Anyone know about pip

Hi all, have been asked by few different ppl since being diagnosed if I had claimed something called pip, never heard of this until lately, cause cant do certain things getting dressed, lifting cup, showering etc. I think it some sort of benefit, do you need to claiming something like unervisal credit, tax credit, disability to claim this? If so is it automatically done? Or do u need to claim it through dwp? Or is it something I couldn't claim cause I'm working? Well I was before lockdown. I have read few different things but it just says about filling form out and that's about all information

[piglette]

To be eligible for PIP you must be aged between 16 and your State Pension age.

You must also:

. find it hard to do everyday tasks or get around because of a physical or mental condition - you can make a claim whether you get help from another person or not

. have found these things hard for 3 months and expect it to continue for another 9 months

. usually be living in England, Scotland or Wales when you apply

. have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 years - unless you're a refugee or an immediate family member of a refugee

[Rose54]

Hi Some manage to get PIP if thay met the qualifications as given by piglette but it would be due to other medical conditions on top of PMR .

Unfortunately thay feel that once you are on medication you will get better, but if you feel you may be entitled to it theirs no harm in applying for it .

[123-go]

Hi Karen. You've had replies about your PIP query but I'm seeing that you are having the kind of symptoms that generally occur in the period before diagnosis and perhaps in the very early days after starting Prednisolone. You have said previously that you were diagnosed in December 2020 so it strongly suggests that the inflammation in your body is by no means under control. In my opinion, you shouldn't be having the types of symptoms where you can't lift a cup, shower, etc, three months on unless your starting dose was inadequate and/or your reduction too fast.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Link to official site - gov.uk/pip

[whisperit]

Hello Karenwelsh

PIP is payable to anyone who meets the criteria of age, residence and disability. Whether you are employed or in reciept of other benefits makes no difference. It is not means-tested.

The application form is quite long and daunting; it asks you to provide evidence in several areas of daily living, like making food, dressing, getting about, communication etc etc. The important thing is not your diagnosis, but how far you are disabled in relation to these activities.So when filling in the form, it's important to read the detailed criteria and explain exactly how far you meet them.

Here they are: turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guid...

[Suzita76]

You can get excellent advice from Citizens Advice. Their website has lots of information on all available benefits

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

(My husband and I worked as volunteer advisers at our local branch for 7+years and helped many people claim benefits they ( and initially we) didn’t know about.

PIP ( personal Independence Payment) was never easy to get, but CAB ( and other charities like Age UK) can advise on your eligibility and indicate what chance you have of getting it. Attendance Allowance (AA), though, is a non-means tested benefit available for anyone over age 65 who needs extra help because of “disability”.

gov.uk/attendance-allowance

My very elderly mum still lives on her own, partly because she has been able to get AA for many years. It is paid directly to her and she can use it as she wishes (to pay someone to help with shopping, gardening, cleaning, or whatever she can’t cope with), and it has certainly enabled her to remain independent into her 90s.

[S4ndy]

Hi Karen, PIP is non means tested and therefore can be claimed by working people.

I have a PIP award based on my need for care and mobility difficulties because of PMR, Osteoarthritis and my mental health.

I have used the Benefits and Work website to help me complete my claim forms. It's a small annual subscription to access the members guides but it's well worth it. The quality of the guides are second to none and really help you to explain your needs on the lengthy DWP forms/assessments.

Best thing to do is to apply and fill the forms out with as much information as you can. Please be aware that the process is not easy and has been made stressful as you need to have an assessment which caused me immense anxiety (I do suffer from anxiety anyway). Well worth it though as the extra money helps. Good luck x

[discoballs]

I found this website and unlimited help service wonderful. You would get walked through any possible claim. Put it this way I would do it again. benefitsandwork.co.uk/

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I really do have to say a couple of things that in some ways are nothing to do with PIP.

IF your diagnosis is really PMR and you are being managed properly (i.e. an adequate dose of pred), then the things you say you can't do should be markedly better. I could barely manage them before being put on pred but once I was on the right dose they did resolve almost entirely and that is the basis that is usually taken for benefits for PMR: it is a condition that can be well managed with medication. Most people who have PMR who get PIP have done so because of additional conditions that add to the problems.

So my main point is that I think you need to have your diagnosis and your management looked at more closely possibly by someone with a new view of it.

[tangocharlie]

I get PIP. You really have to know how to word things on the form, and need advice from Citizens Advice or Age UK or other charity on what to say

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone have a better idea now of something I'd never heard of before

[Hidden]

Just to add to above..it it based on functionality (or rather the lack of) rather than on medical conditions as everyone is unique... get help if you do apply.