Claiming pip

[Michelleswshopping]

I'm struggling realy bad a the moment working and want to cut down . And phyicly can't drive anymore . So I've been told we can claim pip . And might be able to claim for mobility Does anyone claim pip or tried ? Is it hard to get .

[Hidden]

Hello,

Yes you can apply for PIP with fibro, but bear in mind that PIP is unlike the former benefit it replaced called disability living allowance in that the DWP will look at how the illness affects you, and not the diagnosis itself.

From my own personal experience dealing with the DWP claiming PIP on which I am still 7 months waiting for my telephone assessment is that you have to be prepared for a fight with them. It seems almost like they will do and say anything to stop you from getting the benefit so my advice to you would be to contact connect well, which are a department of citizens advice.

The advice and assistance they gave me in filling in the paperwork and general advice on how to claim PIP and deal with the DWP was invaluable.

If you need any more info, let me know.

Rich

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Hidden]

Thank u , for all that makes sense just donr no weather to or not try I new it might be a battle with them . I might try citizens advice I have nothing to loose on that one . Can't believe u have waited thT long . And way they are yet they give it to those who just lie through the system and not even that bad . Good luck and keep in touch with it xx

[ButtercupDaisy]

Hi there,

I work part time but due to Fibromyalgia and PsA increasingly struggle to do my job, look after my children, home and myself. After long periods of sick leave and running out of sick pay, I applied for PIP for the first time in March. I had my telephone assessment 12 weeks later and was notified in August that I had been awarded Standard rate for Care. I scored higher than I thought I would, being just one point off higher rate! I didn’t get Mobility rate but didn’t expect to.

My assessor was patient, kind and courteous; each person I spoke to at DWP was helpful as were those I spoke to at Capita when my application was delayed (turned out it had been chosen for audit). Too often we only hear about the not-so-good assessors and caseworkers, so please be aware not all are like that! The points awarded by DWP were fair and reasonable based on what I told the assessor.

I would direct you to the posts by @releasethemagic on this site. Their pointers to the Benefits & Works site were invaluable. It’s a lot of reading and preparation but without it I don’t think I would have got the award. Those guides definitely help you focus on what’s considered for PIP and put across how your conditions affect you in the way the assessors mark you.

Other things I did along with reading the B&W guides - I made a subject access request to my GP 2 weeks before applying. They provided a summarised print out of all my visits, diagnoses and medications so I sent this in with my application form; I also sent copies of rheumatologist reports confirming my diagnoses; asked my Occupational Therapist to write a report outlining how my conditions affect me; my husband wrote a letter explaining the difficulties I encounter and how that impacts my daily life; sent a copy of my work Occupational Health assessment which explained the reasonable adjustments that have been made to help keep me in work. All these things supported what I put on my form and what I was asked in the assessment.

Whilst it’s correct what others say that it’s how your condition affects you not what your diagnosis is, you should have evidence of the diagnosis and medications to back up how you are affected. Sometimes the side effects of my meds are worse than the actual conditions and the assessor had due regard to this - so explain that if you’re similarly affected.

Applying for PIP only cost me time, and has gained me £60 a week to make affordable those things that will go some way to mitigating the difficulties my conditions cause. But do your research first and provide adequate evidence!

Good luck with your application.

[Michelleswshopping in reply to ButtercupDaisy]

God u sound u have had it hard luv .thought I was bad . And have alot of family support which is good . And I thought u would need loads of evidence not surprise. They wlll do anything than to not give it . So u can still work with pip is that right ? which is good but not sure if I will qualify has my job is a support worker Nd don't wNt to give it up but I can't carry on like this most days are hard can't hardly walk or do my job . which I have to with my client and he's in wheelchair . So if u don't mind me asking the £60 u get is the lowest money I was told u can claim mobility not sure if I would get it then if u haven't. Has I'm getting to the point might have to give it up its so painful and the only wY is automatic . And it's costing me double for car the same reg what I have . So Hrd to no whT to do . Thank u for your help Nd support x

[ButtercupDaisy in reply to Michelleswshopping]

Yes you can work and still be awarded PIP. My issues are more upper body than lower - I can walk over 200m unaided so I did not expect to get the mobility component.

If you decide to apply, explain the adaptations you need to cope eg changing from a manual to automatic car because of your issues. My assessor asked this very question and detailed it in my report.

Good luck.

[Michelleswshopping in reply to ButtercupDaisy]

Thank u for that , just don't no weather to try for it or not for disability or claim for pip . Is it worth going for it or not ? Do u get much . I'm having to pay private for physio and costing a fortune then having to get automatic car is double price for just the same plate I have so it's either that and give up physio or stop driving and pay for physio I just can't fund both . What do I do !

