New here, help with PIP

[Lucelastic]

Hi, what an amazing space this is. Everyone seems so supportive. I've been diagnosed for about 4 years. Had an awful year at work in 2023 and now work 4 days to try and manage my symptoms but sometimes it feels such a mammoth task. I applied for PIP last year but was unsuccessful and didn't have the energy to appeal. I want to apply again. Where can I go for the best support with this please? TIA 😊

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., glad you find the forum helpful

[Smilesalot]

Welcome Lucelastic,Brilliant name🙂

Yassytina has the correct advice.

Don't give up hun

Hugs Dawn 🤗

[Ellenindigo]

Also cannot muster energy around PIP 🙈 Ironic that the people who need it most can’t manage the process, right?

[Libbyloo2005]

Just filling in the form is horrendous. I found doing a couple of pages a day made it easier. The website benefits and work have invaluable guides on how to answer each question. I applied before without using this and was denied. A year later I decided to reapply, used the guides, and was awarded PIP. Good luck

[Sheilamoose]

Only advice I can add is DO NOT underestimate your problems; remember you are dealing with a penny-pinching government department - The Department for Work and Pensions.If you do get turned down again, don't give up; I recently did an online course on advanced pain relief run by the Pain Clinic at my local hospital and about half attendees had FMA.

The best advice I can give with PIP (mobility) is to remember the distance you can walk is that before you say 'ouch' and have to stop (even for a few seconds); set the stopwatch on your phone and time your walk. Personally my distance is just +/- 35m before I want to reach for my Oramorph - so that is the distance I put down (even though I can walk about a mile total).

What it all comes down to in the end is 'navigating the system'. Beware of trick questions/words e.g. 'regularly', 'often'/'frequently' - Haley's Comet comes around regularly! I often... or, I frequently... - how often/frequent is that?

Also, refer to pain as 'chronic' (severe and long-lasting), rather than 'acute' (short-lived and easily treatable).

Don't be afraid to appeal. At my last appeal (to keep my PIP award (both components) instead of having to apply for AA, the DWP did not produce any evidence - case adjourned for 3 months. At next hearing there was still no evidence; case dismissed, my PIP was reinstated and backdated.

Fill your form in carefully (the internet version is very user-friendly) print it out and if you have a CAB expert in your area, if might be worth a visit to get a 'second opinion' on what you have said.

Good luck to you - the road to success may well be tough but hang in there; I wish you every success.

[Yogini25]

Hiya, i was told that most forms that are filled out by the individual get turned down...from a personal point of view, it might be worth getting help filling out the form from welfare advisor... CAB can help, along with other organisatiins. I got an expert to do mine, there is no way i could have articulared the way he did. The forms can be so over whelming . I am so fortunste where i live that we have several welfare rights charaties that can help. I hopw you have the same. He also requsted i had my interview over the phone ( which they excepted) Good luck