P.I.P advice.

[Jacksc06]

Due to work becoming more tiring and being back on chemo. I am considering applying for pip so I can reduce my hours. I have applied twice in the past but was awarded zero points. Would very much appreciate any advice from those in the uk regarding this. Many thanks.

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi Jack,

You’ll be aware what a ‘mare of a form it is to complete so seek help in maximising your responses. Some CAB’s will help.

If you’ve been turned down twice with zero points, you need to assess carefully what you believe has changed functionally with you since that time. In terms of daily living tasks, it’s hard to argue that you need help with personal care tasks when you have a reasonably physical job requiring you to assist others. However, it’s worth a try and always appeal because a significant proportion are successful. It’s not the nature of the condition but the way it affects you that gains this benefit and the assessors are pretty tough these days.

To help you gauge whether you might qualify, it might help to do your own PIP eligibility assessment using this tool;

benefitsandwork.co.uk/perso...

Best wishes but also discuss with a welfare benefits advisor whether there are any other entitlements you may qualify for and have missed.

Newdawn

[Jacksc06 in reply to Newdawn]

Thank you.

[Ghounds]

Macmillan have benefits advisers, also worth getting your GP and nurse specialist on board as the DWP are likely to contact them for information.

Good luck!

[Jacksc06 in reply to Ghounds]

Thank you

[Livingwith67 in reply to Jacksc06]

Our local hospital has a MacMillan stand and that’s where I met with a benefit advisor to run through eligibility, he was linked to citizens advice. He checked eligibility for all types of help including pip, definitely worth a chat.

sorry you’re feeling challenged by work, I had to take a few months out whilst first having treatment, and change my job role to a less physical position.

Here’s hoping you get the help you need from both sides

[SofiaDeo]

Good Luck with this. In the US we often have to apply several times for a disability accommodation before it gets approved. You've been ill and emotionally stressed since you first applied, see if you can get help in house or in other ways if you can't reduce your work hours. As this disease drains us, as well as age related changes, we simply can't accomplish the same over time and need some sort of help.

[Jacksc06]

Many thanks

[olyocl]

My age means that I am not eligible for PIP but twice I had to cancel holidays and my specialist nurse did all the forms for me and said if there was anything else she could help me with I was to let her know. I feel very fortunate to have her, she is one special lady. I understand it is different circumstances to yours. Hope you get some help.

Best wishes Olive

[Jacksc06 in reply to olyocl]

Thank you Olive.

[Sepsur]

have a look at this video of Clare Cully talking through how to claim PIP - I decided to claim after seeing this and got it during treatment.

Ignore first 7 mins it’s just introductions.

cc-sn.org/bb-law-video

[Jacksc06 in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you.

[Sepsur in reply to Jacksc06]

If you don’t get it - reapply & then appeal. Some of us don’t qualify of course but what you do have to do is always describe your worst day not how we all describe our best day & underplay it

[Racing1961]

Hi Jacksc06, I applied for PIP a few years ago when I was on Chemo and also got zero points. I think you have to be more or less dead to qualify.

I have heard that you need to appeal but I didn’t bother going down that route. Luckily I received full sick pay from work and went back within 6 months.

Good luck.

[Jacksc06 in reply to Racing1961]

Many thanks.

[AnneHill]

I got disability living allowance which has changed to PIP. I used the benefitsandwork site and had to appeal.It was pain not cll I claimed for. I learned that you arent talking to a caring doctor but a person ticking boxes and trying to catch you out.

I know that others might not agree with me. Its hard to describe why you need help. I always say that if you had a headache nobody would know and you would have to find a way to describe the pain and how it affects your life.

When you come home from work and are too exhausted to prepare a meal and you havent got the energy to do anything, that is how you fill the form in.

Sorry you are feeling so bad. Many of us will understand. I have a cleaner and should have got one earlier.

Take care, Anne

[Jacksc06 in reply to AnneHill]

Thanks Anne.

[AnneHill in reply to Jacksc06]

I have just read the post from Sepsur and listened to the link he mentioned. It did take a few minutes to hear the benefits advice but I think it would help you. She also says people get turned down and to appeal or reapply. If this is 6 months since your last application and things have changed it will be a new application.

[mush56]

We applied for attendance allowance nightmare my husband has diabetes, severe arthritis in both his feet , cataracts, AF , just had a stent put in due to narrowing , kidney failure, he has awful trouble walking the longer he is on his feet the worse they hurt, he is also waiting to see neurological team as he has shakes in his hands , I’m his carer because of all medication he doesn’t realise some time he is having a low so I have to make sure his blood sugars are good day & night . We cannot get it yet someone near us that’s had a new hip can get it a nightmare so good luck I do so hope you win

[Jacksc06 in reply to mush56]

Thank you.

[very]

Hi Jack, check out universal credit.If you are under state pension age and a low income, you may be eligible.

Jenny uk

[Jacksc06 in reply to very]

Thanks Jenny.

[BayfieldAnnette]

When my husband was diagnosed with Cll just over 6 year's ago applied for pip, and got zero points, and then reapplied with the help of Macmillan, and got awarded pip.

[Jacksc06 in reply to BayfieldAnnette]

Thank you.

[Pearlpink]

hi Jacks, I think the very important thing with one of these applications is not to fill it in yourself! It’s the one place where being stoic works against you! People have recommended both Macmillan and citizens advice bureau - I would completely agree. When we fill them in ourselves we tend to fill it in according to our best days, whereas they need to reflect your worst days.

