I have posted before about doing a PIP Appeal as I have had two applications declined with zero points. Now I am filling in the appeal form, I have evidence of my hospital admission, the consultation, and the Occupation therapist from 2019. But alongside this, I have letters from my work employer who has referred me to an Occupational therapist again, a doctor's letter saying I am suffering from Chronic Fatigue and has referred me to the clinic, as well as a letter from my friend who takes me to hospital appointments. Is this going to be enough evidence for the appeal and is there any specific words I need to use as well? For instance, I can't go shopping due to the amount of people and noise, find it hard to socialise again because of the noise and I can only drive in the daylight and for no longer than 45 minutes. it's impossible for me to drive in the dark oor bad weather due to the concentration, it makes my head feel like I have a vice around it. Can anyone help? thanks
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chrissycornwall
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I await my application but a friend has been successful and said they seemed to be keen on hard data regarding how many times a week you can do something. For example if you say you can drive 45 minutes is that every day and is it in familiar places or new places.
The point system they use is crucial. If you can only drive 3 days a week and only using a device to help you navigate, it will score higher than saying I can drive for 45 minutes.
a person who can drive 45 minutes is independent but a person who can only do so 3 times a week, in daylight and with help may score points
The tip my friend gave me was to honest but also to make sure you tell them about your worst case scenarios and not an average.
I found the citizen's advice template very helpful. And also once I'd completed the form I checked it with the local age UK office who offered feedback citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...
I'd agree with being specific about how often you are unable to carry out the tasks they ask you about. I applied for PIP for my partner and he was awarded the full amount without even being interviewed (though we've now been waiting since April for the outcome of his 3 year review).
Phrase everything around what you can't do and how many times a week on average you're unable to do it. Rather than say 'I can do this some days but other times I struggle' base it on your worst day, describe how that impacts you and then quantify it with 'this effects me X days a week'. Build everything around the negative, depressing as that is, so you don't give them a positive to focus on instead.
Include if you can do something but need someone to remind you or help you to do it (for example my partner has severe memory issues though is physically fine, so he can wash and dress and eat etc but if I don't remind him to do it he won't). Include anything you use to help you carry out any task for example pill dispensers, phone reminders, task lists, other people to assist you with managing any aspect of your life. If it takes you considerably longer now to complete tasks, state how much longer and how often this effects you.
They are looking for you to be able to carry out tasks consistently and safely every time. If you can't do this, be clear that you can't. You don't need to talk about when you can do things, they already know what that looks like, concentrate on what you can't do and why.
I am doing the same as you and haven’t all medical evidence from the beginning of my accident but night up to date . I have included separate statements from people who know me from the gym ( as they have taken that as I’m well enough to go to the gym and not listen to the fact that I hold the wall ,these statements are from the fitness instructors . Also from a councillor and weekly sports massage I have to elevate the pain which is coming up to 4 years this November ..
keep supplying evidence , go to tribunal which I am doing Go to citizen advice , They stopped mine in January 24 and although I have no idea how this will pan out I am not giving up as this system is appalling . I have also contacted my local MP who has contacted me and I will be meeting with him sometime in the future now that they have set up in parliament .. not only have I spoken to him about PIP I also have said about the non existent rehab in Cornwall and the amount of private appointments I have had ..
please don’t give up these people need to understand what a TBI is and how if effects your life . Sue 😢
Hi Chrissy I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
I urge you to look at this website as there’s lots of advice on there and forums to ask questions. It was invaluable in getting my PIP and other benefits.
And if you are able to, pay for the membership which is very reasonable I think, as you can then get the very detailed guides for every stage of the process.
As others have said, PIP assessors are looking for % markers - in other words, what % of the time do you have problems - because this is how they make the assessment. Eg. For 100% of the time I can’t make my own meals , if someone needs a carer to prepare meals. Or for at least half the month I’m bedridden with fatigue and I need someone to help me afterwards to help shower and dress me. That kind of thing.
Also- how SAFELY and Competely are you able to complete tasks is another thing to look out for. Again using the % of time marker.
What TOOLS/EQUIPMENT do you use.
Absolutely concentrate on your VERY WORST day and work back from there. Don’t say you have ‘good days’ because I think everyone else would agree on this forum - that OUR ‘good’ day definitely does NOT equate to those NOT affected by brain injury!! So it paints this inaccurate picture in my opinion.
So if you are able to drive 45 minutes, they will see that as that you can drive and get about independently (and so you would score zero). But if you can say how few times you can manage that, eg only once a month, and only because you need to get to hospital appointments as you live on your own, or there’s no public transport or you can’t do public transport due to sensory overload, and that driving leaves you bedridden for days after, that may score points, if any of that is genuinely the case for you. (Just examples to show what I mean…)
I really feel for you but please do visit that site.
in short your not the only one im awaiting a second tribunal date that’s taking so long I think they’ve forgotten me. I have written letters from neurologist, head brain injury specialist at general hospital, Gp, occasional therapist but they have made their decisions on a phone interview with an assessor that is medically inferior to make these judgments plus I have Brain Damage I get lost in conversation. I’m tempted to throw myself in the English Channel and become a drowning mute to get help.
Although evidence about your condition may or may not help in some respect it's about what you can't do, why not and what prompting/supervision/assistance you need, if any, to meet the descriptors. The activities need to be completed reliably, safely, repeatedly and in a timely manner. If you're not answering in that way then sadly you will likely score zero points. Explain your worse days. Don't try to be nice and accommodating. It's tough and no fun I know but those are the facts of the matter.
I put in an application for my partner following his head injury and whilst he was still in hospital as I was advised to do so when I rang about claiming ESA on his behalf because he was cognitively unable to do so himself and it looked like the level of injuries would leave him significantly challenged at that point (and this is the case). The lady on the phone who advised me there was a 26 week wait said the earlier you get the claim in, the least time you will have to wait when he is discharged. As part of that process for ESA someone actually came out to the hospital with a view to interviewing him. I cleared this with the hospital medical team who had never heard of that happening before. However, when she came to the ward she remained outside of it stating she had a cold and didnt want to infect anyone so I guessed it was a ruse so they could check the validity of the claim. However, the lady was so informative regarding what he would qualify for and how to make the claim (because at this point my head was all over the place and we were 3 months into the hospitalisation). The advise she offered is to research the STAR technique and form your responses of how your condition actually affects you day to day based on that. My partner received an award of full top rate for mobility and and daily living in May (a mere 2 months after the application) however, the award was for 18 months and given that he was still in hospital at that time with no sight of when he would be discharged, I appealed it. He has since been awarded a 4 year award which is a more realistic timeline before I need to start the process again. He has only been in receipt of the payment for 1 month as he was only discharged in August but at least I now know that I dont have to revisit this until 2028 based on the appeal being that even the neuro teams do not offer a new base line until 3 years post discharge.(I was so heavily advised never to challenge a full higher rate award but 18 months award when he was, at that time still in hospital seems ludicrous especially because the claim process restarts a year before the end date of the award which means I would have been restarting that claim now, for next October) . I would advise you to research that STAR technique. It helps to round up your responses with a beginning, middle and end and keeps your focus on the effects on you. Also, when they ring to interview you, ask them to refer to the detail in the form for your responses. You do not need to give further information at interview, youve already given them, plus examples in your claim.
Good luck in getting the support you need. I am stumped that this is made to be such a challenge when TBI patients are dealing with so much more besides.
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