Hi everyone, my PIP form has arrived. What are your top tips for filling this out? Of course, so many of the questions aren’t wholly relevant (for brain injury) and I feel that I’ll be putting lots into the Additional Information section. Also, did anyone have family members write a statement? What kind of things did they say?
Thanks all, wishing everyone the best day possible!
Would recommend having statements from any family or friends or anyone that helps you with anything. Documenting what you needed help with, how you struggled with tasks or forgot about them. How they have reminded you about health and safety aspects of everyday activities. Give examples of your worst days. Unfortunately you have to leave out any positives, both on the form and statements.
If you have any medical documentation about your injury, send a copy of them as well, to strengthen your claim.
Be prepared to take it to tribunal.
Hi, I'd agree with Plenty. Think of each question as if it is about your worst day. None of the questions are there to trip you, but they are not straight forward either, you really need to focus on what makes each area difficult compared to how you would have completed the task if you hadn't experienced your injury. There are questions that sound fairly innocent, like can you cook a meal, think of all the steps involved, there will be things that are no longer straight forward, with me I have to take each step one by one, if I try to think beyond that then timing goes out the window, so I end up with a variation of burnt to raw, I can easily end up with something that is inedible. You can get the assessment matrix from the government website, this will give you how each area is weighted, and how they add up to give the give the overall score. If you can get citizens advice, Headway, etc to help complete the form I would advise you to. Supporting statements need to include how the person is involved, how they deliver direct care, or witness your struggle, just being a relative or friend isn't enough. I hope you have someone to support you, I usually find these forms challenge my own reality on my lot, and can be quite a downer. Good luck 🍀
Thanks PB, it was really helpful about the matrix and how they score each question. I also discovered ‘benefits and work’ website where you can take the test and assess yourself. I did the test and then Got mum to do it and she came up with similar responses and some different ones where she scored it higher than I did and she explained why she did. Helpful advice about the supporting statements too. Thank you very much.
I completed the PIP and ESA forms for my partner who suffered a TBI.
I made use of the resources on the independent Benefits and Work website (benefitsandwork.co.uk) for the more detailed guides for have to make a payment.
As others have mentioned the more help you can get from those experienced in the process the better.
As already mentioned in other replies it is important to make clear what you are capable of on your worst days.
I kept copies of all correspondance and photocopied the original form, which came in handy in regards to the ESA form as the first one I sent they claimed not to have received it.
Another tip is to request 'proof of posting / Royal Mail Signed For' from the Post Office.
Good luck
Many thanks Pumpkin, I have made use of benefits and work free information so far which is very helpful. And good shout about getting proof of posting too. Thanks again.
Get as much help as you can filling in the form. Try Citizens Advices website & Headway may have tips too.
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