GOODBYE DLA

[Cach]

Hi. After being in DLA (Disability Living Allowance) for approx 27 years with a Motability car, I've finally got the dreaded PIP ( Personal Independence Payment) form. Any tips and pointers will be gratefully received?

I'm dreading it. 💕😞

[Ruth12345]

My husband was on middle DLA for over 20yrs as has less than 30% lung function and often can't do daily things. He got turned down when pip review came. They said as he walked in slowly but unaided and bent to pick up the umbrella he dropped with no help he got no points because he can walk. That was last year and since then has had to give up work due to his health. Specialist has been telling him for 10years to stop work and he finally had to. He will be applying again. I would say think of your worst day and explain that. Don't say sometimes you can't..... If you search on this site there are a lot of posts with detailed advice. Good luck.

[BUDGIEBURDEKIN]

You just have to be truthful and treat every day as it’s the worse day because it could be your worse day, when I was put on the ESA, so I got less money than I should have because I didn’t get a medical to put my claim in, recently I received £1k, so don’t give up giving up

[charisma]

Best done with Welfare or CAB assistance, backed up with letters from career/spouse/specialists.

Best of luck.

[Hidden]

Good luck it’s not easy. Get your medics to write a letter mention your bad days only. I had a pip assessor come up my house it was humiliating. I only work 90mins a day and I struggle to do that and have had a lot of days off sick because I just couldn’t leave the house no mention of these things on my review only that I am well dressed , house nice and tidy and I held my dog back from licking her( wished to god it bit her😬)no mention of my husband who was there and imputing his views on how I struggle.

Really gather your information together from go,consultants, physio etc I did but it didn’t work for me so going to appeal. My consultant said it’s worth going to citizen advice and getting them to help. I should have done this before I started applying for pip.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Cach in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I hope your appeal goes well x

[Campaigner]

Hi there, you have enough to put up with, without this added stress.

I absolutely advise professional help.

I got this for my husband's application for dementia. You tell the truth, but they guide you gently in the right direction.

Good luck

[BoneyC]

Read up about the qualifying criteria on the Benefits and Work website, so that you know what they are looking for.

[Pulfs]

I made sure I sent photocopies of all my hospital letters and detailed what I struggle with doing and all the modifications done in my house ie. Walk in shower,higher toilets and extra handrail down the stairs,plus all my husband has to do for me. I got higher care rate and 10 points out of 12 for mobility which meant I lost my motobility car but can still have blue badge. I ended up buying my car from Motobility as it was only 3yrs old window mileage.

Just make sure you list everything and NRAS have a booklet on how to to apply,try not to worry and photocopy all the pages you send them. Xx

[Winnie53]

I'm currently in the boat as you 😕 I've got a guide from Benefits & Work website which seems very comprehensive and helpful. I'm doing a little bit each day on a copy until I've completed it then I'll check it again. Im putting lots of detail in and including copies of hospital letters. Lets hope it's a thumbs up for us both!

[Paisley58]

Oh dear the I know exactly how you feel. I was on the highest rate indefinately for 6years until PIP letter arrived.

It is so disheartening, given all we have to deal with, we have the added stress of being treated like lazy, lying, thieving, fake criminals. I suggest you get help from the C.A.B or a disability organisation. I discovered the last time I was here that the NRAS have a booklet which you can download or request a hard copy which explains what to do; also make sure you fill it in with the mind set of your worst day, your worst day is your bench mark. Photocopy everything, something I wish I had done. Send any supporting letters you have, copies of medications past and present, I even sent date and time stamped pictures of my swollen joints.

It makes me so angry the lengths we have to go through but that is whole point of PIP in my opinion to distress and destroy lives. I pray it all works out for the best and that your application is successful.

[Cach]

I took your advice and went to the CAB. Spent 2 1/2 there and the fantastic lady filled my form in for me and really helped. Next stage - posting the form off. I'll keep you updated! 💕

[NeonkittyUK]

Hi Cach, I have just been through this from April to last month when I changed from DLA to PIP. I was on the middle home care and higher mobility on DLA and after my PIP face to face I was awarded the enhanced rate for both for PIP .... but that actually is a reduction of approximately £350 a year. They gave with one hand and took with the other!

I was told by the DWP when I phoned up for advice on if I needed to request a doc/rheumy letter etc, that my application form was so comprehensive and my limitations so apparent on exam/observation that they were not pursuing a doctor or consultant request for supporting letter. So I would say copy the form and do a draft run ... or write out your answers on paper. Keep a copy/photograph it on a smart phone and look well at it before your interview. They are keen that you repeat what you tell them as it is proof of how you are, they say. If you match your form. However many peoople could have memory lapses due to nerves and not recall everything they have written, but try be consistent to what you have written on the form when you talk to them.

