PIP : Hi.. I don’t know where to ask... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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PIP

Needsleep profile image
42 Replies

Hi.. I don’t know where to ask this question so wondering if someone on here can help...

my PIP is up for renewal in Feb and I’m already worrying about it... I have fibro and cfs and now diagnosed PTSD ... do I have to fill all the forms in again and another interview... I’m dreading that already again too... thank you in advance xxx

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Needsleep
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42 Replies
Sarog72 profile image
Sarog72

U should be ok don't worry my husband pn pip they just extended his 4 2 years x

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Sarog72

Thank you... I’m worrying myself sick because I really won’t be able to manage without it... xx

Sarog72 profile image
Sarog72

Try not to worry I know its hard sure they will give it u

Rose54 profile image
Rose54

Hi

Yes you will have to complete forms again

Good thing is at present it telephone interviews only

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Rose54

I guess on some levels that’s good but how do they assess your walking ... I didn’t realise it at the time but at my assessment she watched me walk in and out.. in a fashion on sticks that kill my arms and back and couldn’t even make it to the room without having to stop a couple of times... xx.

Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

the renewal form is different from the original form - but covers the same descriptors and asks if there has been any changes. However - it is important that you ensure that you answer the questions with as much detail as your original application ... because the assessors/decision makers do not have access to your original form and only see what you have put in the renewal.

I've heard a few stories where people have lost their awards because their condition has not changed any since the award ... so they returned the forms saying there was no change, and not any further information/evidence.

assessments are still being carried out by telephone - but i've also heard of more paper based decisions being made without an assessment.

fma uk benefits helpline can provide guidelines on applying for pip - 0800 999 0055 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00-12.00) or email benefits.advice@fmauk.org

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Hazel_Angelstar

Thank you xx

mummymax9 profile image
mummymax9 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar

Hi I just had my assessment last Monday and the assessor told me she has read my original form and that the decision maker compares the forms and her job was to see if anything had changed,she went through each question X

Viking2030 profile image
Viking2030 in reply to mummymax9

My assessor said she did also which was a load crap, she read it off the screen she was not a nice person all the misstroughts and not putting down my naswere properly. She refused to let me record it even thought I was told it was ok and the assessor will no we are rec it, alother load crap, she refused point blank. I was in so much pain and stress. When I read her report it sent me into meltdown and my mental health went off the charts Nearly a year on and I am still fighting with the support and help from Fightback4Justice they really are great caring supportiive people and there website has mountains of help ful doc's.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Viking2030

Aw so sorry you experienced all of this... I have to say my assessor first time round was lovely... she truly empathised... id record it anyway if your on the phone they won’t know ... I’ll go look on the site you mention .. thank you xxx

mummymax9 profile image
mummymax9 in reply to Viking2030

That’s shocking yes suppose there are ones that lie ,I personally recorded all of mine x

Viking2030 profile image
Viking2030 in reply to mummymax9

the assessor would not let me even after DWP said yes and it cost me £50 buying the equipment I was gutted, she told a load lies and if I was recording it she would not have lied. I am waiting for my tribunal date which I am terrorified and feel sick when I think about it. Thanks for taking the time to reply bless you. AMO

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep

Thank you .. yes I think I will give them a call.. not coping with worrying about this on top of everything else xx

ritzy123 profile image
ritzy123 in reply to Needsleep

My pip end date was due in Feb.21 too and I have just received a letter from dwp saying it's been put back to Nov.21 if that's any help...x

Kazz26 profile image
Kazz26 in reply to ritzy123

Hi I received a letter saying they was putting it back until June 2021 no need to worry then this morning got the renewal forms to fill out

CM1EDSUK profile image
CM1EDSUK

As mentioned above the PIP renewal is shorter, but you should give as much detail as in your original PIP claim, just add extra pages at the end referencing the question, & adding your name & National Insurance number at the top of each page.

