Advice on applying for benefits (successfully !)

A.D._Creighton

I am a first time poster so please accept my apologies if I inadvertantly infringe forum rules or protocols etc. I've no intention to cause offence.

My reason for posting is as follows:- I thought I would make an appointment this Monday to see someone from Social Services. We are thinking of applying for the 'PIP' (formerly DLA I believe) together with any other entitlements.

I was wondering if anyone could give advice on what to say (or write), or more specifically, what not to say, to avoid disappointment ?

I certainly have no intention of lying but I believe, from what others have told me, that expressing situations / limitations in a certain form of language and "using the right words" can assist success.

A little background on myself - I am 52, I have longstanding issues with Arthritis of the spine, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and chronic (severe) Anemia (last Haemoglobin 57 if anyone is interested). I am highly intolerant to most allopathic treatments for these conditions. I occasionally have Acupuncture at a private clinic. I do see my GP fairly regularly (at her request) but conventional options are very limited.

I have been unable to find work since being made redundant in 2009 and, as my ill health progresses downhill, with ever greater velocity, do not hold out much hope of the situation changing. I have made over 400 applications since then and I still do, occasionally, apply for suitable situations (currently rather thin on the ground !).

In practical terms I can walk about 30 yards maximum before I need to stop for a couple of minutes. I can just about climb the stairs at home (13 steps) but then take five minutes or so before my respiration returns to a normal rate. I can just about dress myself given enough time. I can stand for about two minutes before pain forces me to sit.

We have no real income, my wife occasionally makes a little pin money via freelance writing. We do not have any large quantities of cash on deposit or investments.

This will be my third (and final !) attempt at obtaining any form of State Benefit. My last attempt was in June 2009.

To reiterate - my main desire is to learn the correct way to word the information on the application forms and in any interview.

Perhaps I should mention that I have been advised by a couple of people that my accent (RP) rather goes against me. I don't think I can do much about that (open to suggestions !) but, even if this is / was an issue I cannot envisage that it would affect the application forms.

I hope that I have provided sufficient information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post - very much appreciated.

Arthur

Mav6215

When I first applied for DLA over 10 years ago I was turned down although it was my doctor who suggested I apply for it and couldn't see any reason for being refused.

I was then advised by an occupational therapist to fill the details in as a 'worse case scenario'. In other words think about the worse day(s) you may have had and complete the forms based on that. I did this and was accepted.

A.D._Creighton

Mav6215 wrote: »

When I first applied for DLA over 10 years ago I was turned down although it was my doctor who suggested I apply for it and couldn't see any reason for being refused.

I was then advised by an occupational therapist to fill the details in as a 'worse case scenario'. In other words think about the worse day(s) you may have had and complete the forms based on that. I did this and was accepted.

Thank you for this - very interesting information and a useful suggestion that I will certainly employ.

Once again - Thank You.

Arthur

sammyjammy

Your accent or lack of it will not in anyway prejudice any application for benefits in this country.

You'll not get much luck if you visit social services. DWP are responsible for PIP and you can make a claim by telephone.

https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

help4help2013

my advice would be always be completely HONEST tell them about your good days and all of your bad days but do not put it all down as bad days just to try and qualify more for the benefit that can be seen as DECEPTION and also FRAUD

give them as much details as you can go into details on how your day is from when you wake up right through until you go to bed. list all medications , doctors consultants, reports and send in all evidence of diagnosis too.

its always best to give them as much information as you can if you have a family meeter who knows how your illnesses effect you on a daily basis they can also write a supporting letter for you if you feel that might also help

the from can a long thing to fill in so take as much time as you need and make sure you send everything in with it too

helping_hand2014

Mav6215 wrote: »

When I first applied for DLA over 10 years ago I was turned down although it was my doctor who suggested I apply for it and couldn't see any reason for being refused.

I was then advised by an occupational therapist to fill the details in as a 'worse case scenario'. In other words think about the worse day(s) you may have had and complete the forms based on that. I did this and was accepted.

making an application for a benefit based on exaggeration of how your illnesses effect you is very wrong and also illegal the therapist who gave you this advice is cleary wrong and should not be giving out wrong advice like that

you must and should always be completely honest when making any application for benefit as i agree it can be seen as deception and fraud and you can be awarded the wrong level of benefit based in that and can also get into a lot of trouble

A.D._Creighton

sammyjammy wrote: »

Your accent or lack of it will not in anyway prejudice any application for benefits in this country.

You'll not get much luck if you visit social services. DWP are responsible for PIP and you can make a claim by telephone.

I was unaware that I should be contacting the DWP and thank you for that information. I get too breathless to speak on the telephone for more than a minute and so will need to contact them via some other medium.

We were also looking at other forms of State Benefit, hence the thought to contact our local Social Services department.

I take your point regarding accents but feel that you have a rather utopian (but noble) viewpoint if you sincerely believe that to be true.

How we look, dress and speak should also not influence a Jury in a Court of Law but research suggests otherwise. A great deal of additional social research also supports this viewpoint. What Oliver Wendell Holmes referred to as "the inarticulate major premise".

Therefore, in respect of this, I beg to differ.

Nevertheless, a very sincere thank you for advising me regarding the correct agency from which to seek the Personal Independence Payment.

Arthur

bspm

http://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php/6904-PIP-success-story-and-some-reflections

I do hope the above link opens for you, a very helpful thread from another site. It is full of advice and well written information.

Good luck

A.D._Creighton

bspm wrote: »

I do hope the above link opens for you, a very helpful thread from another site. It is full of advice and well written information.

Good luck

It did open and looks extremely useful.

Thank you very much.

Arthur

Poppie68

Mav6215 wrote: »

When I first applied for DLA over 10 years ago I was turned down although it was my doctor who suggested I apply for it and couldn't see any reason for being refused.

I was then advised by an occupational therapist to fill the details in as a 'worse case scenario'. In other words think about the worse day(s) you may have had and complete the forms based on that. I did this and was accepted.

As DLA and now PIP is awarded on care and mobility needs, completing the forms based on only bad days is not a true detailed description on anyone's life.

Forms should be completed based on the truth, if you have good and bad days this is what should be detailed on the forms and not just moulding you conditions/illness to give your life the complete outlook as a worse case scenario.

People do get awarded PIP as they did DLA by being honest about their days, good bad or a mixture of both....

Detailed medical evidence from all healthcare professionals seen goes along way to helping a claim as well as truthfully completed form.

bspm

You are most welcome Sir.

I wont bore you with many details but I too applied for PIP, I read that thread in detail and followed the information given, I was awarded PIP. No lies, no embellishment, just facts of my condition (similar to your own) and how it affected me on a day to day basis.

Once again, good luck.