I’ve got my pip interview Wednesday An just wondering if most people with fibromyalgia are successful? And what sort of things they ask me
Pip: I’ve got my pip interview... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Pip
Written by
Annab124
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
59 Replies
•
Firstly it doesn't matter whether you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, colitis or unable to peel an orange. What DOES matter is what you can and can't do. Firstly, I suggest you go to Benefits and Work website and complete their test for PIP, they will immediately send you back an answer telling you where you have scored points and where you haven't.
Please be as accurate with your answers as you can. Don't overestimate what you can do, but also don't underestimate what you can't do. If you go and have a cup of tea, now, by the time you come back I will have finished this reply. Did you enjoy that tea? was it easy to make? what did you actually do? I'll tell you what you did, shall I?
You walked to the kettle picked it up carried it to the sink and put water in it, you then took it back to the kitchen worktop, put it down and switched it on. Then you walked to the cupboard, took out a cup and saucer and carried them to the worktop and placed them near the kettle. You then went to the fridge to get some milk, which you took to the worktop and placed that down by the cup and saucer. You took a tea bag from the cupboard and put it into the cup, lifted the kettle of boiled water and poured it into the cup and added milk. You put the remaining milk back in the fridge, then walked back to the worktop, picked up your cup and saucer and carried it to the table where you sat down to have your cup of tea. Ahhhhh...Oh Damn, I forgot the biscuits...oh sod it I'm not going over there again, I'll do without.
I hope you enjoyed your cup of tea, you worked hard for it. Now go back and answer those questions on Benefits and Work website again. How did you score this time?
The f2f is not going to worry about what illnesses you have got, all they are interested in is what do you find hard to do? How do you do everyday things? What can you do? What can't you do? How far can you walk? with a walking stick? without a walking stick? Do you go to the shops and do your own shopping? Does someone do your shopping for you? Can you carry your shopping? Do you have to get a taxi home because you can't walk that far? or because your shopping is to heavy?
Good luck with the f2f, let us know how you got on and let us know how friendly or otherwise your assessor was. Good luck.
Thank you for your reply I appreciate it ! Is it best to tell them about my bad days rather than good days ? Or both ? Also do they make you do movements or touch you x
I understand they used to only write down about what you said were your bad days, but now though, they write down, whatever you tell them and leave it up to the DWP to make a decision. Sop it is up to you what and how much you tell them, as long as you tell them the truth and do not lie.
If they ask you to do something which you are uncomfortable with (it hurts too much, or makes you feel sick etc) you can refuse to do it. They are allowed to examine you, within reason, but again, if you feel uncomfortable or it is too painful you can and should refuse.
in reply to FRreedman
dont want to cause Annab any extra stress but they dont write down all of what they are told but do lie/make up things,twist things around.The claimants have no cause to lie do tell the truth but the truth is twisted around.
in reply to FRreedman
i can make a cup of (herbal ) tea-but its holding the cup/mug for a short length of time that is problematic-hands stiff and painful and numbness,cannot drink without spillage.
Annab124 in reply to
Do you get pip xx
in reply to Annab124
My f2f was in August 2017-was on indefinite DLA low rate care since 1999-.PIP not awarded.Did MR-same-reiterated the assessors lies etc.waited 16 months for tribunal-20 minutes and postponed ,tribunal in April-no award.
now goign to upper tribunal.Received SOR last week-handwritten report impossible to decipher/, Read typed report-lies and accusations -made by judge.referred to my medical records but not just my conditions-they mentiined details of every consultation and what gp's claimed-false accusations- non e of which is relevant for PIP as PIP is how my conditions affect me and what I can and cannot do.
The heartless b....... even had the gall to say "because her dog died of cancer she thinks she has cancer".b...y ridiculous! I lost him -my best friend-in december 2006.Accused me of "deliberately fumblijng to put hearing aids in when I had diificulty cos of arthritis in my hands and accused me of fraudulently obtaining a disabled bus pass-which I did meet the criteria for -had one since 2013,
I scored 28 and 22 points on the Benefits and work PIP self test and the CAB and AGEUK scored the same.
Thank you much appreciated xx
Just remember the assessment centre is everyone not just the f2f person. They watch and note what you are like. If you walk on a stick or crutches use them. Ask for a chair with arms in waiting area. I always ask for that where ever i go actually because trying to rise without aid is impossible with pain. They are checking through the form to what they observe you doing. If on the form you stated you had back pain difficulty bending keep your bag on your lap so you do not reach on the ground for it ever.Take someone with you if you can they cannot comment just give support.