If you are going to use CAB then book an appointment straight away because there’s often a waiting list.

Good luck!

[Jacksc06 in reply to Pearlpink]

Thank you.

[AnneHill in reply to Pearlpink]

I went into the job centre and there was a security guard by the lift. He asked if I used the lift would I be able to come back down the stairs if the fire alarm sounded. I said no. They have medical rooms downstairs. The person who examined me moved my arms above my head and my arm muscles hurt for a week. He asked me to lie on the examination bed and walked away without lowering it. I imagine he was waiting to see if I got down. My husband helped me. He said I could use a wheelchair and I wouldnt be able to get in it without help.The report was in sections and he missed out important things in each one. The final report missed out crucial facts and I was refused the benefit. I appealed and the judge gave it me.

When I applied for ESA I had a lovely doctor. She said I didnt look well and wasnt going to examine me. She gave me the money without a time limit. I genuinely wasnt well but I made sure I wasnt going to struggle to look nice. She saw me how I looked at home. Its a warning not to be stoic.

I admit I was bad tempered when I saw the guard by the lift and that trick. The seats were useless and they saw me moan and someone said they would fetch me a proper chair.

It shows they are watching to see if you are honest. I dont blame them but its not a hospital where there are nurses helping and sympathetic.

I wouldnt let me put anyone off applying but dont put a brave smile on your face or as a woman wear bright clothes and lipstick. It makes you look well. Anne uk

[Jacksc06 in reply to AnneHill]

Thanks Anne, some very good advice.

[Shedman]

Must use an advocate / MacMillan. An hour or two of prep is wise: the process is a tad dehumanising.. must always go with opposite of stoic;

How bad am I at my worst? ..on my worst day?

You got to.. acc-cen-tuate the adversity, min-i-mise the stoicism..

And *don't* mess with anything inbetween.

If you're prostrated some days.. then that is your only status. No quibbling that you cope with 7 hour days most of the time.. they won't give you occasional help and are not set to understand you need help 20% of the time. A little dehumanising / not intuitive where we aim to do our best and want to keep as independent as possible.

I had help during MH and memory trouble after treatment ended. Despite this, faced phone call assessment on my own and scored nil points.

The advocate team were dumb-founded. On appeal did rather better.

Got to have GP on board - if there is a MH element (time to acknowledge it / identify it) this matters for PIP. Most GPs know to emphasise the difficulties - so got to see they know the worst of your struggle.. that it is a miracle you have managed to struggle through so long.

[Jacksc06 in reply to Shedman]

Many thanks

[Pearlpink]

oops I forgot. Remember that PIP won’t be granted unless you have 6 months previously of being unwell. So I think seeing your GP as above, would b Ed very helpful. gPs have to do section so helpful to get some bullet points written down for your GP. 👍

[G1llHa1n]

Sorry it's come to this but do take all the help and advice to get what you need now. You have had/are having a bad time as others have said - show them what you really are at your weakest rather than the brave face - it's not your usual style but needs must. Despite what the benefits can do for genuine people and are officially meant to do - too many of the staff seem to regard their sole purpose as to save the system money. Take good care of you.

[Jacksc06 in reply to G1llHa1n]

Thank you.

[SERVrider]

The checking and adjudicating is done by an American outsourcing company similar to Crapita and I believe their pay is linked to what they don't spend. None of them are medically trained they are just admin people.

[HappyDave]

Hi,

The advice to use the CAB is good. The PIP forms looks simple but they are not and the administration by DWP and Crapatit are woefully inadequate. Gather your evidence carefully and prepare for your CAB interview.

Most applications are intially rejected as the DWP have targets to achieve in respect to rejecting applications and saving the government money, our money. Once rejected you need to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Don't worry the DWP reject over 80% of these as well but you must do this all within their time limits. Remember other time limits do not apply to DWP and they can take as long as they want, and they often do so.

This is the important bit. Once the MR is rejected you need to go to the tribunal. This sounds ominous but it is not. The key part is that the DWP LOOSE 70% plus of tribunals cases. Frequently the DWP will not even attend your appeal. Their medical reports are rubbish, contradictory and are a mish mash of cut and paste from unqualified staff. Support with the tribunal process will come from CAB and the local law centre.

Please don't be put off by the DWP. They are politically controlled and economically motivated. The whole process can take from 18-24 months but do not give up. They use the process of attrition in the hope that you will withdraw you application and go away. The good news is when you do win as surely you will, your PIP benefit will be back-dated to the date of your application.

Best of luck and do not be put off by DWP AND Crapatit.

Dave.

[Jacksc06 in reply to HappyDave]

Thanks Dave.

[Angus1953]

We were advised to see MacMillan nurse they sent out adviser to the house found them very helpful they filled in all the forms.

[Jacksc06 in reply to Angus1953]

Thank you Angus.

[Ruhi9]

I'd definitely get assistance with filling out forms.

My local hospice applied on my behalf for PIP which I had no idea existed, and also for a disabled parking permit. Less than two weeks later during a hospitalisation, my disabled parking badge arrived in the post, and the PIP award was confirmed by email. I just had to phone the number once I was discharged from hospital to activate payments.

Good luck!

[Jacksc06 in reply to Ruhi9]

Many thanks.