I am new to this site and very happy to be here. I have lived with RA for 33 years (only 26 ) when first diagnosed. I have now been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia as well and also osteoporosis arthritis in my knee and back. I also have COPD but this doesn’t bother me too much and I have inhalers, I used to receive DLA lower care foe life but got my letter for PIP and was so stressed I told them I would not be applying so my benefit was stopped. I work part time 4 days a week and travel 44miles round trip to work. I was thinking of applying for PIP as I have been so unwell for about 8months now and on a stage 2 sickness at work so only get SSP. I am terrified of going through the face to face as visually I look ok apart from my hands being slightly lumpy. The whole thing is really scary but I would like your opinion please. Do you think I should just go for it as I have nothing to lose really and being 60 now I am struggling all the time to remain at work. Thank you for your thoughts with this
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Typsey
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I would definitely go for it: nras do v good booklet that walks you through it. Yes it’s stressful but so is this & what have you got to lose? A year ago I was in your place & since have got pip & small ill health retirement; so glad I went for it. Best of luck x
Happy to welcome you here Typsey. There are quite a few of us here who are awarded PIP, myself included. I wouldn't be overly concerned that you don't have typical outward signs, not all of us do. I'm convinced what helped me gain higher award at my review than initial PIP application was written medical evidence from everyone who has any dealing with my conditions. So if you collate as much as you can to include with your application form, answer as each descriptor asks you to you have as good a chance as anyone who does the same.
I think if you ask even the most confident of us we all found the thought of the face to face scary but keep reminding yourself you're not there for the good of your health, you're fighting for what may help you, in whatever way that may be, help at home, buying things that will help you cope better, whatever will make your life easier.
If you need any help you can always ask here, check the NRAS guidelines on applying for PIP (hard copy or download) nras.org.uk/publications/ho..., the Benefits & Work website or your local CAB office.
I hope some of this helps & you find it helpful being here. 🙂
Thank you nomoreheels for your advice. I will get aS much info as I can. I usually keep letters from consultants and have my original letter were I was granted the dla for life so I’ll include a copy of that as well. I’m gonna speak to my doctor and ask if he can give me a letter explaining how this can affect my daily living. He may do it or may not but worth a try. I’m so happy I had replies to help me with this. It’s a very daunting but I’ll bit the bullet and go ahead. I’ll check our NRAS as well for the booklet.
You're welcome. You are entitled to ask your GP Practice for copies of all your medical correspondence, it's free of charge, they can only charge you if you ask for further copies of what's already been supplied but you'd have any more you might need copied yourself anyway. Don't go back too far, 3 or 4 years should be enough. Your GP may charge for a letter, I didn't bother asking as mine had been advised that letters from GP's are no longer considered. Also, when you return your completed application form (you'll see it's postage paid) I recommend paying the extra for Signed For. The DWP will text you to say when they've received it, just gives that extra peace of mind for little cost.
It is daunting but if you don't try you never know & we'll be here to support you.
So kind if you. Right I will ask for copies from doctor and send in with the application and get signed for. Thank you again sooo much your giving me the courage I need. Take care 🙂🙂🙂
I won't wish you luck because luck has nothing to do with it, just answer honestly, don't underplay anything (because I know we do tend to!). I also hope you don't have to wait too long for your face to face & you're allocated an assessor who has an idea of how RD affects us.
Yes I think you should go for it. You have earned it and you obviously qualify; Like you I didn't proceed with a claim years ago, having just been successful in my recent claim I wish I had. I am 57 and now unable to work.
Thanks for the advice Montys-Mom. I am going to apply I’m jus tinconsultation with my doctor as I’m not too good at the moment and just need to sort this first than I’ll do it. 🙂🙂
The form is quite daunting but I used the Lisiux Trust, they filled it in for me as I couldn't write, then ask for a letter or report from your Docs etc.