Gentle Hugs
Thank you so much! Unfortunately all my family are in work so won’t be able to come in with me 
x
in reply to skit
take on board your advice -at my f2f the assessor claimed to "observe me sort through papers laid on the floor from seated position"that did not happen-why would anyone do that when they have a table in front of them to put papers on?At m y tribunal I used my walking stick and in the report it said "held walking stick lightly" (how do they know /tell and did not ask about holding it)and said "i walked at a brisk pace"-it was only a few paces into the room -what they did not see was me walking slowly several paces behind the court clerk and my advocate to the room.If they had asked I would have said cannot hold my stick for long due to pain stiffness an d numbness in my hands.
Hello, PIP is a benefit to help claimants with daily life issues. PIP is not awarded on your disability, diagnosis or the amount of medication you are prescribed. You apply for the benefit by filling in the long application form submitting your details on how the PIP descriptors impact on your daily life. The form is long and allows you to give as much information about why you cannot do, complete each time you do or attempted the PIP descriptor being written about. The information you submitted in your application from will have to be justified at your assessment. Having had your assessment wait a week then contact the DWP and request a copy of your assessment report and on receiving it you can work out what your award may should be but you still have to wait for your official award notification letter, good luck.
in reply to Farmerboy
Quote "PIP is a benefit to help claimants with daily life issues. PIP is not awarded on your disability, diagnosis or the amount of medication you are prescribed."-
nothng against you-so why in reports and \SOR do they note (lie about and assume)about medication/claim falsely that there is no mention of diagnosed illnesses in your medical records.etc
judge stated that DLA was awarded for "my main meal" but not once was it accepted for PIP that i could not prepare a meal from fresh.the SOR was contradictory,many errors and assumptions and what was told -was twisted around,they made it clear it was for a set period 2012 -2017 yet referred to things befoere and after that date -"because my (beloved)dog died from cancer -i thought i had cancer" that was heartless comment to make and what she referred to thtroughout was irrekvant to pip as it was not what i can and cannot do but what waa said in gp consultations -dismnissing the fact that one gp lied and gp's recorded things in a way to protect ther own backs -sorry so angry at the way they portray things to avoid awarding what i am entitked to and potray me to be who i am not,
I struggle daily and majority of days I struggle to even get dressed. I have fibromyalgia and I am on my second upper tribunal appeal after the second first tier was error in law again just like the first. My first time they didn’t take into account how long it takes me to complete daily routines. The second time the upper tribunal judge ordered that any new evidence and how my daily routine has decreased dramatically since my assessment two years earlier to be used and used only and not to use I for from two years ago yet when I went to first tier tribunal again and they refused to accept any new information or how my daily routine has drastically decreased and blatantly called my GP a liar for the letter he wrote to support my condition
What that’s awful ! I defo won’t get it then , I can dress myself but my hands An things hurt an I can’t wear a bra as it hurts my chest too much ! Do you work ? X
Hi there. No unfortunately I don’t work. I had to quit my university degree. I was 8 months out from qualifying as a children’s nurse. It got to the point where I couldn’t even grip a syringe properly.
in reply to AppleFanBoy82
can you take it to upper tribunal a second time then?I thought UT was the final stage?
AppleFanBoy82 in reply to
You can take to upper tribunal as many times as you want
in reply to AppleFanBoy82
hopefully wont come to that and I will get my PIP awarded.
AppleFanBoy82 in reply to
Fingers crossed.
Check the statement of reasons for any error in law. This is the single reason which enables you to go to the Upper Tribunal.
x
in reply to AppleFanBoy82
I read som ewhere that you could only appeal to the UT once-so that is not the case -if the FTT are in "error of law".= a second time.i am the same my conditions have deteriorated in the last two years and now i have a GP who does not address what i tell her is wrong -only what my symptoms are NOT!!You were lucky to have a supportive GP-I had a GP who blatantly lied about things and falsified an entry in my records -there may be more -that is the only one that "jumped out at me "from the page,They also called the two gp's liars-when their letters specifically stated what i had been diagnosed with and how they affected me on a daily basis,
in reply to
To AppleFanBoy
sorry -just seen below that i have akready asked about going to the UT more than once,
Hi they will ask the same questions not matter what you are diagnosed with it is about what you can and can’t do how things affect your day to day life just be honest with them and if you don’t get it you can appeal most by what I have read do but everyone is different and lot of people on here with fibro have others health issues also so not one size fits all some manage to still live a full life others don’t so it’s down to you circumstances and difficulties you face also what evidence you have to back up what you are saying is important to as you can take it along to the f2f as most of the assets I have heard say that they have not seen evidence from DWP and you will need it for appeal also but remember it cannot be more than 2 years old so if it is maybe get it updated good luck
I had got to the point where I couldn't do anything ..including giving a crap about pip ..even though without it is would die ...worked out well ... collapsed on floor ... why do people think they know your limits better than myself ??? Also had to self medicate to get there ...which I would not advise. .don't worry it makes no difference xxx
Worrying I mean ..
