New pip application

[Jenniferf49]

Hi I was turned down on appeal for pip in February for fibromyalgia and depression and anxiety. I am now reapplying as I am on more meds. The form says send in evidence of condition but my doctor won't give me the proof to send in as she says they should contact her for the proof. Have no other evidence what should I do

[Julia10]

Hi Jennifer, sorry to hear about you’re struggles, I can relate. you are entitled to a medical letter from youre GPs with diagnosis & current medication. They may make you pay for it though. Write to them or email GPs, & request one. It’s all better in writing. Hope this helps. Julia x

[Jenniferf49 in reply to Julia10]

Thankyou I will ring them on Monday

[Flecmac in reply to Jenniferf49]

I have this problem and my Gp said she can only write meds and medical problem/s and cannot give evidence of how a condition effects daily activities, which is what DWP demand!!! Same with hospital. Although I have lots of problems and attend several departments, no one can say how I am affected on a daily basis, and this varies over time! I just feel like there’s no point going to tribunal, all the stress is making me more ill and on the day I may not be well enough as it’s so unpredictable! It would be frowned on if I had to cancel. I cannot give any more evidence and it took a long time, with help, collecting all that I sent to them which explained in great detail. It just doesn’t seem worth fighting any more. I hope that you are successful, I would be interested to know if you manage to get hold of evidence. Good luck!

[Hamish142 in reply to Julia10]

Hi Julia10 pip will contact your gp for a letter as they are doing this now for my application.

[Jenniferf49]

Thankyou will definitely be contacting GP on Monday to get this sorted .

[Dizzytwo]

Hi Just a thought but you may be better talking to you surgery manager. The SM seem to be the ones that deal with all the paper work and maybe the best to advice you. You will also need to put your request in writing.

I have always requested any of my results etc in writing to my practice manager and it was dealt with very quickly. There may be a charge for this. I personally have never been charged. Good luck 🤞

Momo

[Sue_64]

Hi You are now entitled to see your medical records, but you have to fill a form in that you get from your practice, this goes to the practice manager who will print a copy of your records for you, will you be able to make other copies yourself, I did this so I had a copy for the future. I did put a letter in with it as well stating it must include all diagnosis of conditions & medications as well any test results if you have had any, also give a date by which you need to receive it as I had to keep phoning for mine, it took a couple of weeks. Don't delay sending your application form in though you can send this in when you receive it. DWP don't always contact your GP now like they did for DLA applications, my doctor wasn't contacted.Pop down to your surgery or phone in Monday to request the form, writing takes too long & you can't afford to be waiting. Good luck. Sue x

[Jenniferf49]

Yes I do the cab

[Jenniferf49]

Thanks I'd say I will need it lol

[Jenniferf49]

The last time I went to appeal I got no points for prompting for my depression or anxiety . It was like they didn't believe me

[Jenniferf49]

The doctor won't write me a note . They say they don't do it any more they said that pip should contact them. But pip don't

[Rosepetal60 in reply to Jenniferf49]

Apparently Sometimes they do.

[DWPmakingMyLifeHell in reply to Jenniferf49]

This is because they get paid an automatic £33odd for saying very little at all. You can request your own letter but you'd have to pay (check with your surgery about fees).

[Jenniferf49]

Thank you so much for your advice

[Hidden]

Hello Jenifer can I ask are you a member of Patient access? If so that should enable you to get full access to all your notes about your Dr's comment's and the diagnosis you have been given and any note's ETC from your Consultant , then you can print these off and provide them as your evidence .If you are not a member of Patient access then I recommend you sort that ASAP as it can really help not only your claim but you also get to see what everyone has written about you LOL ,...You can Email them at [e-mail] Hope that helps ,....

[Hidden]

let me tell you hun the DWP will NOT contact anyone for you, its up to us to send in all evidence,, have you got a repeat prescription form? send that it with an appeal letter or an M.R if you havn,t already... I am not sure but I think it has to be 6 months before we re apply completely but M.R if you read about that; might be possible. I had to pay all my medics a for copies of diagnosis- I contacted their secretaries explained what i needed them for and they obliged.. I am court of appeal with my younger sister fro PIP we applied 14 months ago.. I might try her again via normal channels .

[Hidden]

I suspect its a post code lottery who helps the most and who doesnt. I do think Amber Rudd has changed the way the DWP work now on disabled needs.. I live North of england and I am helping my sister at court of appeal stage, we are still asked to send in further evidence to be filed with her claim but no date for appeal yet after 14 months!

[Jenniferf49 in reply to Hidden]

I live in northern Ireland so I don't no what it is like here. I no the last time I applied they never contacted my gp even with mandatory review

[Hidden in reply to Jenniferf49]

You might be lucky over there that the asessment company will collect evidence for you, over here the two main ones want us to do it ourselves, maybe call them and ask if there is anything you can do to speed things up.

