PIP positive outcome

[Brief_Encounter]

Hi all, I wanted to add here my experience of applying for pip because I found it hard to find positive reports when I was thinking of applying. I’m not saying it was all a breeze but in hindsight it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting from reading online stuff, and now I regret not applying 5 years ago because I’ve missed out on money that really could have helped my family through some tough times.

After a 16 week wait I was awarded enhanced daily living (12 points) and enhanced mobility (12 points) for 3 years without any MR or appeal, and with a paper assessment. My main disabling condition is Fibromyalgia but like many of you I have other comorbidities that affect my daily life.

I only found out I was eligible to apply for pip when I was helping a family member with their own application. The negatives I experienced were:

1. The form is long and difficult to fill in. It took me 2 weeks to do it.

2. It’s soul destroying and depressing having to acknowledge and describe in detail all the many ways you need help just to get through the day.

3. I had one experience of trying to phone the DWP, getting through after 45 minutes then being cut off when I was half way through a sentence.

4. I phoned up for the assessors report which they promised to send but it never arrived.

5. I didn’t receive any text updates. Money arrived in my bank before I got a letter saying I was getting it.

6. The points awarded seemed totally random to me. 0 points on things I really struggle with and points awarded where I think I manage OK.

In the end I didn’t complain about any of that because it was the best possible outcome. I have no idea why they did a paper assessment, I didn’t ask for one. I can only think they had enough information to decide without a phone call. I did write down every single thing I could think of and my answers were extremely detailed. As you can tell from this post I do go on a bit! Also I included 10 items of supporting evidence.

If you are wondering wether or not to apply for pip as I was for ages, then I’d say definitely give it a try. It was definitely worth all the headaches and anxiety for me. I’ve found other knock on benefits useful as well, like getting a blue badge. Also my family have had a shift in attitude which was unexpected. They are now surprisingly more sympathetic somehow. It’s like a light came on and they can see I’m not exaggerating!

[Welshcatlady]

That's wonderful news! Well done! x

[Buboo]

Congratulations. I have my pip video call next week . I am dreading it tbh.I have fibromyalgia and hypermobile elhers danlos as well as other issues and like 2 it took me ages to complete my application..you have given me a bit of hope..just hope my assessor has some humanity and kindness!!. Heres hoping!

[Brief_Encounter in reply to Buboo]

good luck with your video call. I believe that there must be some nice compassionate assessors out there, they can’t all be bad! Just take your time and don’t miss anything out and I’m sure you will be fine. I’m crossing my fingers for you xx

[Fra22-57]

hi there I also got a bus pass years before pension age so that’s worth a try too.You have to renew it every year thou…

[Brief_Encounter in reply to Fra22-57]

That would be very useful! Thank you for the tip, I’ll look into it xx

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Glad to hear your good news 😊 And thank you for the positive update It really helps .

We rarely get posts from people who do ok going through the process when applying for PIP.

We tend to hear more about members who were turned down. Which like you say can sometimes have a worrying and negative effect on people who are thinking of applying for PIP xx

Momo

[Brief_Encounter in reply to Dizzytwo]

hi, yes that’s what I found but I don’t know if it’s because people don’t share when it’s good news or if there are genuinely many more bad experiences. I would love to hear more success stories if it were possible!