hi everyone. I have been thinking about going for pip but I don't know if its a good idea.since Easter Sunday my heart condition has got worse. I am now on bisoprolol, atorvastatin, asprin and I have a gtn spray. I have been having alot of chest pain and breathlessness when doing anything. my gp has referred me to the chest pain clinic. at the moment I feel a bit house bound. I cant even walk up my stairs at home. my therapist has told me that I have ptsd and they can't continue my therapy until my gp gives them the go ahead.
what I am worried about is the stress of trying for pip. I would assume they will want to talk to me. just thinking about makes me anxious.
the extra money would help me to may be get a scooter and help with getting good foods to help me lose the weight I need to lose and get healthy. but is it worth it especially with the reforms that could be coming.
so thats why I ask the question. is it worth it?
any advise would be great.
thanks.
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Spedyrecovry50
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I applied for PIP for my daughter. It took a few days to understand everything and get any documentation together, then about two hours to fill in the form. There was a telephone interview where a doctor spoke to my daughter. It was simple for her to understand. Then the claim was turned down.
Went to Citizens Advice, they talked me through how to appeal. The appeal was turned down. Again, I had help from Citizens Advice and challenged this. Within three days the full claim was allowed.
So yes it will take time and energy, but my daughter got her money and it was backdated to when we first applied six months previously.
You say you need money for good foods, but if you eat foods you personally prepare like fresh veg and fruit, this might be cheaper and certainly healthier than manufactured food, since you don’t contribute to the manufacturer’s profits.
The website of the British Heart Foundation has a lot of simple recipes.
In my experience everyone is turned down first time, but will succeed second time around.
Citizens advice bureau is there to help you get your entitlement. Nothing more, just your entitlement.
It might help you to face your problems rationally.
Ignore the talk about what might happen next year or the year after that. Apply for it and use the current opportunity.
I pay a lot in taxes on my income and I am very happy for some of that to be shared to those that need it. So please take your share and improve your life a little.
First time I was given an enhanced award for mobility and standard for daily living for four years.
On my review a few years later I was given enhanced for both sections indefinitely.
I suggest you get help to fill the form in. There is an art in how to fill the form in using the appropriate words to describe how your ill health effects your daily life.
It took me several days to fill in as I had to pace myself. Mental stress is another of my triggers for angina.
I gathered all my clinic letters, discharge summaries, test results and prescriptions together before sending for the PIP form.
I took a copy of my form which helped when I reapplied.
Even though I was successful first time without having to ask for a mandatory review or appeal, the whole process is not straightforward
I had my interview conducted at home. It was stressful and I ended up having severe angina. The interview had to be stopped.
I ended in hospital with unstable angina soon afterwards.
I used this organisation to help me. They charge a small fee.
Yes go for it but get help with the form filling I applied for it before I had my heart attack found the whole process very stressful then as got turned down at every stage in the end took them to tribunal and won after 18 months of trying don't think I could go through all that stress now with my dodgy heart good luck if you do decide to apply.
Pip is difficult to get,even my hubby had trouble and he had cancer,go through citizens advice as they can help with forms and if 1st attempt fails please ask them to try again,they did this for hubby and we got it
If you are thinking PIP then go for it straight away! I'll tell you why, in my experience fully qualified people have been turned down and several are now in second, third stages of appeal!
I had similar experience to Milkfairy and found that the sort materials from Benfits and Work were really helpful - I suggest you see their site and get their info etc before you start, then you can be prepared
completing the form properly is a slow and draining process as you need to answer each question from the point of view of a bad day - do not overestimate what you can manage, that's what they encourage (to make it easier to turn you down) - focus on what you can't do regularly, repeatedly, reliably and/or safely - you also need to keep stating what you can't do in each section, ticking the boxes is not enough
expect to be turned down at first, 85 % are initially rejected automatically , so be prepared to push through to the next stage
they give you a time limit for the application even though they regularly breach their own deadlines - so you need to do your preparation thoroughly
also completed the form in stages with tests and/or a treat at intervals to help you through
let us know how you go and you can always ask for help with specific points here
you have better chance of PIP if you got letters, medical diagnoses with dates and appointments records file it up in order then send it into DWP special recorded delivery tracked and signed for as proof it’s got to be worth the risk anything is better than nothing.
I do voluntary work helping people to apply for PIP and to appeal when they are turned down -- almost everyone is turned down on the first attempt. The advice here is good, including the advice to get help from somewhere such as Citizens Advice or Benefits and Work.
The DWP does not make it easy, and they will absolutely want to interview you at length about your condition. If you cannot face travelling to an interview, you may request to be interviewed at home or by telephone or video. You may ask a family member or friend to be with you for support during the interview, but be aware that it may run several hours late; you can be hanging around for quite a while waiting for the call.
Provide medical evidence. This means letters stating your diagnosis and discussing your condition. Appointment letters do not count. If you can face it, order a printed copy of your medical records from your GP and highlight everything relevant.