[Jenniferf49]

Can I ask what is a f2f

[Hidden]

ESA has been a nightmare for me- my PIP was done at home with a doctor not an assessor (makes you feel they dont beleive you) I retired 3 years ago from NHS with fibro mainly.. I got my nhs pension but its small and so was advised to apply for ESA, I,m afraid they persicute me every year, just got a brown envelope today with word for word the same as the renewal in July except for the date of the letter,, all a complete waste of resources.. You may have read i got Amber Rudd involved who in turn asked local Tory.M.p to see me after I was told to go for a Work capability Assessment in June ( followed by a renewal of ESA in July) the left hand doesnt know what the right is doing at DWP. I don,t object to assessments BUT when a person has been medically retired (and believe me the nhs dont retire you without a fight) plus letters from medics and therapist stating clearly you cannot be expected to work anymore , it beggers belief that someone pulls your file and sends for you without looking at the bigger picture.. I am hoping to work with my local M.p about this practice, he in turn is taking my case to Amber Rudds weekly meetings to thrash out complaints about the way the dwp behave.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I hope you get what you truly deserve. Where are you in the north west? Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Stockport

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I'm not far from you., I live in Rochdale. How are you feeling at the moment? Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Jenniferf49 in reply to Hidden]

I'm in fermanagh

[Hidden in reply to Jenniferf49]

I'm sorry but where's that ? Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Jenniferf49]

What is f2f

[Loz18 in reply to Jenniferf49]

F2f stands for face to face hun xx

[linlin01 in reply to Jenniferf49]

It stands for face to face 😊

[Siddyboy999 in reply to Jenniferf49]

Face to face hun

[harmony2 in reply to Jenniferf49]

Face to face

[FRreedman]

Face to face.... everyone seemed to be too busy point scoring on this thread.

[FRreedman]

Never far away. I enjoy reading your posts.

[Farmerboy]

Reading the many post on the subject of claiming PIP a lot of claimants are missing the point. PIP is accessed on your abilities to preform the descriptors of the PIP assessment procedure. Sending in reams of information only confirms your diagnosis, disability or medications you are taking. Your GP will not know how you cope about your daily living activities in relation to the PIP descriptors. So when you fill in the PIP application form send in your diagnosis confirmation of your disability and a list of current medications. Focus on your abilities to do or not do the descriptors giving examples of what happens when you try or attempt to do each descriptor.

[DWPmakingMyLifeHell in reply to Farmerboy]

Well said 👍

[MyMollie in reply to Farmerboy]

Hi, I am new, have claimed DLA high rate for 20 years. Got through my first pip ok. Went for the second f2f took 2 1/2 hours and got care reduced.

Your advice is very good I will definitely check my answers .

Thanks again

Keep well

[Braveheart1]

When I applied I asked the receptionist for a summarised print out of my conditions, she gave me pages which confirmed my diagnosis’s- it just highlighted all significant medical conditions throughout years including surgeries. I also had letters from chronic pain service I included, ot, and consultants. If you have a physio they should be able to provide something. Include latest prescription list. Hope that helps

[DWPmakingMyLifeHell]

I'm not sure if anyone suggested this, but I had my MP as well. Although they didn't really do much as far as filling in the forms etc, the mere fact they were checking on the DWP's progress seemed to put the wind up them... I had been waiting for an appeal tribunal date when I received a letter saying they'd changed their mind and here's all of your backpay etc... Don't think having the name of the MP behind you can harm your prospects anyway, even if that's all it is!

Make sure you include everything you're unable to do that you used to, repeat things over and over across the various sections. As someone else said, they no longer pay because you have Fibromyalgia, as lots of people are still fairly able and hold down jobs etc etc, the PIP benefit is for those that cannot manage without help.

If you drive and have to have a satnav on for anxiety reasons, or need an assistance dog for whatever reason etc make sure you mention it over and over in any box it's relevant in. Mention ANYthing and EVERYthing that is relevant to your health, gory details the lot... If you have IBS go into the full details of how that affects you on the day day to day basis, if you suffer flooding or endemetriosis give graphic details of how this affects you. There are tons of things that can be attributed to FMS make sure you've included ALL of the ones that affect you, as saying "I've got Fibromyalgia" doesn't help them get an accurate picture of the support you need or if you're just a bit whacked in the afternoon etc.

By the time my PIP was approved my hair was falling out thru stress and my Fibro/ME was so bad I could barely get out of bed, let alone leave the house.

I've had it for over 20years and have to use sticks and a chair or scooter for hospital or shops (get delivered as can't go shopping) etc, so if you've only recently been diagnosed they may count that against you I don't know.... I wouldn't wish the process on anyone, just thinking about the renewal is making me ill.

Best of luck.

[Jenniferf49 in reply to DWPmakingMyLifeHell]

I would like to thank everyone for all your advice thankyou.

