I had DLA when I was younger changed doctor and DLA stopped. Should I re apply due to my heart condition being worse ?

[Piggy2]

When I was young I was entitled to DLA now known as pip, I changed doctors and never got any sick lines to say so the DLA stopped. This was when i.was in my early 20's I'm now 45 worse heart condition and pacemaker fitted, some elements of ptsd so should I re aply to see if I can get it.

[AyrshireK]

Personal Independence Payment isn't based on what your diagnosis is but how the condition affects you on a daily basis and how it affects your ability to carry out a number of daily living tasks (Washing & Dressing, Eating & Drinking, Managing Toilet Need, Managing Finances, Communication, Understanding Information, Managing your condition and such like) and two mobility descriptors - being able to navigate and follow a journey independently and physically being able to mobilize.

The form is a pain to fill in and it is advisable to go to someone like Citizen's Advice Bureau or Council Welfare Rights teams for help filling it in. There are certain buzz words and terms like safely, reliably and as often as necessary that need to go in there in order to score the points. I use the online guides from a website called Benefits and Work to do my husbands claims (hubby has advanced auto immune liver related illness which affects his cognitive function mainly).

The website has brilliant step by step member only guides which you can access for a small annual subscription fee - they also advise on other benefits too. benefitsandwork.co.uk/

We had a battle first time round for PIP - he scored zero at the face to face assessment and the report submitted by assessor was lies from start to finish. He was finally awarded Enhanced Daily Living at appeal tribunal. At subsequent renewals he has gone up to Enhanced Daily Living plus Basic Rate Mobility.

I would read up on the various descriptors, even the .gov website had a self calculator to see if you think you would qualify. gov.uk/pip

It's just a stressful process but worth doing and fighting all the way to a 'win' if you are eligible.

Best wishes, Katie

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to AyrshireK]

I agree with all of your comments AyrshireK

I used the Benefits and works website you recommended.

I have a PIP. I was recently reassessed and my benefit increased! I was amazed that they actually took my PTSD into account along with my heart condition

I have enhanced for both sections with no review for 10 years.

Applying for my PIP was the most challenging things I have ever had to go through.

Don't get me going about my thoughts of the DWP...

[AyrshireK in reply to Milkfairy]

Hubbies awards have all be 2 or 3 years in duration. 4 times in 8 years we've had to go through the procedure as if there is a miracle cure for cirrhosis of the liver - he had the zero score assessment the week before he was put on the liver transplant list.

Another thing to remember - this to original poster - make sure YOU submit reports or supporting letters from your doctors. The last thing that DWP will do is actually go in search of evidence that supports your claim, it's up to you to PROVE your condition. It is harder for them to argue with consultants letters (though they still will). Appeal tribunal though will look positively on proof from your medical team.

Katie

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to AyrshireK]

I was lucky I got my first award for 4 years. I had an angina attack during my face to face assessment.

I drowned the DWP in paperwork during my last review. I sent in 48 clinic letters, 6 hospital inpatient summaries covering the 4 year period from my prior award.

[AyrshireK in reply to Milkfairy]

Hubbies first award was three years but seeing as it had been two years in the processing it was less than a year before we were on the merry go round again. Agree - I hit them with every clinic and assessment report too. Last review was decided on paper (thankfully) - just this week posted review form off again (current claim ends in July).

Always on tenterhooks with them and their damn brown envelopes. Hangs over you like a shadow of doom till you get a result letter.

Katie

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to AyrshireK]

I wish you the very best of luck.

[Piggy2 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thankyou Katie

[Modeller3]

Hi piggy2 I aplayed for pip in December and still wating

For answer ,you can all but try good luck

[Qualipop]

You lose nothing by trying but be warned, it is a nightmare now; nothing like applying for DLA. Read the advice below especially about the Benefits and Work website and collect s much evidence as you can. I sent 11 pages of extra doctors reports and two full pages listing the doctors I'd seen. It's based on points scoring and if you use the wrong words to describe something you get no points. I've been severely disabled for 20 years with a spine condition and I did get higher rate for both but only by one point. I haven't bothered to tell them about additional heart disease. It wouldn't gain anything and they could even reduce it or stop it completely.

[Hidden]

Hi with pip if you have not applied in the last 6 mths, then you can, just fill in and see what they say.

[Glasgowgirl1947]

To say they are a shower of "bar stewards" is putting it mildly, but you should bite the bullet and get help to fill it in, don't forget to tell them about the medication you take too. I got a fright the other day when a letter came to say I was transferred from DLA to PIP I was fuming until my husband pointed out it was indefinite as my DLAhad been but looking at the criteria I shouldn't have been changed as I will be 73 in May and was older than 64 in the required year! Anyhoo I don't intend to rock the boat at present by requesting any changes to my claim! Good luck with your claim let us know how you get on and don't give in to them!