If you can take someone with you, to take notes because they may lie. Even make stuff up. Happens a lot! Good luck tho.
Hi Annab124 I currently suffer from osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I receive pip which is very helpful for any unforeseen costs. They ask a lot of questions on daily living and personal hygiene. They will ask things like how far you can walk, lift things, how you sit, move and such. They do not ask you to show them as they understand how painful it can be. Hope this helps
in reply to Nevereasy67
they didnt ask how far I could walk but how long it took me to walk a distance,Told them I didnt know cos cant judge time or distance-just know i am slower than an able bodied person and in pain from the time i get up.
Was what you describe your f2f experience-they didnt ask me anything like that but made assumptions based on what they wrongly claimed to observe.My one or few word or "silence" responses became lengthy paragraphs half a page long,
they need to award PIP on paper base-we dont lie about our disabilities-yet the so called HP's can lie through their back teeth and fabricate things.
I have been put in the ESA support group and have not applied for PIP. However reading the posts the assessment for PIP sounds the same as the assessment for ESA. Is this correct or can anyone tell me the difference?
Any medical letters or reports I have just had all mine up dated cause will be due a review shortly also took all my meds in with me that I was taken at that time they not interested in what you can’t take only what you taking
I told them of all the aids i used-help i need but the tribunal judge did not accept that i used them/had help
They do ask about the meds you are currently on and what dosage they also ask you what you taken them for I taken deluxetine for depression and pain but some take it for only one reason if they where not interested in it they would not ask when you apply and when you in f2f it shows I guess that you are getting treated for your health issues they also asked me if I was suffering side affects from meds as this can also hinder your ability to do daily tasks so be prepared you get marked on what help you need if you look on work and benefits they also want to know do you remember your meds how do you take them this is all questions you will be asked
in reply to Jamie1965
the asessor at my f2f claimed that I purchased OTC meds and they and prescribed meds helped.If he had asked he would have been told I don t buy OTC meds and not all prescribed meds help .
Jamie1965 in reply to
They are total liars mine said that my partner helped me put my socks back on one I was not asked to take socks off and two I have not worn socks since I was 10 years old 44 years ago they said that I was able to get up off the floor by myself I was never on the floor and if I was could not do that in a million years they said that I cook English roast every Sunday my husband is West Indian and would walk out in discuss if I gave him a roast dinner I cannot even bend to put roast in over if I wanted to and the hospital reports show this I was bemused by the whole thing then on top of the lies my incurable conditions some I had at birth she said may get better I should have take her nurse badge number when I walked in so that I could send the report as she needs to be struck off I won’t fall for that one again
Sorry was just in appointment at hospital do you have kidney issues that you have told them about if so then take the letter to the f2f and say I was on this med but as you can see it will cause issues with my already damaged kidney if you have not told them about kidney issues I would not tell them anything cause unfortunately a lot of the assessments I have read about including my own had several lies in them and other things ignored you May be unlucky and get someone who will only not the part that you where taken off meds making it look like you are not as bad as you are stating you are you would have to play it by ear when you get there and my advice would be very wary of the ones who go in like they are on your side their not they will try to catch you out I heard and read in my sources that they get bonus for reaching a certain failure rate and extra money for seeing more patients in one day than stated so the records are not a true reflection and often have to be appealed on the gov website there is document ya on there that you can read that are for the assessor and on benefits and work pay the fee about £15 they have an way to understand but very comprehensive guide I find it very helpful and on the government website you can also down load the forms that the assessor has to fill in so you can see what kind of questions they will ask but they will never just ask out right what they want to know they will always go around the motor way to get a simple answer just say yes or no to there questions unless you feel you need to give more detail and if they try to cut you off just say as I did it is not a yes or no answer so please let me finish it is always good to have someone with you keeping nots also
I bought some-like Pill Popper,Dosette box,Bottom wiper,can/bottle openers grab rail for bath,the others-grab rails on doors,bed rail and bath seat were provided by the council.