[Skyla2]

It’s miserable when you feel like people don’t believe you when all you need is a little bit of compassion and a friendly helpful GP, unfortunately I very rarely find this to be honest, it seems like everybody working in the NHS are to stretched to remember that their dealing with poorly people not objects, i do at every hospital appointment, consultation with specialists etc, ask for a letter to be sent to me as well as my GP of any findings/ referrals,I can’t give you any advice hun just send you my love, I did get pip but it was more for my osteoarthritis that effects my joints in my fingers so I can’t do much with my right hand, and I have just had a hip replacement so got the lower level of pip for mobility as I’m waiting to have the other hip done, the fact that I have fibromyalgia since 2012 and had every letter kept since then from chiropractors to physiotherapists, neurologists, pain clinic etc, pip still are not interested in Fibro like many doctors I swear they think we make it all up, xx

[Needsleep]

You are entitled to request your medical records and also photocopy your prescriptions... also don’t be proud... it’s hard to be vulnerable in front of strangers but you need to be... they need to see it... first time I went I was all proud but falling apart inside... refused.. 2nd time I was much worse anyway and literally broke down, felt sick, got cramps in my feet.. and wailed about losing my identity and I want it back. I used to teach.. I used to work many hours in related jobs... and I struggle to even remember what I’m talking about now... the fibro fog is shit!!! Id get halfway through the answer to her questions and forgot the question!!! Was rambling about nothing hoping I’d remember... she was really nice and kept prompting me ...

I was awarded it from that interview...

good luck... xxx

[Purr-cat]

Hi Jenniferf49,

Your GP sounds:

a) Unhelpful

b) Uninformed of the PIPs process (have you thought of going to another GP, even if it is in the same practice). She should know that the patient needs evidence to send in with the claim. This is considered by the DWP, and only then is the GP contacted. Really they play a confirmatory role to the evidence you have provided. The GP verifies the evidence that you have sent in. His/ her role comes later in the process than she realises.

Here is what I did as evidence of medication:

Do you get repeat prescriptions? If so each month you will be given back the half of the repeat medication slip that has the boxes you tick for the medication you need for next time. You can either:

a) Photocopy this (what I did). If you use this method send the photocopy not the original. These photocopies are acceptable evidence to the DWP.

or b) Ask GP reception to print it out for you (you do not need a GP appointment for this). You do not need to wait to get this when your next medication is due, you can ask any time. Make it clear that you are not wanting extra medication before it is due, and that it is evidence for a PIPs claim and also it is only the list with the boxes to tick that you require. Many patients lose their list of medication and have to have the list reprinted so the receptionist should comply. You have the right to this information because it is about you.

Make sure you write your National Insurance number on all loose evidence so that if the DWP get paperwork mixed up they can put things back together.

Your GP should be there to support you and to fight your corner. It is hard enough for us to get the benefits we are entitled to without this unhelpfulness. When you have fibromyalgia the fatigue makes filling in a 40 page document an absolute nightmare. The short deadline for returning adds to the pressure. It seems to be a system deliberately set up for us to fail.

I am sorry you have met with this extra barrier. You deserve a better GP.

Remember don't let the Bs get you down!

Good luck and best wishes,

Purr-cat

[Jenniferf49 in reply to Purr-cat]

Hi none of the gps in the practice will give anything .

[Purr-cat in reply to Jenniferf49]

Hi Jenniferf49,

If the GPs all behave in the same way it looks like they have made it practice policy to behave like this. It will be saving them time and money but it means that they are not doing one of the jobs they are obliged to do. They are failing their patients, and need to be reported to your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This is a group that watches doctors surgeries and investigates complaints, making sure they do their job properly. If patients complain they keep it anonymous from the GPss. You can find your local CCG on the internet and all you have to do is send them an email. Tell them it has not just happened to you but they are failing to provide an NHS service that patients are entitled to. It is a breach of our rights.

Good luck and best wishes,

Purr-cat

[mattjoachim in reply to Jenniferf49]

Have you access to patient access through your doctors surgery. I read recently that health assessors should give advice on how patients can be supported through the sharing of information and what they should sent on from patient access. The print out should contain active problems, current medication with date last prescribed and details on the last three consultations. On my patient access on some of my consultations under comments the GP has left it left blank.

[lurky52]

Hi they should contact your doctor and any other doctor's or consultants that you put down on your form. That's why they ask for them. You can find out if they have by asking your doc if you are rejected again and if they haven't you have grounds to appeal because they have not done as they should. Sorry you are getting messed around. They do it on purpose in the hope that you'll drop your claim. Get all the evidence you need and put down all the doc's you see if they are contacted. Got all things crossed for you.

[ClaireD1981]

Ask for a print out of your medical history my brother did this although they did charge I think £30. It is your medical history after all. When I applied for pip though they did actually get in touch with my docs so it's upto you x

[Verarowr]

I suggest you speak to the GP practice manager. Should help you with that.