Sometimes the assessors overlook information and you have to remind them of what's in your records. They also draw incorrect conclusions, for example, they may focus on one activity you don't struggle with and insist that if you can do that one activity, you can do them all. Be prepared to point out false assumptions and false equivalences. Assessors may have limited relevant training, e.g. a physiotherapist may assess a mental health claim. Do not assume that they have any qualifications in the medical conditions you have.
The questions are all about functionality: how does your condition affect your daily life? Do you need help to prepare food, to wash or dress, to do your shopping, to plan a journey to an unfamiliar place? If your condition affects your mental health, do you struggle to engage with other people, or with motivation to carry out daily activities (do you stay in your pyjamas all day because it doesn't matter)? Can you walk 100m without an aid or stopping to rest? 50m? 20m? Make sure that your answers respond to these very specifically.
Your ability to carry out activities is judged on whether you can do them SAFELY, RELIABLY, REPEATEDLY, IN GOOD TIME AND TO AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD. If you have good days and bad days, these words make it clear what the difference is: on a good day you will be able to do things safely, reliably, etc. that you cannot do on bad days. Use these words in your answers.
Staying focused on the questions will help get you the award, even if the first assessor rejects you. If this happens the first time, you can immediately ask them for 'mandatory reconsideration', which just asks them to look at your evidence more carefully and reconsider. If they still reject you, that is when you appeal to a tribunal.
Sometimes, if someone has been rejected despite having a solid case, the DWP phones at the last minute before the tribunal hearing and offers a settlement, usually for the lower level of PIP. Many people accept a lower level award to avoid the stress of going to court -- this is your choice. You are allowed to take someone with you to the tribunal for moral support.
It is essential to take a copy of every document before you send it to the DWP, and send the completed application package by recorded delivery so that you can prove they received it.
If you are only 50, you can take your time to decide. Under present DWP rules, you cannot apply for PIP after reaching retirement/state pension age. You would then have to apply for Attendance Allowance instead. But that is still years away for you.
You are the only one who can decide if it's worth applying, whether you can cope with the stress (it is stressful) in order to get the income. Even if the DWP turn you down twice, you have the right to apply to a tribunal, and tribunals are independent of the DWP. There is no guarantee that you would win, but it is known that around 70% of appeals at tribunal are successful.
thanks for all the information and advise. I am talking to my cardiologist next week. they seam to be rushing things through. not sure if that's a good sign or not. the reason I am not very keen on trying for pip is because in 2009 I had tried to get dla 4 times. I don't think I was as bad then but on the 4th time they sent out a doctor. she came and had a look at me. she ask me to walk in my front room. I thought it was weird at the time. she didn't check my heart or take my blood pressure. I was told I had no points or not enough. when I got the report she said I didn't have any sign of osteoarthritis when I walked. I was very angry because I never said I had that at any point. I appealed. they said the doctors word was final and that was it. the stress nearly put me in hospital.
in 2012 atos wanted to interview me about what esa I would go into. I began to get very stressed. I told my doctor who contacted them to say I couldn't do the interview as I might have a heart attack. they phoned me and said I would lose my benefits if I didn't. the night before the interview I was very stressed and had chest pain. I had it all night. in the morning I saw my gp and had an ecg. while having the ecg I had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. my doctor phoned atos to say I couldn't go to the interview because I was in hospital after having a heart attack. they put me straight into the support group.
because of these two things that have happened and the ptsd that I am dealing with. this is why I don't really want to go through it again. but I am struggling to go out because of my heart problems. if I had a scooter it would enable me to go out and not worry about over doing it. but what I would have to go through to get it. I am not sure its worth it. so I sit in my house. hiding.
PIP decisions are made oh now much your condition prevents you from living a normal life and doing things "repeatedly and without pain". It is worth applying but expect to be turned down at first and having to appeal. You don't speak to anyone until you get to he appeal stage then it could be in person or online or by ph one. If you decide to apply I can't recommend too much joining the benefits and work website. There's a small charge but it's so well worth it. They have guides that tell you how to phrase things, how to answer questions, what words to use. I've seen desperate people f ail just because they didn't answer in detail eg can you get upstairs. They say yes but hey don't say they crawl up on hands an d knees, have to stop several times and when they do get up they can't breathe and have to sit down for 20 minutes to recover. Add as much information as you can. IN my last application I had 11 extra pages of answers that didn't fit the little boxes all cross referenced back plus 3 pages of consultant details and doctors who had done tests. It's a lot of w ork and can be upsetting when you realise just what you can no longer do but if you qualify then you should apply.
I always think it's refused at the first hurdle so that people will get fed up and not appeal.
that’s great! The key is to have as many bits of evidence, doctor’s reports etc, as you can and a statement from someone who knows you. Phone to register application, your sister can do it with you there, takes a few minutes then they send you the form. Apologies if you already know this
I was first told in 1988 to apply for DLA as it was as I was disabled . I was turned down because of no diagnosis for my neurological condition. With my husband's helped tried again in 1992 after seeing the top neurologicist in the country as he told I was disabled and couldn't work. He said he couldn't tell me after a week's testing using all the tests available at the time what was wrong. But what I hadn't got. But got turned down again because of no diagnosis. Even though both my neurologist and GP supported my claim .
