P I P decision

[Taylor68]

Hi, any advice please , to help my decision for PIP. Its just been turned down. I have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia now for over 20 years, I applied as a friend said I should try. I feel because I still work as a cleaner 15 hours a week , that was the reason it was turned down. Each day can be different , but I don't go a day without some pain. And I'm worse at night.

[Dinkie]

Hi Taylor

Sorry to hear you have been refused PIP. Have you requested a copy of the report done by the assessor ? If not phone and ask as this will tell you what points you scored and what the assessor has written. How long ago did they write to you? You have one month to apply for a MR (Mandatory Reconsideration) which is the first stage of the appeal procedure. Got through each question and see if the assessor has misunderstood or failed to record certain things that were discussed. During the MR do not accuse the assessor of lying simply say there has been a misunderstanding or error in recording correctly something you have explained. Detail is the key.

PIP is not given for certain conditions, it is awarded on how your life is affected day to day and it is not related to whether or not you work although of course if you are a marathon runner then that may of course impact on the decision! Many hold down a job and have the enhanced rate of PIP.

Sorry for all the questions but did you get help completing the questionnaire? It's very often not what you say but the way it is worded that will get the points awarded. It really is worth contacting either Benefits and Work, Turn2Us etc or one of the companies specialising in benefit claims. Also HU have benefits advisors to help.

[Taylor68 in reply to Dinkie]

Hi Dinkie, thanks for the reply. I have up to 15th July to send back the forms. My husband helped me fill it in. But maybe I need someone more professional, who would you recommend please .

[Dinkie in reply to Taylor68]

Have sent you PM

[22pagets22 in reply to Taylor68]

Hello if you live in housing association home they have benefit advisors who help with paperwork and guide you through the maze of pip good luck

[22pagets22 in reply to Taylor68]

Ps also ask for copy of report and always ask for recording of assessment so you can back up what is said against what is written

[Polly-S]

Hi Taylor, sorry to hear about the decision, but I think most of us have been in your shoes. I tried to apply twice and give up when saw the form.

The third time got standard on both, because my wording was wrong, was to sick to ask for MR.

Afterwards subscribed to Benefits and work website, its wonderful, lots of videos , articles and a forum.

Finally understood why given standard only.

Last year got even worse and reported "change of circumstances ", got enhanced on both now.

Reliably, Safely, Repeatedly - the 3 main words.

You may be able to do something, but are you able to do it again today? Are you able to do it safely? Etc...

Your job is physical and FM is limiting physical activity. You are working 15h only per week. Here you can explain that after a house visit you feel to sick, in too much pain, etc and you are not able to work again the next day. Not able to do your own house work.

Hope this helps.

Good luck

[Taylor68 in reply to Polly-S]

Hi, thanks for your reply. You have been through it. Its hard, I'm going to get some help from citizens advice . Take care .

[Poorwife]

Taylor don't stress 75% get turned over before tribunal..just appeal the decisions and they will offer you something probley the standard rate on both and turn that down and they will either give you full pip or the tribunal will. Once they five you thr first decision you will get back dated and than the tribunal will sort the rest out. Appeal and in 6 weeks you'll get it.

This is coming from experience and helping others. Most people five up after the first refusal.

My Mrs had Fibro and has full rate.

DO NOT GIVE UP

[Taylor68 in reply to Poorwife]

Hi thanks for reply. I'm not giving up. I just hope I can get someone to help fill the forms in with me. Take care .

[Poorwife in reply to Taylor68]

Like one of the members said there are charity's that can help you fill I'm the forms. You will have to do Mandatory reconsideration form. Just say why you feel the decision is wrong and eventhough I know you are unwell you need to milk it more. Its not fair what they are doing but I promise you there is light at the end. Xx

[Phgc]

Ask PIP for the reason for turning it down

[Lululemon22]

hi I am sorry to hear this, it is very difficult. Personally I think you should ask for a mandatory reconsideration and get help doing it. I used a charity called fightback but there are others and the citizens advice can help . Good luck

[Taylor68 in reply to Lululemon22]

Hi, I've got an appointment on Thursday with citizens advice, so il let everyone know how I get on and thanks 😊

[HappyHealthyGirl]

Hi Taylor68 ,

Sorry to hear that your initial PIP claim was turned down - unfortunately that's pretty standard and most people get turned down at first - they hope that it will put people off....but we know better! 🤪

Just see Mandatory Reconsideration as the next step in the process, and each step as an opportunity to provide more information.

There's lots of good advice from the others in this thread - it is all about how you describe your difficulties with everyday living.

As Polly-S said, it's all about showing that you are unable to do things "Reliably, Safely, Repeatedly".

I recommend that you have a look at this page from the Benefits and Work website on PIP - it's a really excellent summary and answers many of the things you've raised:

benefitsandwork.co.uk/perso...

Benefits and Work have some good free information, and then for a small annual fee you get access to detailed step-by-step Guides - it is really worth it - I'm not affiliated to them, just someone who has got a lot of help from the site over the years. 😜

Also, thank you for posting - the advice you get helps others in a similar position, and reminds those of us who have been through all that and come out the other side that there is hope and help available!

Further things that help: Take it steady, Do a bit at a time, Get your Info' in in good time, and Send it Signed For so that there can be no dispute about them not receiving it.

Hope all goes well,

🤗

[andyivy]

Hi, I'm in the same situation as you. Have Fybro osteoarthritis and angina- on morphine at night to sleep and got told I was only on low strength medication and was turned down. Have just submitted my MR after getting some help to rewrite my submission. As they say don't give up and fingers crossed for the both of us and always Keep Smiling 😁

[Taylor68 in reply to andyivy]

Good luck to you. And take care 🙂

[HappyHealthyGirl]

Hi again Taylor68 ,

I just noticed this Post:

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

It turns out that Fibromyalgia Action UK is "a professional member of Benefits & Work and can provide their guides to enquirers."

So you don't even have to join Benefits and Work, you can get their excellent Guides via FMA UK - check out this post and ask them!

The Guide that you most need now is the Mandatory Reconsideration guide.

Wishing you every success

[Taylor68 in reply to HappyHealthyGirl]

Thankyou very helpful.

[LunaBess in reply to HappyHealthyGirl]

thanks for this information