Some assessors do appear to look back at an original PIP claim from what I've read, but this isn't always the case.

Phone assessments seem so successful that they are likely to continue, &, again as mentioned, there are some assessments that are based on paper only, but expect a phone assessment.

I would ring the PIP enquiry line (0800 121 4433) to find out more. They are open from 8am. By now you should have got a PIP renewal form, & altho initially PIP reviews got initially extended by 6 months, I have also heard of people getting longer extensions in the past couple of days.

Please also ask for written confirmation of any extension.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to CM1EDSUK

Thank you I will do that today xx

My revie is due this month I rang them yesterday I was on hold for an hour, when I got through the dwp told me I will receive the review form in April 2021.

Don't worry I know its stressful but as someone said earlier treat the review form as if it was your original claim. Some people just put no change and are successful and others are not. Send as much evidence as you can. I'm sure you will be fine.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to

Thank you xx

Billybass profile image
Billybass

Hi I’m new on here but my pip is due for renewal in February but just received a letter and they have extended it for another year due to covid 19 so try and not to worry

jeevan05 profile image
jeevan05 in reply to Billybass

Hi, mines renewal was due August 20-20 but they extended until February 20-21..

Hopefully may extend a bit more as not a nice process as I suffer with lupus..

jeevan05 profile image
jeevan05 in reply to jeevan05

Hi, I have lupus my pip was going to end August 20-20 but extended until February 2021 today I got a letter saying they understand I may still need pip if my circumstances are still the same. And to give them a call as they just need to ask a couple of questions. Have you hear anything just worried about what questions they may ask..

Kazz26 profile image
Kazz26 in reply to Billybass

Yes they said the same thing to me in the letter till June 2021. But received renewal forms this morning have to be back by November 12

neilwaud1969 profile image
neilwaud1969

My PIP is due for renewal in April 2021, and last week I got a letter stating it had been automatically extended till 2022, and unless my health condition has deteriorated significantly, I should wait until my 2022 date. It wouldn’t hurt ringing the claim helpline and checking, have your letter with award details at hand first.

If I may also ask others a little question?

Since my award, my Fibromyalgia has worsened quite considerably, to the extent that I am on long term sick (6-monthly fit-notes, getting UC, on Codeine, Lyrica , Paracetamol and Morphine so cannot drive) and now Divorced, should I contact them anyhow, as my circumstances Have definitely Changed?

Many thanks in advance,

Neil.

helen100768 profile image
helen100768

My renewal was a few months for PIP my forms came through not giving me long to fill them i had no help from anyone first time and when came through I was really stressed I rang them explaining it takes me time to do forms as I can't concentrate so they gave me extra month. I only had to put if things had changed, then couple of months later I had a telephone consultation and at end they said I would hear the next week and I got a letter to say I had been awarded it again. Im not sure if because of current situation but that was it for me.

Good luck I had stressed myself out badly for ages working out how I would survive without it in worst case scenario. Worst thing about fibro is its something else people can't see so they don't understand but stress is not good for us

-s44 profile image
-s44

Hi - I had to complete my renewal at the start of lockdown. I completed the booklet (kept a copy by taking photos on my mobile) and was fortunate not to have any form of interview and was successful with the claim

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to -s44

That gives me hope lol thank you xx

juiceter7 profile image
juiceter7

Hi, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and wrongly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia before that as some of the symptoms are similar. When it comes to PIP the most important thing is medical evidence from doctors, consultants, therapists etc. Especially now that f2f are no longer possible. If you find it hard to mobilise using sticks then say you can no longer move around as it’s too painful to use sticks. But I can’t emphasise enough the importance of paper medical evidence . Try not to worry and the best of luck!!

