attachment when you make a forum post here ..

Cheers - Shawn

Ah thank you Shawn, I completely forgot I could do that!

Uploading my PIP template now, it will hopefully just save everyone a bit of time and it’s easily amended too.

Regarding the ESA template, there are forms available, but I’m not sure if the DWP need the dated one and my client is self-isolating, so thought I’d do one anyway just in case.

I’ll try and see if I can get some other basic templates done over the coming weeks as I have a lot of spare time now!

Completed template for ESA as well, not sure if it might be better just to download a form, but for dated forms, this could be used.

You are a star! Thanks Conor

JojoMitchell - 20 March 2020 12:51 PM

You are a star! Thanks Conor

Yay .. go Conor!

csmk - 20 March 2020 12:50 PM

Ah thank you Shawn, I completely forgot I could do that!

Uploading my PIP template now, it will hopefully just save everyone a bit of time and it’s easily amended too.

Regarding the ESA template, there are forms available, but I’m not sure if the DWP need the dated one and my client is self-isolating, so thought I’d do one anyway just in case.

I’ll try and see if I can get some other basic templates done over the coming weeks as I have a lot of spare time now!

This has also been pinging around Citizens Advice as a PIP form fill tool. Not used it myself yet, but in theory it prints off all shiny and neat.

https://digitalpip.lexisnexisrolfoundation.org/

Our solution to PIP forms and other forms is:

We will be doing these over the phone and handwriting the answers within the form  
We will add a note at the back to explain we have completed a blank version instead of doing a face to face appointment
We will send the form out for the client to sign
Ask them to attach the front page of the benefit form they have for completion with the sent/return date
Client to return to DWP in the freepost envelope

This is the note we will be adding to claim form: 
Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, this form was completed by a member of staff at the <service name> via telephone consultation with the claimant.  Please treat this claim as effective from **/**/***.

Worth a try!
If anyone has a better blank PIP form please share.

Mike Hughes - 18 March 2020 03:45 PM

I was thinking especially of the second one Shawn but a firm “yes” to both if you have the capacity as I’m sure like the rest of us you’ll be paddling rapidly below the surface just to give the appearance nothing has changed.

The second option strikes me as logically as in reality this is where we live online work wise so it makes sense to maybe expand (perhaps temporarily) with some caveats that might make the place require minimum administration/intervention e.g. no politics in an off-topic area.

One of the small number of other forums I haunt refers to such an area as the “Padded Cell”. Something like that would work :)

Now live: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewforum/43/

I am based in the Homeless Team - been working from home last Wednesday. Luckily we have not long been given laptops and new work mobiles. I hold 2 drop-in sessions per week so at the moment it is just home working, no face to face and just dealing with phone calls and emails. Seems to be working ok so far, just very busy with worried callers and me trying to keep up with daily changes!

I am giving customers links to Entitled to and Policy in Practice though and other DWP links to do a bit of work themselves whereas before I would give estimates and more handholding. Just can’t give that level of service at the moment. I was already snowed under with cases before the outbreak!! Hang on in there folk :-)