Bear with I will get to the point. When my husband was terminal we where told to claim DLA and carers allowance in 2003. My husband had a question on the form and when the woman he spoke to asked how long he had been given 4 months to 2 years she said no point applying as you have years and put the phone down on him .. Our McMillan nurse filled in the forms and said she was sick of every new patient she had to fill in the forms because of the xxxxxxx DWP . When she should spend all her time with her patients. My husband died live 4 months . He died 4 days after his 47th birthday. In 2004.
I tried a few years later still same answer no diagnosis.
When my mom lived with me the last 18 months of her life she had cancer and dementia I was only allowed 6 months carers allowance because I was told my mom would get better 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 she was 90 when she died in 2017.
2022 after moving over 100 miles to the north west in 2019. My neurologist sent my blood to have my whole genome genetically tested in 2020 but because of Covid he didn't get the results until March of 2022 and sent my an appointment for April saying he knew what I born with. So I asked for the PIP forms on 7th March 2022. My daughter filled in all the forms as the tremors in my hands make writing difficult we had an extension until the 20th April to get the form back until I had my letter with my diagnosis from my neurologist.
I sent 45 letters from my GP, neurologist and cardiologist as I have PAF and a hole in the side of my heart I was also born with.
Had a phone assessment but knew the woman didn't listen to me . PIP decision gave me zero on everything. I asked for MRN the lazy 🤬🤬🤬 who sent her decision copied the original decision just put the sentences in a different order.
I go to a craft group and we had a new member she told me about the Brain Charity who helped me . They got me a solicitor pro bono by then this was July 2022. My solicitor asked me to get a copy of the assessment report it took me 2 days to go through the 23 pages marking everything that was wrong and writing an email at the same time pointing out what it was wrong and the correct information. Only page without an error was the last page where the woman had signed it and put how long it took to write the report 38 minutes. My assessment took hour and 46 minutes because I timed it.
My solicitor applied for PIP tribunal. I finally got my hearing in 29th August 2023. It's called a tribunal but really it's a court. A real judge ,doctor and either a disabled person or someone who works with the disabled is on it. I was lucky the man was disabled. A support worker from the Brain Charity went with me . Which helped me as it was frightening. But the panel couldn't have been kinder. The judge explained exactly what would happen it was almost recorded but he managed notes as well. The doctor had all my neurologists letters in front of him plus asking about how my PAF effects me. The disabled man asked very probing questions which I answered including something I had never admitted to anyone apart from my husband . But I answered him and he said he had the same problem. And now I can admit to people about it.
The hearing should take a hour but after 50 mins they said they had everything thing they needed . And to wait outside. We didn't wait 10 mins and they had us in I was awarded enhanced PIP for living and enhanced PIP for mobility indefinitely and back dated until the day I asked for the forms. The judge apologised to me for how I had been treated for years.
I had a copy for the tribunals decision a few days later they gave me 13 points for living and 12 for mobility.
Whilst waiting for the tribunal my solicitor said because how little savings I had to apply for universal credit which I did. Had my interview at the job centre and my caseworker couldn't have been kinder she said phone appointments in future as she wasn't having me struggling in and she was going to send for the UC health forms ( can't remember the exact name of it ). The friend from craft group filled in the forms for me. I could have had a phone assessment but after my PIP one I asked for a face to face assessment. Took months but the woman I saw was lovely and was awarded it and back dated until the date my caseworker asked for the form. The UC people treated me as a human being unlike the PIP people who are soulless robots .
It took me 35 years of fighting to get disability benefits.
My advice to you is get the forms but get help from BHF or citizens advice to fill in the forms and make sure you have all letters from GP, cardiologist and any other consultant you have seen already photo copied .
I am now 66 so UC has stopped but have full state pension,PIP and thanks to citizens advice get some pension credit every 4 weeks . My late husband worked for 30 years and paid lot of NI contributions and from them I get 48p a week . Yes 48p per week.
Applying for PIP is a nightmare but if you get the help I suggested with the forms hopefully you get it but if not go to tribunal. Also once pension age get help and apply for pension credit.
I know this is a ramble but this is what happened to me .
thanks for all your advise and replies. it means alot. I spoke to the rapid access chest pain clinic nurse yesterday. she told me I have atypical angina. that I am to take it easy and not get stressed. I was going to go to my local hub for help with pip. my mobility is next to nothing. I am nearly house bound. a scooter would make a huge difference at the moment. but the stress involved i fear would do more damage. so I have decided to wait. I have a ct scan coming soon. so I can see whats going on but for now I will have to put things on hold.
update.went to my local hub. it was very hard but I have completed the form and sent it off today. they where very helpful and filled it in for me. but I did have a couple of bad attacks after. I am worried about what comes next but I need the help.
update.just got a pip letter. I have an assessment on the 28th. the letter says I have to talk. this is causing me alot of anxiety. I know I can have someone with me but talking to them on the phone is difficult at the best of times.
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