I have to do a letter for the PIP Appeal evidence. How am I going to detail how my “disability” affects me! Two brain surgeries, left with chronic pain and fatigue. Throw in the daily struggle with headaches! How the heck do I explain this? 🤔
Any thoughts? 😇
Get an organisation to help you, the CAB helped me, they know how to deal with PIP and the DWP.
My advice is get help with the letter. Citizens Advice or Headway worker should have experience and the knowledge to include what may be needed.
I'm beginning to look like a salesman for this website in recent weeks (honestly I'm not).
I've found this site immensely helpful, in formulating answers, they also explain the points system that the DWP use for evaluation and where the points are allocated in your answers.
I was advised to give a snapshot of your worst days because in hindsight they happen a lot more often than we think.
Thank you. It seems a very complicated outfit and brain surgery, the unfortunate aftermath along with being classed as disabled still makes the whole process hard to manoeuvre. I will look at the link. Thank you 😊
Good luck with it. The whole process renders my brain to jelly. I was lucky that a friend of mine worked as a welfare rights officer for a law firm that specialised in Brain Injury claims. Her first recommendation was to make my wife my 'appointee' to the extent that the DWP won't talk to me at all. I've only ever had one interview with the DWP and that was in 2003. There's always the 'threat' of of one every time my reapplication comes round, then they seem to back off nearer the time. Maybe it's because we always include reports from my GP and whoever I'm seeing for therapy. This current re-application has letters from my GP, Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist and Occupational Therapist.
I'm not sure if it might be worth phoning round some law firms with Brain Injury experience to see if they have someone who deals with welfare rights.
Hi thanks for that but I cannot afford for a lawyer to help. I’d love to be able to pass this on but alas not! My gp and neurosurgeon have said they’ll discuss my health situation but only if pip ask and pip says it’s not in their “remit“ . So Denice CAB is going to help me next week with an appeal to their appeal! Just is stressful, upsetting and down right hard going for me with this brain damage. Hopefully they’ll be kind. Here’s hoping! 🦋
I don't think you have to pay legal costs, we didn't use the lawyer at all.
The welfare rights friend worked as a 'loss leader'.
Lawyer's first consultation is usually free, you might also have a pro bono law centre in your nearest city.
Ok thanks for that I will look into this further and discuss with CAB next week during my support meeting 🌻
I joined that last year when I was told that my DLA was ending. Bit of a waste of £20 tbh because I declined to apply for PIP. The guides about descriptors and how/where to score points should help significantly anyone who wishes to claim. In no way is it easy though but those guides give you hope.
My husband is post head injury PIP is a nightmare. I looked at citizens advice online etc.My sister wrote a statement giving her experience with my husband eg he doesn’t visit leave home etc. I also wrote a diary to give an example of his weekly issues.
Any friends or relatives can write statements
I feel for you PIP is soo upsetting stressful and can set you back weeks.
I hate having to apply for pip and can see why folk don’t bother or find the whole process too complicated and stressful. Thanks again for your reply 😇
Pip ask specific questions. A daily diary definitely can help.
Explaining pain and daily activities and limitations every few hrs
Eg Monday. 6 am. Woke up in pain
9 am. Unable to eat due to pain went back to bed
12 am lunch. Was unable to make lunch due to organisational skills .......
Thanks for your reply. Over what period do you suggest? I know you are supposed to give a worst day scenario. It’s hard to put “this” into words.
I Just gave 2 weeks. It gave insight into worst weeks
Hi. I can recommend calling the Scope helpline on 0808 800 2244. They can give really good help with this, they were great with me.
I wish you all the best. 🙂🌸
Thanks for all 🦋
The best of luck with this. I shall follow with interest as I'm awaiting a decision from PIP after I asked for a mandatory review. What stage are you at? I didn't do a letter, I phoned them up. Are you further along the appeal stage than I am?
I’m past the mandatory bit and now at the appeal bit since second attempt failed. Have an appt on the 3rd with benefit support through this group and they are going to help me with this. I’ve had contact with them previously and they’re a lovely bunch of people 😇
My husband was turned down twice for PIP even though he’d been awarded DLA for life. We had no recent medical information as he is no longer receiving treating for his head injury, which happened over 30 years ago, even though he still suffers with the after effects. We paid for an up to date report from a psychologist. (About £200), got copies of his original medical records from his GP for free and then hit letters from family and friends to say what they noticed his issues are, especially on bad days . I think you can also ask Headway for help as well as CAB and other charities that support those with disabilities. He got his PIP, back paid to December and he won’t have to reapply for 10 years. So it was worth it in the end but a lot of work and worry.
Statements from family friends really help.GP doesn’t really know you as well.If you are on meds but don’t want to take them state why.They always look at the meds you take and judge that.
Yes Headway will help with forms
Good advice we were given was ...
If asked Can you walk 50 yards ? Do not say Yes ...but I might get dizzy /tired / fall over ....always say No then explain why etc
Once you answer “ Yes “ you have lost any points in that subject
Can you prepare a simple meal Dont Say Yes but I might set the kitchen on fire ....Say No I am not safe to do that
They ask can you wash / dress yourself ?
You dont put ...Yes I can but I dont remember if I had a shower yesterday
You put No because I don’t remember if I have had one or not ..
My husband would wear the same clothes for ever If I didn’t tell him to change them And he always says” I had a shower yesterday” whether he did or not !
He will often say he is starving hungry twenty minutes after a huge meal ...because he does not remember having the meal ?
He looks perfectly well and capable but his memory is none existent ...He starts doing a job then comes in for a drink and completely forgets what he was doing Nobody looking at him would ever think that there was anything wrong with him at all
Last time we got dragged in for a “ medical “ he would not answer the woman when she asked him several questions He just kept looking over at me (and she had already asked me not to speak )
I asked him why he was not answering her questions he replied that they were f@£&ing stupid questions and she was a fat ugly bitch and he wanted to go home ! I had mentioned his inappropriate use of language and the tendency to say things that were hurtful or nasty !
You have to spell things out to these PIP assessments
It can feel a bit harsh sometimes but these people are paid bonuses to “ fail “
the applicants which is totally wrong and immoral I M O
Good luck x
Thanks for that. I had a laugh out loud to the inappropriate comments bit! PIP is a stress builder. The whole process makes me anxious. I’ve got an appointment with support group tomorrow so hopefully get it sorted. 🌻
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