PIP

[Backy]

Just had letter asking to apply for pip. Has anyone sent letters from GP or other healthcare departments with the 40 page form. I spoke to NRAS helpline and she agreed that information is confusing.

[Hidden]

I didn't have any at time, just list of meds, short/long term diary etc. NRAS booklet on PIP was a massive help as is CAB on-line. It is daunting 40 pages, took me a week to fill in. Good luck

[Backy in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Kerena I have NRAS PIP booklet very helpful.

[Neverending63]

I sent letter from rheumy from my last appointment and then took another with me that I gave them at face to face. Good luck

[loppyloo12]

Any medical letters showing ur dignosis will be of interest and will speed up ur application xx

[ldwilliams]

get as much info as you can

GP letter (you may have to pay), any hospital or treatment centres that confirm/mention your diagnosis and How it affects you (contact consultants secretary if needed)

Get help completing the form from CAB or elsewhere

the form is looking for How your condition affects you in your daily life, Not the condition itself

[fusedesigns]

My OT wrote an excellent letter which I used for PIP and now ESA. Very good luck x

[premierscfc]

I used The Benefitsandwork site (you do have to pay about £16 for a year membership) as their guides give you all the information you need to send and keywords that the DWP look for in your application which can really make the difference in your award.

I agree with others that the more supporting letters you can get the better.

[wishbone]

My GP thought it was an unnecessary waste of time and money (approx. £8) to write a letter for my forthcoming reassessment, but did add that he would write a detailed letter if my claim was turned down. I sort of took him by his word, but just in case written proof was needed I decided to shove a couple of old appointments, hospital admissions and the odd letter from various consultants into an envelope to take with me. During the interrogation my assessor asked for copies of my prescriptions, which were required and in the same envelope as the above. Instead of handing over just the required prescriptions to the assessor, which I would have done, my daughter gave her the envelope including all the appointments etc. The assessor duly emptied out all the envelope's contents onto her desk and spent several minutes going through each item writing notes as she did so. So yep, it does seem important to take along as much written evidence as you can.

Oh, there was no need to bother my GP about writing a letter after as all went well and my daily living allowance was increased from standard to enhanced. V

[dippyd09]

I sent a letter from my GP and also from Rheumatologist. Before you send the form make sure you take a photocopy of everything you send in as they can sometimes lose them, if you have copies you will at least be able to look back on information you sent. Good luck.

[beeckey]

my gp surgery has a sign up saying they dont do letters for pip that the pip people will get in touch with them so i never bothered asking but i did send some hospital letters and repeat prescription. Good Luck

[BoneyC]

Send the Rheumatologist's letters that you should receive following every appointment. If you don't receive them, phone secretary and ask for copies to be sent to you.

[Hidden]

I didn't send any letters but gave them both my GP and Rheumatology contact numbers and addresses and that seemed to suffice. Although I have never asked I am pretty sure they were contacted. My disease is also not particularly invisible. It's fairly obvious. I hope it goes well.

[nomoreheels]

I've recently submitted my PIP renewal. With my first application my GP provided a supporting letter so I asked her for one this time too but she told me that she'd received information towards the end of last year from the DWP saying that GP's information would be disregarded, not read. I've not seen anyone else here saying the same but if your GP charges a fee for such things maybe clarify if yours has also been informed, no point paying good money for nothing. If he/she doesn't charge & hasn't had the same info include it anyway. I included plenty of info from my Rheumy, OT & such to compensate!

All the best for a positive outcome. Take your time over completing the form & don't forget to copy it & return it Signed For so you can check it online & have proof of receipt.

[Jay-bird]

I sent everything and now receive PIP. For everything you need to know - from the perspective of a claimant - go to this website:

benefitsandwork.co.uk

Good luck and be tough!

Jay-bird

[Dogrose]

I sent the routine letter you get with your diagnosis and medication lists and the latest consultant notes on or you can get a rhuemy nurse to print one off for you. When I asked my GP she said they don't write letters to send with your claim, you just put your GP's details and they will be contacted direct. Maybe because letters could be faked?