Hi all is anyone getting PIP and working ??

[Bazzypants]

Hi all I was wondering if anyone on here is working and actually getting PIP I have not spoken to anyone who is. Or has anyone been refused it who works ? sorry to be nosey guys xxxxxx

[Hidden]

Hi Bazzy, I've applied for PIP...so no actually receiving it... But I'm still working, the way I look at it if a bit of extra help when I'm most needing it keeps me in work so I wouldn't have to claim anything else if I had to give up then why not apply...Having RA can be expensive as we know what with adapting our lifestyles, replacing footwear etc, medications. I still work at the moment with uncontrolled RA only as I've had assessments at work and a fairly understanding Employer. I thought I couldn't apply as I was working but I know a few people who get it, they are working and encouraged me to apply. Who knows if I will get it but weighing up the options, working keeps me sane haha!!! Good luck if you decide to go for it...PIP decisions now are made for short or long term awards so it may only be awarded for a time that you most need it anyway but I'm not totally sure on that. Best wishes x

[Bazzypants in reply to Hidden]

HI kiki11, thanks for responding that's my problem I find the medication so expensive and I would also like to be able to get a buss pass to help me get around when my husband is working. I only work part time so when it comes to getting my meds I don't qualify for free prescriptions because I am not on benefits. Good luck with your claim keep me posted would be interested to see how you get on. xxx

[earthwitch]

Not PIP, but I've had no trouble getting DLA while working.

[Bazzypants in reply to earthwitch]

Hi earthwitch, I was not aware people got DLA while working glad you did, I am learning so much from you guys thanks. xxx

[abannister]

I also get DLA while working, it was to be a lifetime award, but I will have to apply for PIP in 2018. All the distances you can walk have been halved to be awarded mobility part, and the length of time someone helps you is doubled to get awarded care part. I will loose my motability car and not be able to get to work, they want to save on the welfare budget but why pick on us, get the lazy b's who have never worked in their life... Sorry ranting. Good luck with your assessment.

[Bazzypants in reply to abannister]

Hi abannister, well said they pick on the wrong people those that choose to go to work despite obstacles they may face get the back last of the lazy good for nothings. xxxx

[lush100]

I have applied for pip waiting for my assessment appt but I work f/t it is expensive to adapt your life. So I thought why not. Good luck and apply. If you don't ask you don't get. Give it a go.

[Bazzypants in reply to lush100]

Hi lush 100, good luck with your claim why shouldn't you get it I am going to try for it to. xx

[Crazyjo in reply to Bazzypants]

If finding meds to expensive try getting a pre paid prescription card. It saved me a fortune.

[2plus2]

I was awarded the standard rate on Thursday this week! So a big thank you to all those on here who told me to give it a go, as I wasn't sure, I work full time that it was worth going through the medical interview part and it was hard thing to admit that I wasn't coping with daily tasks. But anyway I reached the correct score and was only 1 point away from the top level.

I contacted them first in September for a form, sent that off, medical with ATOS middle January, I rang up last week ATOS said it was on its third round of quality control!

Then letter this week it will be reviewed in 2017

It was backdated from September when I made my first contact with them.

For me it will help with paying for things that I have no choice in, I can't buy a pair of cheap gloves in the winter I need expensive sheepskin ones as my joints need the warmth otherwise the pain is horrible. I can't just buy a ten pound pair of shoes I need properly fitted supportive shoes and these are expensive. I could go on but having RA can be very expensive.

Good luck and Hope your assessment goes well x

[Hidden in reply to 2plus2]

This is brilliant news for all of us struggling to cope with working and applying for PIP!!! :). It would be great if you could and wanted to put up a post about your experience as there doesn't seem to much about the PIP experience on here? I have found lots of info but not on here sadly about personal experiences... we could all add to it then to help others in the future? Congratulations on being awarded the extra help you deserve and need xx

[2plus2 in reply to Hidden]

Ah thank you, it was this lot that made me go ahead and apply, I did have good supportive letters from the hospital, OT and GP.

Make sure you keep a copy of your information you sent in as they will be looking to check what you say is how you act. Re read it the night before because you will need to mention bits on it that they don't. It is a test in the real meaning of the word.

The worse part for me was talking about it, I work, I put a smile on my face and get on with it regardless of how much pain I feel. So my work colleagues were as surprised as me that I got awarded it. But as my husband said they don't see you when you come home and go to bed without tea as you are so exhausted, they don't see you crying in the night because you can't get comfortable or how frustrating it is to admit that you would love to go for a walk in the sunshine but you just can't keep up with everyone else.

Sorry I'm rambling, but I'm sure you will understand .

Just because you hold down a job doesn't make your arthritis go away.

