hi it’s been 3 years since my TBI, I’ve recently had to attend a work assessment at a medical centre and they’ve came back and said I’m unfit for work due too my TBI and other ailments I have, now the UC I get per month is nowhere near enough to live on and I’ve been told to apply for pip, does anyone know if this is a straight forward application or any advice would be greatly appreciated
Mark
Applying for PIP is relatively straight forward. You need to make sure you fully describe every impact of your illness(s) rather than just putting one or 2 word answers. So instead of simply saying "fatigue", add in how it affects you. Likewise, make sure you include things that don't necessarily occur all the time but frequently enough that they have a detrimental effect.
I would suggest contacting a charity relating to your issues (e.g. Headway, RNIB) and getting their advice and they can often support you through the application.
If you have a face 2 face meeting have somebody with you. It's easy to forget something. Likewise, don't let your pride get in the way of telling them how you struggle.
Lastly, gather your evidence as to why you are unfit to work as they will want to know who said it, why they said it and how it affects your claim.
Good luck,
Rich
Hi, Basically pips is straightforward , and complicated at the sane time.
The form is straightforward it's how you answer that can be complicated. Make sure you answer fully, not a brief description. Take it you are explaining to an alien that has no concept of normal life .
Also take things on your worse day possible. Not how you are feeling at that moment.
Get help if you can CAB, Headway, etc. Be ready for being turned down, you probably will. You can appeal and will probably get a face to face. Take someone with you, let them know if you need help whilst there, or need to take breaks.
Lastly don't give up. Few get pips first time on application ,most on appeal do.
All the best,
Pax
Hi, I had no problems when this happened for me but I had only been out of hospital a few weeks and had help. I am due for a review soon, and to be honest am panicking because I've had no help from nhs and a lot of my symptoms are not visible, it's worth a try, PIP people are mostly helpful
As with all these things, think worst day, not best day.And, if you have a face to face - take someone with you and do not rest up,- make sure they see not your best day.
Leaf
Hi
I wrote a longer explanation for you but it’s disappeared! A brain injury will do that to us. Sorry out of energy to try again but
Best advice I’ve found is here
I would add to my previous post, ensure you include anything that puts you at risk of harm, for example forgetting about food under the grill, crossing roads safely.Most people will make mistakes like these but quite infrequently. The grill is my nemesis as I have had it on fire several times. So when they ask "can you prepare and cook a simple meal?" consider it in 2 levels. Can I prepare and cook a meal BUT, can I do I it safely. Setting off smoke alarms (which we all do from time to time) is different to flames licking out of a grill.
Good morning Mark
It sounds like you're already half way there as well as having some good advice from others here.
You had to attend a medical - the Universal Credit people arranged that?
Basically you failed the medical?
There will be a report from the medical people prepared for Universal Credit which they will have seen - you need a copy.
It is amazing to me the Universal Credit people do not talk to the PIP people, I mean they are both working in the same area - I know from experience they don't.
My experience is do not under any circumstances try to fill in the PIP booklet (it's not a form and it is terrifying) yourself. Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau - they are very good and have had training about this. If you have good contact with your local Headway group get someone to go with you to CAB.
As you've already had the medical for Universal Credit that may be enough. If PIP still require a separate face-to-face again ask somebody from your Headway group to accompany you. If you have a local Brain Injury Service get them to back you up as well.
I know all these things are stressful but try to treat it all lightly, there is stuff that happens in the process I found quite amusing .... but don’t let them know that!
I was told everywhere I looked the process would take a couple of months once the face-to-face had happened - 1 week for me. I had unseen help which I'm not supposed to know about or understand - that is why you need help from the system as described.
Best wishes
Michael
No idea on pip thought d make u laugh though?! TBI left me visually impaired, had to see a DWP doctor too, he said I was fit for work too. 6 months later went to appeal, needed 6 points for long term benefits, was awarded 13!! Back dated so I could repay my parents!!
Hi Mark, my advise is not to fill it out on your own. Someone at the CAB told me the form is designed to slip you up. Someone I know who works on the phones at DWP told me the same.
Jim
Look at benefitsandwork.co.uk/ and if you do need to attempt the form then £20 (if you can afford it) for their guide would be money well spent. I was intending to claim PIP when I lost DLA but chose not to in the end. The explanations and examples in their PIP guide could help to avoid disappointment and/or future grief.
PIP
PIP
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Pip!! 
PIP?
