PIP FOR FIBROMYALGIA

[mo222]

Hi all, contemplating wether to apply for PIP. I tried around 6 years ago but wasn't successfull after tribunal I found the whole procedure very stressful. My symptoms have become worse I don't know if I want to go through it all again. I also have CFS, depression, anxiety/social anxiety. Any tips would be appreciated, if I was to be turned down I know this time around i wouldn't be able to face tribunal.

[crackersgem]

You could, but didn't get it for fibromyalgia, but when I got rheumatoid arthritis, I tried again, and after trying 4 times, I was at long last successful, miracles. They say they acknowledge fibromyalgia, I don't think they do. I never went to a tribunal, as I couldn't go through that, I was bad enough. Good luck if you do try again.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi, only you know if you can cope with all the form filling and going through the assessment.

The thing to bare in mind is it does not matter what you are suffering with. You are assessed on how your health is impacting you on a daily basis.

If you are needing help with care or mobility you have nothing to lose by applying for pip.

Momo

[caninecrazy]

Hello mo222 , i too have been contemplating applying for PIP for sometime, the process also puts me off but i have reached a point where working is becoming too difficult. x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

You can contact our benefits team on 0300 999 0055 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00-12.00) or email [e-mail]

They can send you guidelines on applying for pip

[CM1EDSUK]

Hi mo222 - I'm sorry your symptoms have worsened. As already mentioned, PIP is not about any diagnosis, but rather how your disability affects any of the 12 activities of daily living &/mobility. Have a look again at the activities/descriptors that are looked at with PIP:

cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset...

As regards Mental health issues, this link is also helpful in completing your PIP claim form: mentalhealthandmoneyadvice....

Try & give a couple of recent, detailed examples as to the difficulty you face for each applicable descriptor, i.e. when did it happen, where, what happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity?

Say if you can't do an activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes you much longer than someone without a disability. See this mentioned at the end of the first link above.

You can ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to ask for extra time to complete the form, & you will be given another 2 weeks without question.. Keep a copy of everything 'just in case,' & get a free Certificate of Posting from your Post Office when sending the form off.

[Hidden]

Hi I have RA, SS and fibromyalgia plus other conditions but it's how these affect you when applying for PIP. I found a site called Benefits&Work and they are marvellous so worth having a look at that. Good luck and never give up.

[CM1EDSUK in reply to Hidden]

Nothing the matter with Benefits & Work other than they charge £20 per annum & advice is freely available on the internet.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Hidden - we are B&W's partners and can provide thier guides as required as well as the advice from people that have previously been CAB advisers and a wealth of expereince with fibro and benefits. Email [e-mail] and they will help you out.

CM1EDSUK the advice is freely available on .Gov site but I would say the B&W's guides are a lot more helpful and the focus of info is much better. Alse the guidance is correct and up todate from them as opposed to some of the other advice you can get elsewhere

[CM1EDSUK in reply to desquinn]

Sorry, didn't know you were B &W partners; if this is anything like Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, then they made B & W's guides available to members who asked. I agree the B & W's guides are most informative; I use it exclusively if a person suffers from epilepsy as regards PIP as then the 50% 'rule' about a person's disability may often not apply. My concern was that some members may be unable to afford info from B & W as often people with disabilities have little spare income.

Just to note, I would never completely rely upon the gov.uk site as it can be incorrect, & doesn't always give sufficient detail. There's always pipinfo.net/ entitledto.co.uk/ which has a good benefit's calculator & advicelocal.uk/ for a person to find either a Citizens Advice or a Welfare Rights Office nearby for example. It is indeed very important to have someone who understands case law & appreciate that the DWP have ADM (Advice for Decision Making) guides, but that's all they are, just guides.

There's much incorrect info on the internet, but also much freely available; it's pointing people in the right direction that matters.

Again sorry, didn't know what benefit's advice FMAUK provided, but have been meaning to ask. Please know the advice I also give (mainly about PIP) is not done lightly, but rather from what I've learnt from various sources over the past 3 years.

P.S. may you also provide me with an up to date B & W guide as regards PIP as mine is for June 2018, thank you.

[k77a]

I was turned down , several times because l was so overwhelmed, from the forms and really , couldn't put it together how to word , things .However this time , l contacted CAB & got them to help , with form filling .l also had to postpone , sending form back & contact them , just due to the stress , fatigue of really thinking , about the answers .

