have you been awarded PIP after Ivor Lewis surgery?

[allthe5s]

Without going into detail, have any of you been awarded PIP after your Ivor Lewis surgery?

It looks very much like my second time of claiming will be unsuccessful too because assessors have no idea of what having this surgery can do to us, but if I can add successful claim examples to other evidence for my tribunal case it might just help my claim.

I don't need anything any more detailed than a "Yes" if you have been awarded PIP together maybe with roughly when you were awarded it because at this stage, any evidence I can provide could well help and I would be grateful for that help.

[Makulit]

What is PIP?

[allthe5s in reply to Makulit]

The UK-based "Personal Independence Payment" which replaced the old disability living allowance.

[Makulit in reply to allthe5s]

I see. I had my treatment and surgery just over eight years ago now. Including the period I was having treatment, I was receiving sickness benefit for a total of two years. I believe I would have been entitled to housing benefit, council tax etc also, had I not been staying with my mum.I believe things have changed dramatically, for the worse. However, you should get plenty of support and assistance from your local citizens advice bureau.

Good luck with everything.

[telford-hiker]

hi ,I found out a few weeks ago that my cancer has returned to the same place (esophagous) and no longer operable..I have also lost my voice ,nearly 4 months ago…my key worker has been in touch with Macmillan and they have sorted it all out for me..I signed and sent a consent to act for me in 2 days ago ..and waiting to hear but I’m told I should get the highest amount..I know it’s slightly different circumstances but Macmillan have been great,as the first time I tried just over 2 years ago I couldn’t even understand the forms..or book should I say 😁 so maybe try that route if you get no joy…good luck

[allthe5s in reply to telford-hiker]

First please accept my commiserations on your recent diagnosis. What you are going through is a fear that I'm sure all of us who've had the op. face and speaking personally, I wouldn't wish what I have upon anybody.

Re: PIP though and yes, if this application too does get rejected I will go the Macmillan route. It irks me that I should have to, but it looks increasingly like being the only realistic option for success.

Thanks for your reply and my thoughts are with you.

[telford-hiker in reply to allthe5s]

I think as soon as they see it’s been done through Macmillan..it doesn’t get questioned ..good luck

[telford-hiker in reply to allthe5s]

I got my top rate awarded this morning..after my first chemo yesterday..it’s both a relief and Macmillan have saved a lot of stress ..well worth it ..

[liz_crisp]

I got DLA for a year while on Chemo But later claims were unsuccessful.

[allthe5s in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks for replying. The system is awful IMHO.

[Planthead]

That won't help you, you need to build a picture or story of how the condition affects you, and your life. Getting testimonials from your wife or carer, will greatly improve your chances. Read the pip descriptors and visit benefits and works website, on how to fill in the form. Alternatively there are paid services that can can do it for you, dont rely on Mcmillion or cab, do your own research.

[allthe5s in reply to Planthead]

I am well aware of how the entire process surrounding PIP works and although your theorizing sounds good, in practice there are huge numbers of claimants with what seem to be valid reasons to claim who get rejected despite doing all that you (and indeed much of the available help) advise. Social media and various forums are awash with complaints about the PIP application process and its failures, and no amount of research or help is enough to overcome the DWP's often intransigent responses to claimants.

Why should any genuine claimant pay to claim PIP (or indeed any other UK-based benefit) when even doing so does not greatly improve chances of that claim being successful?

Thank you though for your response.

[Planthead in reply to allthe5s]

Sorry I am not theorising, it based on my own example of 10 years, post surgery, and just awarded a further 10 year high rate pip, with a light touch review in 2032, and helping others. Unfortunately a lot people struggle with the forms, which is why there are paid for services that do it for you. It does help your claim if you comply with the discriptors. There is no doubt that the Assessors look to fail you, why make it easier for them.

CAB can be hit and miss, depends on who you get.

Aa you know, a lot of people just assume it is based on your condition or conditions, it is based on how your condition affects you, and the people around you.

With cancer, it is different, you have help from maggies centres and mcmillien, other conditions don't, and why paid for services are useful, be it benefit and works help sheets or using an advocate firm, also pip it is automatically granted, if you can show that you come under special rules. Generally if you have cancer, undergoing, or had chemo, or suffering from the collateral damage of cancer surgery, the route is easier, than say mental health.

[Von66 in reply to Planthead]

can I ask you what paid services there are pls ?

[Planthead in reply to Von66]

You can visit the benefits and works website and pay to have access to their helpsheets, and forums advice, which are very good, or use an advocate firm, such as fightback4justice.co.uk/

Or maggies or macmillian, which have salaried advisors, again who are very good, specialising in benefit claims for cancer conditions.

[amsy]

Yes - I got PIP with the help of an advisor at Maggie’s (they help you word the form correctly etc!).

[allthe5s in reply to amsy]

Thanks for your reply.

Although I will wait & see how many have successfully claimed PIP, so far it does look like the only way to do this successfuly is to get outside help. Sadly the nearest Maggie's to me is over 80 miles away.

[Planthead in reply to allthe5s]

You could phone them, and see if they would do a facetime appointment or such.

[Planthead in reply to amsy]

Maggies advisors are generally very good, as they have tended to previously work in the DWP system, and are paid in excess of 35k per annum at Maggies, so are pretty motivated to get a result.

[telford-hiker]

is Maggies ..Macmillan?

[Planthead in reply to telford-hiker]

No. Similar, but totally different.

maggies.org/about-us/

[telford-hiker in reply to Planthead]

ok thanks

[kiddy]

hi there,

I was awarded it from the operation for 2 years however after a year I had to have a 1to 1 interview.

The assessor said you look well , my husband accompanied me and spoke out to how he had to help me and be there at night because of the reflux.

They didn’t renew it, I appealed no success. My husband wasn’t in a good place with how my operation affected him and we spent a year with no money.

Wish I had gone to Macmillan .

I agree they have no idea how your life is different .

Glad I am here though 6 years on

Good Luck

Debbie

[Planthead in reply to kiddy]

Hi kiddy, sorry to hear of your pip experience. Its probably a bit late for you, but for anyone else, it shows how important it is to hit the scoring criteria, filling in a points based form needs to be done with an expert eye, and why it can be useful to use a paid for service, who can pin point our life and limitations.Its better not to get into a face2face, as with our conditions and collateral damage after major surgery, we will be thinner and tend to look after bodies, so look healthier at first sight than most of the general population, (hidden disabilities).

If knocked back at first, it is advisable to get the expert help to draft a mandatory reconsideration, a lot more claims go through at this stage.

[Planthead]

I used this site.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/

[mgloughran]

Here in the US, I've had disability since August 2014. My diagnosis was January and surgery in May, both in the same year.