Pip medical

[Pinkcrush]

I have my pip medical in a week, feeling rather nervous about the whole thing,any words of wisdom or advice from any one that's gone through this

Many thanks

Ann

[Hidden]

Hi

First of all I wish you the very best of luck. One thing I was told that did happen was they will ask you a question then further down they will ask you the same thing a different way round to see if you answer in the same way. Luckily I was ready ha ha!! Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Pinkcrush in reply to Hidden]

Ah ok that's sorta a trick, but cant fake the way I feel

Thank you for the advice tho Lynne

[Hidden in reply to Pinkcrush]

You are very welcome and you are right, we can't fake the way we feel! Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[kingsnorth]

Good luck with your PIP assessment Pinkcrush keep us posted. Did you get your PIP award Oldham12

[kimphoebe]

Hi there

Tried a couple of years ago for pip but failed. Lynne’s right they do try and trick you. The accessor even insinuated I was an alcoholic, just goes to show how much they know bout this disease. Only one thing I can remember from it is she asked me twice if I could make mashed potatoes, which stupidly said yes so if you can make mash then you must be ok. 🤦‍♀️. My suggestion is to take your time and answer every question slowly. Had a ESA interview and passed straight away go figure. Hope this helps and don’t stress to much bout it as you said you can only tell the truth. Xx

[Pinkcrush in reply to kimphoebe]

I've had a esa medical and passed, but thought this was different as it's being done at a different centre

[kimphoebe]

Yes it completely different I think but you would think if you passed one the other would be the same. You can have them to do the accessment at home as well if you not well enough to attend.

[Twinkle26]

Good luck, try not to worry about it.

Get someone to go with you just for support but someone who knows you very well and how you suffer with it.

Answer all questions as though they are asking about your worst possible day.

They will ask if you can use a phone and if you read, use a computer etc.

Don’t forget write things down before the day as we get brain fog etc,

They may ask who does the shopping, cooks meals tidies up, change beds, all tiring stuff and energy zapping stuff for me.

They may ask you daily routine, remember answer as if it’s your worse day.

It all goes on points you need a certain amount to win. If you answer on your best day then forget it.

We have more bad days than good so be true to yourself answer as though it’s the worst day. some days I can’t do anything other than wash and dress then can’t go out.

The itch can tire you out so much during the night that you just have to sleep the next day and then another day has gone.

Remember the worse days how fatigued you are, the brain fog etc.

Write your worse day down, relive that to them.

Your not lieing, when we have a good day we end up doing too much and are out for 3-4 days having to rest just for that one good day. Remember the aches and pains daily, I don’t know what other illnesses you have but it all adds up and they only want to know how you cope daily, not about which illnesses or conditions you have.

Sorry if I’ve gone on too much but most of the points are for self hygiene and if you cook proper meals, I can only do microwave ones as I’m preserving my energy for the day.

I only do small amounts of washing at a time as it still needs hanging up etc.

I don’t walk far as I’ve still got to get back home.

I get tendinitis and my knees or ankles go for no reason and I have them in a brace for weeks before I can walk properly again.

They do repeat things but in different ways, repetitive questions, take a breath before you answer, take a bottle of water and stop to drink some before you answer, think as best as you can and answer slowly so you don’t just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

Remember what you answered for the application form, their questions will be based on that.

If you say you can sit down they may ask how long, can you move along as seat, take yourself to the toilet,

How you walk towards them when they call you.

Don’t go all out to look your very best as you’ll tire yourself out, be comfortable.

You take someone with you but let them answer things you forget, but remind them on the basis of it’s your worst day.

Sorry if I went on but good luck with it.

Carol x

[Pinkcrush in reply to Twinkle26]

That was very helpful thank you

Ok I will try and think this all over and maybe think about what I can and cant do,so its clear in my head

It's funny,well not I have tendonitis of shoulder,hip and ankle,but never been offered anything for it, but I also have osteoarthritis

It's weird how what I used to be able to do,but cant now or like you say you spend days paying for over doing it on a good day

But thank you for the advice I will take my mum as shes my helper,even tho it should be the other way around at her age

Ann

[Twinkle26 in reply to Pinkcrush]

Take the help where it’s offered, me and my mum look after each other too xx

[cazer]

Yep, it's difficult to get... Even if really poorly.

A stat for you 75%of people who appeal get it... If that gives you an idea.

Don't assume feeling ill etc will give you any points... Read the points criteria list... Bowel /bladder problems, washing, if on a bad day you don't shower as you are too exhausted and have a wash instead... That means you can't shower... If you say you struggle you won't get any points for that etc... They don't care if you are feeling ill or in pain it's a yes or no.

. If you imply that you might be able to manage... No points for that...

Just be as hard as they are it's very black and white...

Good luck but do appeal if you in successfull to start with. Best wishes cazer.

[Pinkcrush in reply to cazer]

Ok I've seen the horrible stories about this,why I put of claiming it,but I had a very helpful lady from council arrange a downstairs loo and walking shower,she kept pushing me to try,so I did

[Biddyb]

Sorry to ask but what is PIP

[Pinkcrush in reply to Biddyb]

Personal independence payment, it's to help people with a disability or health condition

[kandiepat in reply to Biddyb]

Yes I was going to ask that!

[cazer]

The daft thing is it's not that we are not eligible but the people testing us are working on criteria not to give it... So we are on the loosing side...

I was on dla and had to be reassesed for pip... I thought I would loose the lot... I did get a reduced amount but.. Couldn't face appealing as my hair was falling out with the stress...

But if you assume you that you might have to appeal hopefully you won't feel as bad... If that happens...

Please don't feel I'm trying to be so pessimistic... I just want to warn you to just try and treat it as a black and white process. Xx

[Pinkcrush in reply to cazer]

No I get it and I do understand why I put it off for awhile

Hope your less stressed now and hair is better,I have hair loss to but think it's the urso rather than stress,but it's not nice

[cazer]

It stopped falling out the week I got my reply for pip assessment!!!

[Pinkcrush in reply to cazer]

As that's good news

[PBCRobert Partner]

If you can, call the Foundation and speak with Collette.

[Pinkcrush in reply to PBCRobert]

I dont think I need to waste your time,I think I know what am facing now

[PBCRobert Partner in reply to Pinkcrush]

You would not be wasting our time at all.

[Pinkcrush in reply to PBCRobert]

Ok il ring monday

[cazer]

Worth getting their advice if you've time... So you can make sure you give the best poss answers...

[Pinkcrush in reply to cazer]

Very true thank you cazer

[Twinkle26 in reply to Pinkcrush]

Remember take the help where it’s offered .

[kingsnorth]

I would advise the Fight4Justice team to fill out any PIP forms it’s well worth it they charge but have years of experiencing at DWP form filling they have a very high success rate x