Wondering?

[Callierae]

Can anyone tell me if I would be entitled to PIP after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and inflammatory arthritis. Thank x

[Sab123blossom]

From my experience we are assessed on how our Fibro condition affects our lives...not by virtue of being diagnosed with it...

all the best with getting help to make your lfe more bearable and 'managed'....x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

Unfortunately having a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia does not automatically make you entitled to any benefits at all.

Having said that you can apply for PIP (and other benefits) and see how you get on.

PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is awarded at lower and higher care rates.  The benefit is awarded upon how a person's condition (it could be any illness) affects their daily life.  Say for instance if you need a carer or have mobility issues.  PIP used to be called DLA (Daily Living Allowance).

I have given you a link below with details of the various benefits that there are available to apply for, depending on your circumstances:

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

If you do decide to apply for PIP it can be a very long and arduous journey with no guarantee of a benefit award at the end.

I am only explaining this, as I feel it is good to know right from the beginning what you are letting yourself in for.

After you have called and requested the form (you will need to have your National Insurance Number to hand) you will have a deadline to return the form to the DWP. The PIP form is a bit like a book.  From what I can remember it is about 30 pages long.

If you do decide to apply, come back and let us know and we will help you further.  It is important to get some professional help filling in your form.  You can Google for a Disability Advocate to help you. There are charities that will help you fill in forms, and accompany you to your assessment and do not charge. 

The CAB can also help. There are other organisations as well, for instance Welfare Rights.  At the end of the day it is completely up to you if you want to do the form yourself or get some help.

Unfortunately there are no guarantees of being awarded PIP, but at the end of the day, you will never know unless you try.

I hope some of this helps and I apologise if any of it sounds negative.  I am just being realistic about what is involved.

Wishing you all the very best

Lu x

Admin

[rosewine]

As the others say it is not so much what your illnesses are but how they affect you so one person might get PIP and the other might not.

It is always worth going for a benefit like PIP as it is not means tested but as Lu says get all the help you can get in filling in the form as there are ways and means of wording your answers to achieve the best possible outcome.  From what we are seeing the decision making is very erratic and we cannot understand some of the decisions that are made so as Lu says it can be a bit of a rocky ride but certainly worth the effort if you get the award.  Good luck with it x😀

[peck]

I don't have an answer but I wish you luck!! Peck.😊

[Hidden]

Hi. I applied and surprisingly got it. I needed it to pay for taxis to the hospital and to the shops. I needed to buy mobility aids too and supplements. I was also paying more for heating and lighting as I am unable to work. They assessed my needs and mobility issues and examined me. It's very stressful and they are judgemental but if you need it and have support then go for it. The worst they can say is no! Good luck!

[TheAuthor]

Hi Callierae

As your other respondents have intimated, it is not the illness that gets you a benefit but how it affects your day to day life. I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck if you decide to apply for PIP.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden]

Benefits and Work website have a self assessment for PIP with some advise on claiming the benefit