[Cotswolds25121 in reply to ButtercupDaisy]

Thank you Buttercup Daisy, lots of helpful information 👍x

[Farmerboy]

Hello PIP is a state benefit awarded not on a disability or diagnosis or the amount of prescription medications you been prescribed. PIP is awarded on your inabilities to cope or manage the PIP descriptors /activities safely and repeatedly and in a timely manner. Doing a self test PIP assessment on the Benefits and works site will let you know how you would or might fair in an PIP assessment. If doing a self test be brutality honest with your self then you won’t be disappointed at the answer. Any information about your abilities will have to be justified at your telephone or Face to Face assessment. The assessment process in my own three assessments have been accurate except the last one where the HP presumed or assumed that because I use a mobility scooter and drive a automatic car I should be able to preform, manage and cope with the daily living activities. Having put in for a mandatory reconsideration of my award a 10 A4 printed outlining all my concerns for each descriptor I was awarded to enhanced on daily living and kept my full mobility award. Some people have high expectations of what they think they should be awarded but in reality they either only get the lower wards or refused . I claimed without any input from outside help but as I am a member of the Benefits and Works I used information I had learnt over the previous years. Keep copies of all documents and information sent.

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Farmerboy]

Glad u said that has I thought it went on yoyr condition. So its if u can do things I can't even get in the shower some days has my leg pain is so bad can't even lift it. I've ended up with bulging disc had well . That's it just because u drive doesn't mean u can do other things automatics are different arnt they so they should no that depending where your pain is that's why I need a auto.atic has pain is realy bad on left side Nd can't keep my foot down shoots up my leg. And starts in my feel . It will make such a difference to me if they could help so I don't have to pay for one . Bit I doubt I would even get that far . Will my job so against me with been a support worker ? Or could I just claim for mobility or can't u do that .

[Farmerboy in reply to Michelleswshopping]

PIP, is about how you cope and mange the descriptiors and activities safely and repeatedly and in. A timely manner. When applying for PIP you much give real examples of what happens when you try or attempt the descriptiors stating in detail why you are unable to do preform each activity, Irespective of your illnesses, disability or diagnosis no to people with the same disability or diagnosis are the same some of us are more able than others in.

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Farmerboy]

It's hard how they give the questions not on other stuff like how hard it is to do simple tasks like that's why iwanted to try for mobility has I can't deg drive now has I need automatic due to the pain . Would my job be against me I'm a support worker like carer ? Just don't no

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Michelleswshopping]

I scored an 8 but can't get mobility which I don't get cut even get In shower or dress properly didn't get medication question they don't explain properly

[Latics1989-90]

Hi I'm so sorry you are struggling

I can't really add much to what has already been said. I have many conditions as well as fibromyalgia. I was awarded standard on both. Since my last award my mobility has gone downhill this last month or so. I can just about walk between 10 and 20 metres now whereas on my last assessment I could walk 50m. I have pain 24/7, my knees are terrible. My last assessor was brilliant!! My hubby came with me. If you have a telephone assessment you can still have someone with you. They can say how it's affecting you. I had to take ill health retirement in June 2018. Work tried everything but to no avail. I'm still in touch with my friends from work. I'm like you and have a great support network, the support is invaluable. This forum is also brilliant !! I try to keep smiling because moping around won't change anything bu there are the odd one or two days when I get really down but then I think there are plenty of people who are worse than me

Take care

Lots of love

Lynne xxxx 🥰

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Latics1989-90]

Zound like u have had your struggles with it too and worse than me . I bet u was glad in a way not far from retirement . This is it I'm only 42 . And only got where I need to be in my work I'm a support worker and getting hard with my job which I luv . Dont no if work would even do much to help me stay in work . I just can't manage now and driving I' might have to give up or get automatic but would I qualify on mobile not sure or if I'm worse enough to claim. And with the job I do thank u for your help and support what do u think ?

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Michelleswshopping]

Hi

Thank you for your kind words. I was 52 when I had to take ill health retirement. Took me a while to accept but I know it was the right decision. I do think that you should apply for PIP but I agree, take the self test. I don't drive now, I stopped a few years ago because of meds, conditions and lack of sleep. I can literally zone out while I'm talking to someone!! I phoned DVLA quite a while after I'd stopped driving because I wanted photo ID, told them everything, they obviously wouldn't do photo ID (DOH , brain fog!!)they said it's a good job you stopped otherwise your insurance would have been nul and void. I'm surprised my GP didn't advisee to stop!!