[Caoimhe3427 in reply to 2plus2]

I have received a 2 year dla top rate care and mobility since January 2014. I will have to apply for PIP in January. I work full time as a ward sister but am seriously thinking of reducing my hours as I am finding it exhausting. Luckily I have a very supportive manager and occupational health department and am considered disabled under the disability discrimination act. I often work from home in the mornings as I find it difficult to get motivated, difficulty moving due to pain and am so sleep deprived only sleeping around 2 hours a night and that's a good night. I have degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, prolapsed disc at L4S1, have had 2 unsuccessful disectomy and decompression surgeries and had a high frequency spinal stimulator surgically inserted last November. It works occasionally on the nerve pain I have in both legs and feet but does not help with the severe back pain. I can only walk short distances and have to stop and rest after just a few steps, use a walking stick for support as my leg can give way without warning. My job is now desk based but I cannot sit for prolonged periods of time. I'm worried I won't be successful when I have to apply for PIP. Pain is not always visible and assessors may not look at non verbal cues. I am on a high dose of analgesia, amitrypyline, duloxetine and need to take pain killers every 4 hours but I have not been pain free for over 5 years. Has anyone been successful after assessment for back and leg pain? Does everyone have to have an assessment for PIP if had been on DLA? My gp is very supportive. I read that you can ask them to consider the original report from your gp. Is this correct? Also does anyone know if the assessors have access to your electronic care record where any appointments with specialists, letters to your gp, list of meds and xray and MRI results are kept? Sorry for being long winded but would love some advice. Thanks

[Bazzypants in reply to 2plus2]

Hi 2plus2 that's fantastic glad you got it and you have given those on here and myself some hope thanks for that you have made my day xxx

[2plus2 in reply to Bazzypants]

Ah thank you and a big thank you to everyone on here who pushed me to apply x

[Hidden in reply to 2plus2]

I agree with everything you and Lisa have said, why should we just because we work not apply for PIP, everyday is an ongoing battle and expensive!!! Currently I'm having to replace all my footwear...and no cheap shoes just don't cut it anymore!! It's a lifestyle choice at the mo... Work or a social life, I would like both but sadly not at the mo. I would advise anyone who feels they need it working or not to apply x

[Hidden]

Hello Bazzpants,

I don't know what PIP is, I would like to know.

I can't believe you can still work! I can't even prepare food for myself. I but ready made food. Healthily food salads, salmon, smoothies if it's not ready made I can't cook it. I use plastic ware and paper plates because it's to much to wash the dishes. I am a licensed massage therapist since 1994 but I can't do it at least for now. I plan my day when I wake up. I am not reliable. However, I do take care of both my parents and that is really to much for me most days.

What kind of work can you do?

[gilox in reply to Hidden]

Oh my goodness Abby11, you really could do with some help, I just do not know how you cope! Please talk to you doctor, nurse ANYONE in fact that can give you both practical financial help, I really feel for you,I am lucky in that I can do pretty much everythng as long as I take regular "breaks" Do look after yourself, Gentle hugs,Gillian.

[Hidden in reply to gilox]

Hi gilox, my rheumatologist is not very sociable and not very helpful except with medication but nothing for pain. The last flareup I just got over but during with no pain medication I just cried and wished I would just die. The depression that comes with a flair up is bad!! The nurses and the staff at the rheumatologist office are very nice and very understanding but there's nothing they can do when I have a flareup. However the Enbrel should be delivered tomorrow which I can take the injection immediately so hopefully that will help. I believe you have socialized medicine there? Here if you don't have the cash or insurance you don't get a whole lot to help I've sold some jewelry but it's getting hard. As I told by his pants I'm I'm licensed massage therapist I'm also self-employed and I can't do that now. And I don't know who would hire me with the condition I have. I wish you well too! Thank you for the gentle hug it does help.

[Bazzypants in reply to Hidden]

Hi Abby11 I agree with gilox you really need some advice and help with your RA where do you live?? PIP means personal independent payment its money that helps you live and with expenses, you can claim if you work or you don't work. xx Any work as long as you can prove it. xx

[Hidden in reply to Bazzypants]

Hi Buzzpants, I live in Florida United States I don't think they have that here maybe something different I have to find out. I just got over the longest and worst flareup thank God it's over for now.

[lisalockit in reply to Hidden]

Hi Abby11, trust me if I had a manual or standing up job I would never do it. Luckily I'm sat at a desk and am lucky to have an understanding employer and work colleagues!!!! The worst part for me is getting ready in the morning, I do have to rise extra early to get going and have times when I sit on the edge of the bed in tears because it's not happening quick enough!!!! I'm like 2plus2 and do always laugh and smile and put a brave face on it, but it doesn't always help as people don't realise how you really feel, I think they call it British stiff upper lip!!!! I do enjoy my job though, I did work full time a few years back but also suffer from Menieres Disease (another auto immune disease) so suffer from vertigo attacks and full time was just too much (something else work have been really understanding of).

