PIP

[Angevins]

Hi, I'm new to sending messages so please bear with me. Since having Covid all my previous health conditions have deteriorated but especially my COPD. I need more help to do things. I am on the lower rate PIP (which was a nightmare to claim) how do I apply for more help. Hoping someone can answer this, thanks.

[Badbessie]

First of all keep a diary of all day to day activities which you need help with and the reason why? Keep notes on what makes you short of breath. This can be anything from walking a given distance to bathing or even combing your hair. If you can get help to fill out your forms, I found AgeUK very good. When you have gathered any medical evidence then ring PIP and inform them of the deterioration in your condition ( change of circumstances).You should get a new assessment to fill in. Treat it as a completely new application giving as much detail as possible. Fill the form in as if it is your worse day. They will ask you how far you can walk etc. Be honest. For example I can walk a fair distance but can only do it once. If I try to do it again then it becomes too painful. In your case you may be able to walk a fair distance but need to stop every 20 yards due to shortness of breath.

When answering questions you may find yourself repeating the same things again and again. For example if you get short of breath showering it would seem obvious to most people you would get short of breath going up stairs or carrying bags but PIP being PIP they will treat every question separately.

Remember there is no such thing as too much information. If you run out of space you can add extra sheets of paper to the forms but make sure you put your name, national insurance number and date at the top.

[Angevins in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks for the advice.

[Bevvy]

You need to contact DWP who will probably send review forms for you to complete. I think it’s really important to get assistance to complete the forms. CAB may help or if your council may have a money advice unit and they can be extremely helpful. Otherwise the CAB website has advice on completing the forms or a site called workandbenefits.co.uk has information guides. You have to pay to join them about £20 per year but can be worth it.

One slight warning. Remember they will review it and a person will read the forms and you will probably have another telephone or face to face assessment. Following this they may decide you no-longer meet the criteria! In which case you will need to go to appeals process. This is why it’s so important to complete forms with as much insight as to “how to complete the forms” as possible.

I don’t want to worry you but you need to be aware it happens. It can also be a good thing as you hope. On my last review my mobility money was increased to enhanced and I feel I was (unlike many experiences) fairly and compassionately throughout.

[tomc in reply to Bevvy]

Good luck, I hope you get sorted out with another claim.

[Angevins in reply to tomc]

Thanks.

[Davegt in reply to tomc]

You do NOT need to pay for benefit advice. Taking money off those who can least afford it is shameful. Citizens Advice or Age Concern are two organisations that spring to mind.

[Angevins in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks for the advice. Will bear it mind.

[Alberta56]

Can only repeat what the others have said. Get help from some knowledgeable body. My autistic daughter got help from a lady at Mencap for a successful appeal. (They don't just deal with learning difficulties these days). CAB and Age UK are both good. Perhaps some one will have other suggestions. Good luck, and, if you get turned down, Appeal.

[Tykelady]

I agree with Badbessie that Age UK will do all they can to help benefit claimants. I would never even have considered claiming until they suggested it and was pleasantly surprised when I received help. Of course if you are not pension age Citizens Advice might be the place to go. Good luck.

[tavymaid]

I have just put a claim in today for P.I.P, so very scary. Hope you get extra help.

[Debs_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hi Angevins

Some great advice from our members.

Some benefits are not particularly easy to claim and it is advisable to get help completing the forms from the CAB specialist financial advisors. You can find your local CAB contact number here-

citizensadvice.org.uk/about...

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

You can also read about other benefits that are available on our website link below.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Best wishes

Debs