PIP application

[Hysteria123]

Can you help me, I've made an application for PIP and my form has arrived. Aside from being the longest application for anything I ever seen, it asks for evidence. What evidence did you include with your application when you applied and how did you gather it? Many thanks in advance. X

[Amhoarten]

I got pip for my RA and all I sent was a couple of hospital letters which stated the diagnosis. The rest of the form just make sure you fill it in as if it was a bad day. Note down all things you use around the home to help you, things you have bought. I didn't write in paragraphs I kind of made bullet points and sub headings. Then take a photo copy of it all so that when you have your assessment you can refress you mind on what you wrote. Good luck x

[allanah]

Get some help. Call the Nras Helpline and they will send you a really good booklet that is a great help. .also CAB were a great help to me

When you send your firm back photocopy it so you have it, in case they lose and for reviewing your answers at your assessment meeting .

Send it recorded delivery to them as well .

When you have your interview ask them for the number to call for a copy of your report. This helps in case you want to object to any of the statements.

Good luck. X

[Spooky in reply to allanah]

Good advice re the phone number Allanah.

[BoneyC]

Look on Benefits & Work website, and join to access their PIP Application Guides. Collating documentary evidence for PIP is an ongoing thing. Everytime you see your Rheumatologist, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Physio, OT, Orthotics, etc. etc., ask for a copy letter to GP. If you don't receive them, ask your GP to print one off. This way, you have up to date evidence, ready for any claims. Good luck.

[nomoreheels]

Gather any written (typed) information you have relating to your conditions & how they affect you. So for example that would be your most informative or most recent report from your Rheumy (or Specialist Nurse/Registrar), Occupational Therapist, Physio, Counsellor, or you could even ask for a letter from your GP though there may be a charge for this. Or, if you prefer & you're seeing your Rheumy before your end date to return the form you could ask him for for a letter detailing how your conditions affect you. The DWP need to know how your condition affects you but the letter shouldn't be just confirmation of your condition or the meds you're prescribed. If you don't normally receive a paper copy following your appointments your GP or nurse should be able to print off them for you. Also a copy of your repeat prescriptions, you can either print that off your automated request or a copy of paper scripts will do. If you run out of time to submit any added paperwork you can take the copies with you to your assessment. The assessor will include them in his/her report to the DWP.

Take your time over filling in the form, it's a hard slog & can be tiring not to say upsetting if you're being completely honest, by that I mean not underestimating how your condition affects you. I was guilty of doing this, though I didn't pick up on it. My h was helping me & he suddenly brought out notes he'd been making since I first applied. It included things like what I'd asked for help doing, bad days v good days, when & how long I'd to sit when shopping, random things that happen through the day that you don't think about. Use the additional space to expand on anything appropriate in each section, I can't say enough that it's important for the DWP to understand all about your conditions & how they affect you. Remember as well to accurately answer the sections which include the descriptors "If you can't do this safely, to an acceptable standard, as often as you need to and in a reasonable time", even if it hurts your pride or shocks you to actually think what you can't do anymore. Being completely honest is important unfortunately, they need an accurate insight of how things are for you now day to day.

Once it's completed take a copy of the form & everything included, letters, reports etc & send it Signed For. It will cost because it's quite heavy but it's worth it for peace of mind.

This is the link to the download for NRAS How to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) nras.org.uk/publications/ho...

I hope you receive your appointment for your face to face assessment promptly. When it comes time to prep for that ask here again, we've lots of info & tips to share for that too. 🙂

[Elmo333]

There's a Facebook forum called A1 PIP ESA or something like that and they have loads of info and people that can help.

[freesthomas]

Hi. I've literally just submitted my form in the last few days and had loads of advice off this site 😊. Firstly, I would advise getting the NRAS booklet which is a great help. With regards to evidence, I contacted my rheumy, GP and Occ Health nurse at work to provide letters of support for me. DWP will allow you to send these at a later point - just mention on the form that support letters will follow your application form. My husband had to write the form for me because of the amount of writing, I wasn't able to. We went through it together and jotted everything down in a note pad first to make sure we had everything covered as fully as possible. I also included medical reports from an orthopaedic surgeon as it was relevant. I hope this helps. You will feel better once it's done and posted. I sent my recorded as I wanted to ensure they received it. Good luck x