[Hidden in reply to lisalockit]

Hi Lisa locket, Wow! I know it's got to be so difficult getting up and going to work. It's good you get to sit down during the day. I am so sorry that your mornings are so bad. I am a licensed massage therapist and there's no way I can do that right now. And I don't know if anyone would hire me knowing that I'm not reliable at this time. Thank you for sharing with me.

[lisalockit in reply to Hidden]

No probs abby11 that's the good think about this site we all get to share the good, the bad and the downright painful lol x

[Bazzypants]

Thanks Kiki11.xxx

[sparkle247]

I am struggling with spiralling costs of all my medications and physiotherapy that I fund myself, but I am just too scared to make that first phone call. I've heard it can take 15 minutes, a bit like an interview, or interrogation even? I am self employed so can work around my good and bad days, but because most of my days at the moment

are bad my incoming money is limited xx

[flutterbyski in reply to sparkle247]

the questions when you phone up are about your eligibility to apply, eg are you resident in the UK, what is your NI number, are you a British national - it's not really about your health and I didn't find it took very long at all, well worth making the call, although I made mine on the 14th October and am still waiting for a decision. I too fit work in during the good times - currently this equates to about 3 hours a month!

[sparkle247 in reply to flutterbyski]

Awww, thank you for that info. That doesn't sound so bad! I will try to summon up the courage. They can only say no I guess, so I have nothing to lose!

[hatshepsut]

NRAS have good info on PIP, and there is also the helpline to give more personal help.

It is important to know what benefots you are entitled to, CAB are another good resource, as are welfare rights workers.

Sounds to me that you might be missing out on your entitlements, Abby11, and you too sparkle247! Go for it , there is help out there, and on this forum. My mom used to say, if you don't ask you don't get. She was right, at the end of the day, if you're getting nothing, you can't lose anything. Might be stressful, but worth a shot!

Good luck! Mx

[sparkle247 in reply to hatshepsut]

That is very true! Thank you, I will try to summon up the courage to at least ask!

[lisalockit]

Hi Bazzypants I also work part time as an administratoor in a Estates and Lettings Agency and am currently in receipt of DLA indefinetely and have received since 2008. In September last year I received a letter from DWP to say this was now to be reviewed and was sent a loooong form to complete and return by October. I sent ths off and heard nothing until just after Xmas this year they said they were currently dealing with a backlog but would be in touch soon. About a month ago goot another letter to say they'd had all my medical records and would be in touch again shortly. Received another letter 2 weeks ago to say have to go for assessment and would get an appt come through (not had yet). I am currently gong through a round of Rituximab second half of this cycle on Monday as Anti Tnf Embrel stop working last year. Not been able to walk properly on my right knee for overv 12 months now and was given steroids last summer to get me through my holiday. The last round of Rituximab worked ok on my other joints but i fear my knee is too far gone now and shows damage on last xray, consultant said if still same in April may look at aurgical iintervention. Anyway I waffle too much, but can say I have dragged myself into work all these years even when at times i could have easily just given in, and think myself & others damn well deserve some help.for carrying on and wrking, RA is expensive, meds are expensive, comfortable footwear the list goes on. My advice Bazzypants claim, you have nothing to lose.

[Bazzypants in reply to lisalockit]

Hi there lisalockit, thanks for your input its much appreciated as is every ones on here, they make you jump through hoops to get this money and it annoys me because they want us all to work so why don't they just make it easier for people at then end of the day you cant fake RA. And it makes me so made that our medication has to be paid for if we work we should be on the exempt list make me mad that . xxxxxxxx I wish you luck with your claim.

[2plus2]

Everybody on here who have not tried for PIP please do.

The telephone interview was only asking basic name address etc details you can find the questions online and what you need to have ready to tell them and this is what they back date the payment from.

The form is long but using the NRAS guidelines helped, I also did a 24 hour diary as part of my evidence. Took several days as I find it difficult to hold a pen for along time.

The interview, just be you explain all the areas you need help these get you points that are added up to get your score.

The good thing is that there are other benefits that you may get (they sent a list with the award notice) so once you get one payment it may help in other areas. I've only just started looking at the list so other people may have a better idea.

It does take time and energy but so does living with RA!

Good luck everyone.

[Bazzypants in reply to 2plus2]

Great input 2plus2 xx

[Hidden]

What is PIP?

[Bazzypants in reply to Hidden]

PIP is personal independent payment , its a benefit you may be able to claim xxx

[Blakejess]

It's shocking that pip ask if u can use a computer and then base the answer on well if u do I could possibly work, because pip should not be means tested but that's excatly how they assess claimants it's all bollocks . U pay u stamp and insurance for years u become unwell or physically disabled and u practically have to beg to get any help back