I did this several times & whilst it made me stressed .l think it was also a lived example , how fatigue/ pain affects me other stuff . I also watched some YouTube , videos on filling out pip form & one was really helpful that talked, about watching coping mechanisms.l constantly play my symptoms , down In real life as a way of coping but for filling out the form. I was brutally honest , and also l requested , up-to-date, medical records, that stated l have severe fatigue & other stuff .l.got Dental records too as l wear mouth shield, every department.l.also had a lovely lady on here, who l messaged privately who helped me, word it again.

I stressed post malaise , exertion & pacing over & over again. I also had a letter my dad , wrote stating how the symptoms, affect me . And was in shock that l awarded it, l had the phone call whilst in bed.

I listed all my aids, everything l buy, adjustment wise, appointments l am waiting on , treatments l pay for privately .My advice is list, everything really think it through.

[Fibrogirl2]

Hi mo222I applied for PIP last year got turned down. Then I asked for another look and they turned me down again. The assesser lied and twisted everything I said. So I got in touch with a solicitor/barrister who deals with tribunals. I felt finally I was getting somewhere then I received the letter of tribunal. I emailed my solicitor, and they said yes wait on instructions. Then 3 days before my tribunal I had a letter from my solicitor stating hes cancellation notice as he wasn't willing to take the chance 50%. So I was so stressed I decided that I wasn't going to go. The receptionist from the court called me to see if I was going and I said no I couldn't face it by myself, she was extremely nice and explained alot to me and said she was going to call me the next day so I could sleep on it.

So I went expecting I wasn't going to get anything, I was wasting my time and getting more symptoms as I was getting myself in a state.

I walked in and had 3 people there, a judge, Doctor, and another lady. The judge made me feel v comfortable and he said weve decided and the decision is you're successful. I was shocked. So my hearing took about 10mins and I'm so glad I went as I wouldn't of got it. Not only that il have the money now instead of giving half to a silly solicitor that was spose to be there for me. So that's my story and this happened Friday just gone. So I don't know my actual payment but something is better than nothing. So yes apply and If you end up like I had to go. The assesser is not your friend, I told the truth but she didn't, so if u don't get it straight away and u believe u deserve it as your suffering with your illness go for it.

Xxxx sorry but had to tell you and everyone my story. Xx😘🤗

[mo222 in reply to Fibrogirl2]

What a stressful ordeal for you but well done for not giving up. So glad you got the outcome you deserve. I know myself going to tribunal 6 years ago how nerve racking it can be, I know I couldn't go through with it again as my anxiety is through the roof. Think it's so wrong you get made to feel like a liar, if only they could be in our shoes & see how difficult this condition really is. I've done the PIP form online my problem is evidence. I can get a letter from my g. p but other than that I don't have anything else I can provide. X

[Fibrogirl2 in reply to mo222]

It's really unfair, how we are made to feel this way emotionally and physically. It's wrong. But I see alot more people coming forward and the more we expose them hopefully it will make it better. It's all stressful and this was going to be my last thing as like u all my anxiety hit the roof and my body has suffered more the last two weeks than ever before. Have you been to physio, appointments for hospital etc. It's hard when u poor your heart out for help and they say No. 🙄. If on your better days see if u can get some help. There are some organisations out there if you feel up to it give them a call. But whatever you decide goodluck and we all have you on here xx But it defo seems to be to common that DWP like to turn newbees down. 🤗😊X

[JessFM]

I applied for PIP for Fibromyalgia, Depression, PTSD and Anxiety. I have just recently got my decision letter back and they shockingly awarded me no points! I have written a letter and going to keep a copy myself to see if they can do a mandatory reconsideration. All the best to you x

[mo222 in reply to JessFM]

Sorry to hear 🙁 to be honest I'm not holding out much hope I've been here before in the past, it went to tribunal & think I got 4 points which still wasn't enough to qualify I cried all the way home & felt so let down. No chance I have the strength to go through it again. I hope you win on your mandatory 🤞 & fight if you feel you can X

[JessFM in reply to mo222]

Thankyou very much, it is sooo stressful as i am sure you know already. X

[releasethemagic]

Take a look at my previous post here about claiming PIP. I hope you find the links to Free Guides helpful. healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[fmlife]

have you been writing a daily / almost daily / fibromyalgia diary, it will help you remember the worst of the worst days. and where your affected the most.