Applying for benefits

[Dendarling]

Hello all, I would really appreciate some help. I have applied for pip before but did not get enough points and the whole thing was very stressful. I have had fibromyalgia for a long time. Holding down my job is killing me. I clean big houses. I feel like I’ve been run over at the end of the day .can I go anywhere to get help?

[releasethemagic]

You can find out more about the benefits and concessions available to disabled people here on the Rugby Fibromyalgia Support Group website fibromyalgiarugby.wordpress...

Fibromyalgia is recognised by DWP etc as a disability.

It is worth trying again for PIP. There are guides that can help you with the forms. See my earlier post here healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Dendarling in reply to releasethemagic]

Thank you so much, that’s very helpful 😌

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

FMA UK benefits advisor can give information on benefits and signpost you in right direction for further help

0300 999 0055 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10-12) or email [e-mail]

Pip is based on how your condition affects you on a daily basis and what self care tasks you have difficult with, how it affects your mobility etc. However, from experience, I suspect that they would take your employment into consideration and that is likely to go against you.

[Dendarling in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you for the info Hazel, I can’t do the job I used to do, because I’m wiped out for a week after and I get ill. I’m going to ring tomorrow 😊

[Cat00]

I have fibro, chronic migraines, IBS, hyper anxiety, social phobia, very bad insomnia and more but because I can dress myself etc I don't get any points, even though I have migraines over 15 days a month.

[Dendarling in reply to Cat00]

Catoo aww that’s so harsh, I bet on most of those days you can’t dress yourself.

[Cat00 in reply to Dendarling]

I can it just hurts and I'm knackered. Mind you I can't work but that's not what PIP is for.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Cat00]

Then you can't dress without pain and it leaves you fatigued. Is there any organisation you could ask for help with applying again? Try the Scope Benefits Adviser, they have a freephone helpline.

[Cat00 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

They didn't care about how much pain I was in just whether I could do it or not. I'm knackered all the time so dressing doesn't technically make me knackered!I have chronic migraines and so for 50% of the time I'm having a migraine, they said they weren't interested in my migraine days just the other days and I can technically attend to all my care needs so I got 0 points.

I can't work in part because I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old and I have social phobia. Also I have a degree in fine art from 20 years ago (which essentially makes me unskilled from an employers perspective!) and I've only worked once for 8 months since I was 19, put all the pain on top of that and the other conditions i have and its hopless. Last time i got DLA I had to go to tribunal i havent got the energy to go through again. I'm 43 now with Brexit and Covid on top of that I don't think I'll ever get paid work! I feel so guilty I don't bring any money into the household.

[sexto]

Sorry to hear you have been turned down for PIP. It took me several attempts to finally get PIP. So don’t give up. Good luck.

[Dendarling in reply to sexto]

I will try again 😉

[Hidden]

PIP is a benefit to help you for care and mobility it's not down to your illness and yes they are stressful , if you think you deserve it you can ask for a mandatory decision .

[Dendarling in reply to Hidden]

My mobility is not good, I am struggling, thank you for replying

[Hidden]

CAB did everything for me (except the face-to-face assessments) & were really supportive through the whole process. I applied for ESA first but it was stopped after I was deemed fit for work after assessment (despite having a "certificate of permanent incapacity" from work OH). Got PIP at first attempt then ESA reinstated & put in "support group" after Mandatory Reconsideration.

Couldn't have done it without CAB.

[Dendarling in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Floofer, I will try that too.

[Libbyloo2005]

I used Benefits & Work website to help me fill in PIP & ESA form. The guides were invaluable and I was successful in getting PIP, enhanced rate for both for 10 years. Please don't give up. You may also be entitled to universal credit, depending on your income. It is daunting, but needs must. Good luck!

[Woofles in reply to Libbyloo2005]

I too used the B&W website and it was very helpful. Worth paying the joining fee to get access to the step by step guides

[Dendarling in reply to Libbyloo2005]

Aw that’s brilliant, thank you so much for your help. I’ve managed to phone them today they are sending me the form to fill out 🌝

[Dendarling]

Thank you 😊

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes. Phone the

Scope benefits helpline. Ask the Benefits Adviser to post you copies of the 'Daily Living Activities " scores and the 'Moving Around 'scores .

Is it more than 12 months since you received your Decision / refusal ? How much more? Are you considering asking for a late Appeal?

As soon as possible phone for a claim form. This will be dated the day of your call & your claim will be from that date.

Keep phoning the freephone number till you get through, start calling just before the line opens.

You can contact your MP if you think your refusal was unfair. You can contact his/her local office & ask to speak to a Caseworker.

After the initial decision you should have asked for a review - for your claim to be looked at again. They call this a Mandatory Review. After this you then apply to Appeal.

If you are starting afresh then keep phoning till you get through & ask for an Application Form.

[Dendarling in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thank you Mary, I was so upset with decisions and unfairness, I didn’t want to go again, plus my friend came with me .

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Dendarling]

Try not to take it personally, I think they treat people badly to put them off applying for PIP / benefits. It's best to stick to it , go through all the stages on to an Appeal.

Get help ftom your MP if needed.

[Danlos166]

Hi you can also look at benefitsandwork.co.uk. If you sign up they have lots of useful information about filling in the pip form. I have managed to get the mobility side just appealing to get daily component. Unfortunately they do twist what u say so u have to be very clear when it comes to your interview of how Fibro affects you daily. Hope this helps

[Dendarling in reply to Danlos166]

Thank you Danlos , that’s very helpful, I will check it out, yes they make you feel intimidated, and more stress. I hope you you are successful with the daily component .