PIP Application arrived

[wanagetoverthis]

Hi everyone, please could I have some advice. I rang and applied via phone and now they’ve sent me the application form to fill out.

What are things to focus on and say to help get awarded? It’s hard for me to really sell it. I consider myself a strong, independent woman who constantly makes my own adjustments to lead a normal life. I use lifts instead of stairs, I have to have a break between floors of my hours and use the bannisters BUT I do walk up and down them. I frequently have fibro fog and when I do too much I’m knocked up for days.

Everyone says if you can drive and walk 50 metres they won’t give it you however, I’ve been off work (as a radiographer) since May due to my shoulders packing in, my fibromyalgia makes it worse and vice versa. I’ve had to return recently for fear of losing my job and because as a single Mum I am now out of money! Gone back on 15 hours but worried they’ll say a flat no because of the fact I can drive, I can walk 50 metres (albeit having to stop for little breaks and always parking within walking distance on flat ground so I don’t aggravate symptoms. I don’t lead a normal life, I lead an ‘adjusted’ life to be able to do normally day to day activities. I really need the Pip money and I can’t work as normal because of my fibromyalgia but it seems like if you aren’t wheelchair bound they won’t give it to anyone.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I fill it in x

[mclellans10]

Hi!

I have also just requested a PIP form of my Fibromyalgia after my friend encouraged me to apply for it. I myself didn't think I had a chance either because I'm working but she's helped a few people get it. I'm the same as yourself, I like to consider myself quite independent but I struggle to walk, I'm in pain 24/7, I'm really fatigued but just try to get on with it. I know however that my husband often needs to remind me to take my medication, he has to help me cook tea, and there's many times when he's had to pick me out of the bath. I'm sure there will be people who have been successful with it and can advise better, but one thing I've found out from speaking to my friend and reading online that, when they state things like "can you walk 50 meters unaided" it means WITHOUT pain. I was the same as yourself, I was thinking, well I can do this and this, but I can do it on my own if I have to, but I'm in bad pain. So when answering the questions remember to think if you can do these things normally, with no pain at all, with no struggle. I'm finding by doing this I've been too hard on myself, and still am, and just try to get on with things but with a great struggle.

Sending you lots of luck xx

[Hidden]

I would advise you to find a local welfare rights officer and ask for help to fill the form in..If you walk 50 meters and have to stop then you CANNOT walk 50 meters its less, these are the kind of answers the assessors will jump on, you must state your worst case senario leaving no stone unturned including personal hygeine struggles. I personally made a word document of my daily struggle and why, it is this you have to get across not what you duffer from. good luck.

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., Hello there, I have posted the HU link if you would like a read , there is also a helpline to speak to Janet for advice . Hoping this might be helpful and good luck, does sound from a lot of the posts I read it’s difficult when applying , if only people could live in a fibro body for a month they might get the picture xx

[releasethemagic]

If you follow this link to my previous post, you will find three Guides about how to complete PIP claim forms to best effect. There are two components to PIP, Mobility and Daily Living. For mobility the 20 metre rule gives an enhanced award, but you might still get a standard award if your mobility is impacted by fibromyalgia. Read the Guides and fill the forms in honestly, providing as much medical evidence as you can get to support what you say. You are entitled to copies of your records and all letters between Consultants and your GP but you will have to ask for them,

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...