Yes I have looked at it on the NRAS site but they do have good advice to help you. I keep all letters I get from hospital and I’m gonna look online at my medical reports as we can do that now. Still terrifies me though but I am stronger now I have all this helpful advice from you lovely people. Thank you 😊 I
I’ve shared before the ‘politics’ of disability payments. I know first hand from a retired GP who worked on the Appeals Panel and even though she is ‘die in the wool’ Tory she was so appalled at the tactics used she resigned.
- They would actually prefer us to go away and die so they don’t have to pay us
- The initial interview is often conducted by a non-medic as they have to pay real doctors £35/hour.
- If you go to their assessment centre you’re on CT camera from the car park all the way to the room you need to find; they will often point you to a parking space as far away as possible and ensure you’re monitored coming up at least one flight of stairs.
- There main objective is to turn you down to save money; this is both because it’s done by a PFI like Capita and also somehow they have to recoup the £35/hour paid to the panel. You most likely will be turned down at the first interview BUT 60% of those decisions will be reversed at the appeal hearing.
- The money they try and save is more than wiped out by the cost of appeal - it is a political nod towards their voters, a great majority believe we are lying, playing the system, shirkers etc.
- they psychologically try to make you feel as though you are in the above category.
- they do understand the stress we feel about the whole claims process and they feed on that to try and make it worse.
I know lots, lots more. There are a few good professional people on some of the tribunals like my retired GP friend - however I congratulated her on her principles but told her that perhaps her going public would have a far greater impact than anything I could say; alas this was one step too far for her.
This, from the Benefits and Work website/newsletter makes my blood boil:
"FOURFOLD RISE IN COST OF BENEFITS ASSESSMENTS
Whilst times continue to get harder for claimants as the prime victims of austerity, it’s turned out to be boom time for Atos, Capita and Maximus.
The cost to the state of benefits assessments for PIP and ESA has risen from £112.8 million in 2010/11 to £449.3 million in 2017/18.
That’s a fourfold rise in income for the private companies at the heart of the welfare reform agenda."
I felt similar to you, that the effort involved in applying and going for a face to face interview wasn’t worth it as I didn’t think I would qualify. But my husband said what have you got to lose, they’re taking your DLA away anyway so we sat down and went through everything in detail ( The Benefits and Work website was a great help here) and got together all my consultants letters. It took a lot of energy and I got quite upset when looking at and writing down the difficulties I have but it was worth it as I did get PIP. I had so convinced myself I wouldn’t that it still hasn’t really sunk in. Good luck and come here for support if you need it x
Hi Typsey. I wish you well too. You must apply. You need it as so many of us do and you deserve, it not least since you have struggled for so long. I have just received my brown envelope for my PIP review. I'm dreading it as much if not more than last time I applied for the first time. However, being unable to work, being 62 and having my state pension denied by the government till I am 66, I really have no alternative. Good luck luv xx
Yes me too. I have another 6 years before I can claim my pension. It’s hard to keep goin after working since I was 16. I keep telling myself there must be more to life than this. So I’m going to apply and do the best I can. Thank you 🙂🙂
Hi Typsey definatley apply.Like most of us you will feel very nervous about the whole prosess but just say exactly how it affects you in your day to day living.You are having problems with work and yes the face to face is uncomfortable but just remind yourself that you are entitled to be there i was very nervous but my husband was with me and i was awarded P.I.P what choice do you have.Wishing you all the best.x
Thank you beeckey. Fingers crossed I don’t get too nervous and mess up.🙂🙂
Hi Typsey I know exactly how u feeling. When I applied for mine and when for my face to face appointment people around looked much worse than me I kept thinking. But when asked the questions...you just have to be honest anf not even exaggerate. Ur problems seem much worse than mine. I was quite surprised I received my letter saying I'm going to receive PIP and I thought to myself im glad I went. So you've got nothing to lose..go for it!
Hi Sid I’m glad u got what you deserved. After reading posts I think a lot of it depends on your interviewer and wether they understand our condition or not. I hope my goes like that . Thanks for your comments. Take care
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