Sorry, I've gone off on a tangent 🤣😂

Pm me anytime

Lots of love Lynne xxxx 😘❣️🤗🌈

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Latics1989-90]

I no this is why I don't want to take any medication I'm on amitrptyline but doesn't work I just get side effects like too drowsy and then I'm having to drive . U poor thing must have been hard to retire early . Do u claim pip I'm not sure to or not thinking of mobility has I'm needing automatic or have to give it up and can't afford to buy one . I can't believe how this illness has effect me so quickly well I've got worse this past 6 months .what about u luv . What do u get in symtoms ? Thanku so much foe giving me advise and talking together always helps . This is so amazing this site best thing I ever did ❤

Take care x

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Michelleswshopping]

Hi

You are very welcome

Yes I do claim PIP. I get standard on both but my mobility is so bad now I'm hoping I get the higher one at least in the mobility next time. I'm in pain 24/7 because I have many conditions which cause me pain, an hour or less sleep per night!! I do try to keep smiling because there are plenty of people who are worse than me.

I was wondering does anyone know if I should phone DWP up because my mobility has gone a lot worse?

Lots of love Lynne xxxx

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Latics1989-90]

Took pip test only scored 8 want be able to get pip needed more score but yet I can't do most things . It was on the walking bit . And distance so not enough but yet doesn't mean to say I don't have trouble I have to stop all the time I can't go even up a hill or short distance I don't think these question are right something else needs to be on the question so u can put further detail

[Latics1989-90 in reply to Michelleswshopping]

Hi

You could add extra information on a separate piece of paper and staple it to the form you have filled in. If you have a f2f they might ask you a question and then a bit later ask the same question in a different way to see if you give the same answer. This happened to me but I'd been told about this on here.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on xxxx

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Latics1989-90]

That's a good idea but I still doubt I will get mobility if I haven't passed the test . Thank u will do xx

[Aoibheann]

Hi, you must tell PIP that you are in constant pain and discomfort. Very important. Good luck. ☘️

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Aoibheann]

Thank u do I stand a chance ? has my job might go against me I'm a support worker . Pushing people in wheelchairs and hoisting . Or can u just cliam for mobility does it work like that?

[Michelleswshopping]

Right thank u might try the self test . And let u on how I get on what answers I get . So do u think I could get mobility that would realy help has I no way can fund off a automatic double the price. Other wise I'll have to give it up I'm even struggling to get in the shower with my leg pain . So will have to explain that too do they ask things like that . ? Have u managed to get pip how are u with symptoms ?

Thanku so much for the support and help

[Michelleswshopping]

Thank u so much so appreciate it , def do the self test thought they would ask all that . It's getting to the point I want go upstairs had it takes me that long can't even try with shower had I no ill be in more pain . So hard to no what to do worries with work has I can't give that up has I need the wage coming in . U sound like your going through it has bad has me . How do u no all this if u don't claim pip ? But I'm grateful . Just don't want to go through it all and then nothing . What should I do ?

[Michelleswshopping]

I did the rest and scored 8 so only qualified for standard but not mobility which I could have done with questions want wHt I thought . And more depth questions about your condition how it effects u in other ways . Like tasks, how emotionally it effects u , the amount I would get wouldn't even help towards my physio or a car . People get more on job seekers . It was worth a try and not going to even try to apply and lie through the questions . Some people would I suppose . Just thought I would let u no

[Michelleswshopping]

No I didn't qualify for mobility only standard for care scored 8 in total

[Michelleswshopping]

I thought so too but no . The questions should be more better than that should explain about if u wLking up stairs and how u manage , or only for so long . It's more on how far u walk in metres. Put it this way I can't go far and I need to stop with the pain x

[Michelleswshopping]

Yeah but they don't ask that on a question do they . And they obviously don't see it like that . Why don't they put about if u can drive no question on that at all . Yet they put about if u can feed your self but yet I need assistance with the 9ven but they don't word it like that just do u need help eating or making a meal to a point has my arm is pain ful so I do drip things . They need to see other side of it

[Michelleswshopping in reply to Michelleswshopping]

But I think my job will go against me with been a support work . The worse thing don't no how people get it . Has I new someone who COPD whe only has trouble walking not dressing or anything . And got mobility

[Michelleswshopping]

Why wouldn't u mention driving has its hard to do the idea is to get automatic like other has they struggle driving . So how come anyone with COPD passes yet they can dress them self's yet I can't and can feed them self Nd manage to cook has I no lady she can do more than me and yet has a blue badge but not car

[Michelleswshopping]

I o its a bad illness but they must pass on other stuff