I called the CAB to book an appointment to see their adviser re the SOR and had difficulty trying to explain the situation to the person who took my call until she looked on my record-didnt get an appt but told i will receive one in the post.I read somewhere today -on FB I think that the UT send their decision back to the first tier tribunal and so it carries on,
If you have them in that case you bring it up at the meeting don’t wait to be asked incase they ignore it again make a point of showing them the letter you received about complaint and the compensation they won’t dare ignore again I have had to get a letter from my doctor to confirm that the adult health report I had done nearly 2 years back still applies as they won’t do another report due to cuts said I would have to wait until I have move home first to get a new report the government website clearly states that they won’t accept any letters or reports that are more than 2 year old I only found it by accident when I was having a nosy after a conversation with another member and they pointed me to the site to get some more information to help if I needed to appeal I really don’t truest them so I am this time getting everything ready I never got my report from the face to face as thought I did not need it I was given enhanced on both elements for 4 years but I called couple of months back got the report and the lies that where in it could not believe what I was reading and even though they are aware that my conditions are incurable and will decline as life goes on the assessor advises that I could get better and to reassess me in 3 years she even stated that my dyslexia may get better I mean these are meant to be medical professionals (in what universe)
Yep I took a photo copy to the doctor and asked them when they where doing my new med report to also include a letter that states that the information in the report was still accurate and correct I called adult services they where not able to do a new report until new circumstances due to budget cuts and the waiting list for there service it may be different in your area im in Nottingham so I called pip and asked what I should do about that and they said to get hospital or gp to give letter or report to back it up so I have I think they are doing this on purpose cause they know after so long in treatment the only thing the health services can do is to give us meds cause nothing is gonna get better and once that has been decided how are we meant to continue getting up to date reports from services we have been discharged by it’s hard enough getting appointments to start with I have also taken photos of the equipment they have given me at home on my phone as it put time and date on I work part time so gonna put in a request to go back to occ health there and then I will have a report of Debbie our nurse and I have had access to work come in and have report from them which they update every 6 months and they also have put me under mental health with them for a year and got my head union guy to agree to write a report about the adjustments I have at work And how I have been affected by my health on the work place I have also just been granted early retirement so have all the letters from them that I have had to move to part time and that I will not ever be able to work in my old job (in the same company ) again and now have to do a back office roll the access to work and the assessor they sent has put a report in direct to the DWP about adjustments and the fact that I will have to have new adjustments in 3 years as my conditions worsen I have also asked the manager in the area where my desk now is to do a letter to show how they have to look after all the time I am in the office also every 3 months they have to do stress risk assessment for me which shows how I suffer with me conditions at work so I print them off to everything I can get I get backed up One way or another now so I have plenty of evidence should I need it
Sounds like you should get your doctor to back confirm is still accurate like I had to you may not need it but if you have to go to appeal you will or when your reward for pip is running out you will need it for review hopefully with everything crossed you will fly through the assessment and not need to get stuff updated straightaway but at some point unless we get this government out and the assessment comes back in house you will need them best be prepared some people give up on it cause they are not prepared and did not know what they where in for but most people that have to appeal win even thous who where given lots should have been given higher awards or as in my case longer but I’m ready for them now it’s time for my meds again they will most likely knock me out as always so have a look on gov website under pip rules and also benefit and work you will need that should things not go to plan all the luck in the world message me let me know how you go I will have everything that don’t hurt crossed for you 🥴
Defo show them the letter they two different assessments and depends on the assessor you get on the day plus they say that the esa is harder to do than the pip but pip turn less down they give them the wrong reward I won’t send all my stuff into them I will tell them about it then if it don’t go how it is meant to will have more evidence to give them I’m just gonna let them have the up to date stuff but if they mess with me again gonna dump years of stuff on them at the mr
They just want there bonus and of course they want to deny claimants what they are entitled to fuse that is how the mps all got there pay rise and Harry and magen got the house extension while the rest of us fight to heat and eat and try to keep roof over our heads
Just going through some of the down loads I mad from giv this is one of there new forms
Full name National Insurance number
3a. About your treatments, therapy or operations
Tell us about any private or NHS funded treatments or therapy you’ve had, you’re currently having or that are planned for the future, for example:
• nameoftreatment,therapyoroperation
• whenyouhadorarehavingthetreatment,therapyoroperation • howoftenyouhavethetreatmentortherapy
3b. About your medication
Tell us about your current medication, including:
• medicationname
• howoftenyoutakeitandhowmuchyoutake • anysideeffectsfromthemedication
• whenyoustartedtakingthemedication
PIP Award Review - How your disability affects you
Sample
5 of 12
Here is another part
Information we want to see:
• prescription lists
• care plans
•report and information from people like your doctors,nurses,social
workers or counsellors
8 Information we don’t want to see:
• appointment letters
• information you’ve sent us before
• anything more than 2 years old
How the Department for Work and Pensions collects and uses information
When we collect information about you we may use it for any of our purposes. These include dealing with:
• social security benefits and allowances
• child support
• employment and training
• financial planning for retirement
• occupational and personnel pension scheme
We may get information about you from others for any of our purposes if the law allows us to do so. We may also share information with certain other organisations if the law allows us to. To find out more about how we use information, visit our website gov.uk/dwp/personal-informa... or contact any of our offices.
