More hassle

[Pokermon]

Mum has just texted me to say I have to fill in a pip review form .I know mum has been dreading having to sort this out as the questions seem so silly and it's very hard to explain the help one needs sometimes but not all the time .Can I cook well I can put pitza in air fryer but usually forget about it once I sit down can't open jars as have no strenght so not sure if that counts on cooking .also it all depends on what has gone on before .mum disgribes me like a battery never fully charged and if I have used up all my power than no good to anyone .oh well what will be will be .

[SORRELHIPPO]

When I worked, I always used to advise people to put down how they were on their worst days. Also no good putting down that you can prepare a meal, if if takes over an hour and you are so tired and in so much pain, that you cannot eat it. It is so difficult, having to complete a form that requires so much negativity, when most of us want (and need) to be as positive as we can. If you have a Social Worker or an Occupational Therapist involved, they could help, I suggest you have a stiff brandy first.

[peege]

the answer to that one is NO, you can't cook!

[Karenanne61]

What a faff! It took two of us several days to fill in my form! I broke it down to just a couple of questions a day. I sort of dictated my answer to my husband then read and refined it. I found the govt help website usefull. As Sorrellhippo has said you have to be negative and put down your worst days. I think citizens advice can help, or direct you to someone who can. Good luck!

[sassy59]

Great replies Pokermon. Always put your worst day as that’s what really counts. Xx

[teddyd]

You have to fill it in based on the worst day you have ever had. If you are struggling you can get someone else to help. A welfare rights officer citizens advice (Cab) There is a knack to filling in forms.

[Bevvy]

There is a definite art to filling in the forms, even for a review. In light of what you have told us, the answer to can you cook a main meal, then the answer is no. The key is can you regularly, repetitively and safely carry out said activity.

Similarly since I retired I am proud of fact I can do a bit more in the kitchen. My go to is I now do homemade coleslaw. Much better than shop bought. LOL 😂 BUT it takes me all day to make and then clear up afterwards. People without disabilities could do this in 1/2hr! So this does not mean that I can actually do this activity, and lose points because of it.

CAB can help, even CAB website will give advice as to how to complete forms. Some councils have Money Advice Units who again can help with completion of forms.

[CDPO16]

If you have a copy of your original application, base your review on that adding any deterioration on the review form. Ensure you are the same or worse but not better in any aspect.

[Alberta56]

Lots of sensible advice here. I would go to the Cits Advice and take Mum for moral support if you must. Mums are quite good at saying 'No you can't do that' and generally bringing you down to earth when you're being over optimistic about what you can do. (I'm a Mum myself. My daughter could tell you a thing or two.) Good luck. I hope it will all be plain sailing. Mega sympathy about opening jar problems. I have to get my husband to do it. xxx

[eleanordigby]

I wouldn’t even try to fill that form in without help, and I had a job which involved a lot of form filling! They are looking for certain specific points and if you don’t cover them you’ll lose out. So definitely get advice, and as others have said, describe what you can do on your worst day

[Tryfan]

As an ex volunteer for Citizens Advice. Can't over emphasise go to CAB. Others have said to use your worse day not your best. Also, and this is the big one. The question that asks for name of someone who knows you best, you have to, I emphasise have to, use your GP, Specialist Nurse or Consultant in that order. Using a friend, relative or the post man will get you rejected.

[watergazer]

Hope you get it done. You have had lots of advice and mainly get help. X

[strongmouse]

You can write a diary page of what it is like for you to live with this illness. Perhaps you can get washed and dressed, but it takes you half an hour to shower, then you need to sit down for another half an hour and then you can get dressed, slowly sitting on the bed or a chair. You cannot do what an average person would do. Therefore you can't do it. I was told that if you can do something sometime but less than 50% of the time then it counts as you can't do it. Also you must be able to do something safely, in a reasonable time and repeatedly.

Same with cooking. If you can't prepare the food and cook it in the way the average person would but can say use a prepared meal and heat it up then no you can't cook. I find it helpful to say why I can't do something - short of breath, fatigue, pain in wrists, pain standing etc.

"Benefits and Work" website have some hugely useful information but it costs about £15 - £19 to subscribe for a year. Keep a copy of what you write in case you need it for later on.

Citizens Advice website all has useful information.