Would I get pip and blue badge

[Andyk12861]

Hi I’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 6 months ago but I’ve also got arthritis in both ankles i’ve had both knee’s replaced I’ve just had an operation on 3 vertebrae because I had lumber stenosis i could go on lol I still work but finding it very hard would I have any chance of getting pip and blue badge with what’s wrong with me thanks

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Pip is based on how your symptoms affect you on a daily basis and not what you are diagnosed with.

Blue badge is same, based on how far you can walk (you qualify automatically depending on what points you get pip for)

[Andyk12861 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

If you ask how far can I walk or I should say how far can I walk without any pain the answer to that is as soon as I take one step I’m in pain then every step I take after that I’m in constant pain even taking morphine tablets I’m still in pain

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Andyk12861]

Totally understand. Many of us are the same, but convincing dwp of that is a totally different matter xxx

[Hidden in reply to Andyk12861]

Same here. I really feel for you. Take care Lynne

[Bluenordic]

I have a blue badge but havn't applied for pip, I am still working, just managing, full time. The blue badge is helping g that to continue. Without it I would seriously have to consider giving up work.

[Andyk12861]

Hi I’ve never ever gone down this route but I just have to my body is just giving up yes I know I have fibromyalgia but I have other things going on aswell I have a couple of consultants to see over the next week or two once I’ve seen them I’m going to ask each if they would write a letter of what’s wrong I’m hoping once I have the letters I’ll be able to try and cut my working hrs down hopefully by one day a week as I just can’t do 5 days a week anymore I physically just can’t do it

[Bluenordic]

Thanks Ajay575 I was concerned that applying for anything would mean having to go through all the stress that many many others have spoken about with assessments etc.

[aaron1234]

Hi as many said, PIP is how you are effected on a daily, I applied for a BB before PIP I attended an assessment at my council and spoke to someone (Sorry forgot who, but medical profession) and she walked me to my car. Give that a go, a letter from your GP may help too.

Good luck!

[Andyk12861]

Thanks for the reply I will be trying to get bb for I even think about going for pip because you read the story’s people put on here about being turned down but I really hope I get a bb as like alot of people it would really really help me 👍

[Julesubu]

Hi it’s definitely worth applying. I got OA both knees and Fibro. Need replacement. I got declined for both, like you I work only 22 hrs. I don’t have your back problem though. Try and get help filling out forms a lot of towns have services that will help. If get declined appeal and describe your worse days not the ones where it’s less painful and push yourself. Trouble I have is I try and middle through and don’t really articulate the pain etc that well. After 10-15 years it’s hard to describe chronic pain.

Good luck

[Andyk12861]

On my worst days I just can’t function there’s something else on top of everything else I have to put up with I’ve been really suffering with sacroiliac joint pain the pain basically shoots down from my right buttock down to my calf when that happens I basically can’t walk so if I say on my worst day and everything kicks in I can hardly move never mind walk

[Vixen04 in reply to Andyk12861]

Hi. When filling in PIP forms it is essential to get help as many of the questions are sneaky. As said before it's based on your worst days. You need to think about simple things such as when you walk around at home do you hold onto the backs of chairs, walls, doors, counters etc? This would be something you would put in under the question can you walk around your home unaided and the answer is no then you explain why. Then there's the can you dress yourself without difficulty. We all would automatically say yes but if you're female, how do you put your bra on? Do you put your arms behind your back and clip the bra, with fibro I doubt it you clip it at the front then burl it around! Same for skirts/trousers that zip up the back, can you zip them up without twirling the zip to the front? Can you go to the bathroom without difficulty? (it's one of the questions, I'm not asking lol). You have to think about how you sit and stand, do you hold onto a counter, sink, towel rails or radiator etc. Basically read the questions and put the form away for a couple of days and all the little things will do, like placing our hand on a wall for support must, must must be written down in a notebook so you can take it with you when you go to whoever is helping you. If they don't want that info then go elsewhere. Get as many letters as possible from GPs, consultants etc and tell them what it is for. Good luck! Xx

[WF2k in reply to Vixen04]

It's advised that you don't fill the form out based on your worst days because you can be tripped up in your assessment then and accused of lying if you happen to be having an ok day on the day of the assessment.

You need to say that your problems fluctuate and how you are affected by them. They base it on 50% of the time over a 12 month period.

I agree, that people should get help when filling these forms out, the descriptors are confusing and tricky at times.

There is a full explanation about the descriptors etc. on the gov site

Hazel_Angelstar desquinn or Mdaisy can probably verify what I've said about not basing it on your worst days.

FMAUK have benefit advisers as well

[Vixen04 in reply to WF2k]

The people who assess clients at their assessments are fully aware of the fact that conditions fluctuate and should not be accusing anyone of lying as it opens them up to lawsuits. I worked for the department & still speak to colleagues and that is the info they/we are advised to give. That is why there are comment boxes where you can say if it fluctuates or not.

[releasethemagic]

Try the PIP self-test. Score yourself at the lowest level you can fully justify, as the assessors are never generous. Be very harsh on yourself. pip-assessment.support/#act...

[Pearce1940oscar]

Talk to your dr as it was my dr who said I needed a blue badge and pip and got the forms organised for me I wouldn’t have thought to do it for myself but my dr was right as I have deteriorated over the last 5 yrs and I’m very grateful