What happens next
• Wewilllookatyourformandanyinformationyou’vesentustocheckyourPIP award
• Wewillwritetoyouwhenwe’vemadeourdecision
• Wemaycallyouifwe’veanyquestionsorneedmoreinformation.Ournumber
may show on your phone as a withheld number
• Wewillwritetoyouifweneedyoutoattendaface-to-faceconsultationwith
a health professional
• Youdon’tneedtocontactusunlessyou’veotherchangesyouneedtotellus
about
PIP Award Review - How your disability affects you
Sam
Hi, I know everyone who goes through PIP assignment is different and it's a horrible thing to be put through. I have had 6 assignments over the years, as well as fibromyalgia I also have epilepsy as well as a host of other conditions. I have had an seizure during most of my assignments and still have to wait to see if I get enough 'points '. The last assignment I had the asser said he wouldn't examine me because he could see how much pain I was in and he kept asking if he needed to call 999! But until that brown envelope comes through the door you never know what the asser was thinking on the day. Tell the truth and make sure you have someone to support you, that's all you can do. I wish you well and hope everything works out.
Thank you very much ! Sadly no one can come in with me on the day , will this go against me
Could you have someone just sat in the waiting room? then at lest you know you're not alone. I have always gone in the actual assignment on my own but had my parents waiting for me( even when my Dad screamed at the asser when the seizure I had was heard down the hall, apparently I hit the deck rather hard!) I know it's difficult but try not to think the worst before you even go, remember every one in that assignment waiting room is just as scared as you.
Thank you ! My dads dropping me but he has to go to work straight after then my grandad is picking me up x
Tell the asser that, then at lest it proves you need someone to get you from and too places. And you will know that your Granddad will be there when you come out, so no your not alone.
They are horrendous lots of people on here and other websites have gone for review with the same health issues or worse and have come away with a lower amount than when they where first given it I’m convinced that this new computer system is set to standard rate for enhanced and to nothing for standard rate as a default and they think that putting more obstacles in front of people that they will given in they are even saying now that a reasonable distance for vulnerable person to travel for appeal is 12 hours round trip including the half hour for appeal hearing trying to put people off appealing then I get mad I have a neighbour who went to appeal today and won in esa but there is nothing wrong with him at all except he does not want to work but some people like him know how to play the system totally unfair and just shows that these assessors are not qualified to do the assessment cause under the old system he was told to look for work and he goes aboard 4 times a year to Thailand and Brazil but yet his back is so bad he stated he cannot sit or stand for long at all cannot walk without pain he is on you tube Tia boxing 6 months ago and shows videos of him on stage singing he said he don’t have time for work he has to work on his music dam cheek
Not often but goodluck to you sincerely
Hi Ajay575 my dads trying to get hold of his OT for his report it's proving very difficult to get hold of him does he have to contact the council to get his report then an not the OT assessor ? Thank you xx
Great thanks Ajay575 I will let him no and we will contact the council instead then we never knew this so thank you xx
Nope council receptionist didn have a clue where or who we are to ask 🤷♀️ thanks anyway xx
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Whether to PIP or not to PIP
applied for PIP about 4 years ago and was turned down. My fibro has got worse since then and I am...
PIP and fibromyalgia
support from PIP. I’ve made 2 claims but none successful. Has anybody else made a claim and got it?...
Pip for fibromyalgia
Hi I've recently applied for pip do anyone know how long it takes for a assessment to take place...
Fibromyalgia and PIP
have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia exactly 3 years ago and applied for PIP 14 months ago....
PIP FOR FIBROMYALGIA
Hi all, contemplating wether to apply for PIP. I tried around 6 years ago but wasn't successfull...
pip for fibromyalgia 
Just ring to apply for PIP :/
Help with PIP renewal forms 
PIP ESA Carer's allowance
Pip claim, is it worth it?