Be polite but I wasn't over friendly. Someone here who posted a while ago said that she made a pleasantry and the nurse put down something to the effect that the patient made jokes so can't feel that unwell!! Unfair. Also I have seen and heard that if you overdress for the FtF this doesn't help much. Even if you made a one off special effort they might think you are capable of dressing up all the time. My advice is not as they do report on what you wear and how you look. I wore a smart casual pair of check trousers and a tee shirt and loose long cardi and trainers. No make up and clean hair and she said my hair looked nice and how did I wash it?

Be you and be honest but also ensure you answer the questions as though it was a bad day. Someone here also advised me to say NO to the answers firstly .... I mean, if they say (and they will!) ... Can you make a simple meal unaided? I wrote and I said ... No, not by myself but I can make a simple meal when I am assisted and have someone open things for me/cut them up and lift pans. I said I was the organiser and supervisor of meals and my OH the hands on help. Be sure to answer VERY fully on the form. If they see .. No I can't ... it gives them very little idea. Give all the extra info you can on the additional space provided and add info on blank sheets and staple extra sheets if needed to the back of the form.

I added a top to toe list of all my bad joints/damage (there's a lot!) and how they affected me. Not everything was apparent in the general questions so I felt they needed to know exactly the problems I encountered. They said it was helpful. I also said my consultant and rheumy were prepared to do a letter of support or complete a form if they got in touch, but they never did ask them. Said there was enough evidence. However, if you can get these easily and include them even better. Try to get them as I was nervous I didn't have them, but it worked fine for me but might not for others.

Yes they are looking at you from the moment you arrive. I didn't go in with my OH but he pulled up in the parking space right next to the door. I walked in with my stick and my wedge car seat in a lightweight bag under my arm. Without this I cannot sit for long or sit on anything slightly low. There were upright chairs in both reception and the interview rooms and I struggled to get up at the end simply as I had been there for over an hour. I told her if I had the riser seat I could stand slowly unaided from a chair with arm supports to push up on on as long as it wasn't low.

You can decline to be examined in so far as have your joints moved by them and I said no to that as I have had my knees twisted by over exuberant physios and nurses before, but said yes to her touching and feeling swellings/heat and deformity in my shoulder for example. The exam couch was very high and a flimsy plastic stool to climb on!?? No way I could have done that and she understood. Don't climb on anything because you feel obliged to. They can assess you in the upright chair as they did for me.

My PIP nurse was very good and knew rheumatoid and osteo well, but she did write that I wasn't nervous or stressed. So wrong and I was annoyed that they make these assumptions.

You are allowed to ask for a copy of the PIP exam report and that goes to DWP to pass on to the independent assessor the next day usually. i got mine sent to me without requesting it within a week. I totted up the points she gave me against the DWP points website and found I had enough for enhanced for both, but didn't dare presume it was a done thing and waited another month till it came through.

No, don't bend to pick anything up or be heroic .. not worth it as even if you struggle and do it one time it could make them think you are capable of much more than you are. I think if you start but replying with No I cannot do that actrivity unaided etc, but if I am given assistance I can do ... xyz, etc. That is the truth.

Give as much info and take time to read through. There will be things you forget and it is good to read it through a few times.

Good luck. I was shocked they were very professional with me and the DWP advice line was excellent and on my side.

Let us know how you go on. Sorry for the length but I wanted to help you as much as I can. As others kindly did for me a few months ago.

[Cach in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Thank you do much for this. It'd do helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. At the moment I get low care and high mobility DLA and have a Motability car. I'm going to go over my form tomorrow to check I have added enough info. Again, many thanks and I'll let you know how I get on. 💕

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Cach]

You are most welcome and very best of luck and I hope you get the same if not more as far as the categories go but, as I said, the amount is less now it is PIP. I knew that would happen. Yes, let us know how it goes. x

[Winnie53 in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Fantastic and comprehensive advice. I will certainly heed this when I have my consultation. PIP form in just waiting for the dreaded letter 🤪

[NeonkittyUK]

Thank you and thank you to all who helped me including Ajay and many others.

[Cach]

I'm still waiting to hear something. I had a text confirming they'd received my form but that was 14th August. I'm going to chase it up this week x💕

[NeonkittyUK]

Mine took a month so I bet you hear very soon. Hope so and hope it is good news. xx

[Cach in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Gulp...... Thank you💕

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Cach]

Fingers crossed! XX

[Cach]

23rd September at 15.30. Gulp.....

[NeonkittyUK]

YES thank you!

[Cach]

Well, today's the day! I'm so nervous!