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to juiceter7

Thank you I’ll do my best lol xx

Farmerboy profile image
Farmerboy

Hello, the DWP are automatically renewing, extending present award up to a year. If you have received a renewal pack fill in ASAP and the same if you have applied for a change in circumstances. These will be either paper based assessment or phone depending on the information, evidence submitted for renewal or changes in circumstances.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Farmerboy

Hi... thank you, I haven’t received anything yet xx

Twinkle26 profile image
Twinkle26

As I understand it you phone the pip number and tell them you have other conditions now and you fill in the form to add on your new conditions. Ask them about your renewal but I’m sure they are extending the timeline by around 6 months or more.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Twinkle26

I’m going to call them this afternoon because mr nerves are in shreds xx

Suewillis profile image
Suewillis

My current pip was up for renewal on the 2nd October in July I received a letter saying that my pip would be extended to April 2021. Then at the beginning of August I had the renewal forms so filled them out and sent back. Only a few weeks later I had a letter saying that I had a telephone interview which since then to be honest I have been so stressed out. I had the telephone call this morning and she was literally on the phone 20 mins so I don't know if that's good or bad. My daughter is my carer and she was with me for the phone call but she didn't get a chance to talk or anything. Now I'm even more scared x

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to Suewillis

This whole process is abusive and causes so much fear and stress... it’s not fair.. these conditions are never going away and we have to justify ourselves constantly... I only really had the help and support of one person.. my best friend but she is terminally ill now... so I have no one really that understands .. my family are as much use as chocolate fireguards and have never even read up on my conditions... some days I just want to close my eyes and not wake up.. xx

Twinkle26 profile image
Twinkle26 in reply to Needsleep

I have 4 grown up sons all living their life with their own families. I’ve now decided to not expect help from them, I do what I can when I can and am learning to say no when asked to help others as I have in the past.

People wether family or friends may not understand or even think to help, stop expecting them to and you won’t be disappointed. The system is there to help us, many of the people with power are there to either make us out to be liars and mark us as fit or are there to help us as best they can at least for purpose of getting pip.

Don’t get disheartened by this as we can only really count on ourselves. You have your daughter to help you so make it your job to teach her how this condition effects you but also things you need help with. I don’t have a carer I suffer most days as I have osteoarthritis in both shoulders too lol I can’t even do up my bra or pull up my clothes without pain. Today I’m having a bad day and am aching all over my body.

Use the help which is available in your area. Advice services are there to help with forms too, and if you don’t get it this time, you can appeal. But always try to be positive, good luck x

Brenda1960 profile image
Brenda1960

It's something we all have to go through. Make sure you keep details of your application especially your answers to the questions. Then use that for any renewal. It takes much less time and so much less stressful. Just remember to update, dates, medications, diagnoses ect....

bluebabybird profile image
bluebabybird

A website called benefits and work really helped me with my assessment. It cost £19.99 and you have loads of access to government insight. Worth it to put you mind at ease.

Needsleep profile image
Needsleep in reply to bluebabybird

Aw thank you.. I’ll have a look.. really struggling at the moment... xx

BarneyWhite profile image
BarneyWhite in reply to Needsleep

Hi, I know it’s really stressful , the worry that they just won’t believe you and will decline is terrifying. As I have had my Fibro for 13 years, I’m still receiving DLA, and am terrified when they get round to changing me to PIP. Locally for me there is a fabulous charity that have experienced counsellors who help by actually filling in the claim with you . I found out about mine from my council and the local CAB were good too. Wishing you all the luck this all happens for you without issue.

carollynn profile image
carollynn

Just tell the truth. Explain what u can and can not do on a daily basis. Interviews are by phone at min. No contact.

Xandria11 profile image
Xandria11

Hi Needsleep, can I ask what u originally claimed pip for? I saw you wrote ptsd did u claim for that & fibro 1st time round? I’ve just put in a claim for fibro / complex ptsd / chronic pain / bipolar under investigation with shrink & also arthritis. Have included letters from rheumatologist/ neurologist / psychiatrist/ psychologist but still thinking I haven’t included enough?

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