Is it worth claiming PIP?

MrsEmma

Ive been ill for a couple of years but the last year has been tough.
Im self employed (freelance) and have been in and out of my job due to illness at the most I was unable to work for 3 whole months due to hospital stays. Whilst I have some loyal clients that are patient and understanding it still has an impact to my client list every time i return and I'm unable to work at the pace i used to. The main reason for this is fatigue and brain fog that effects my ability to concentrate for long periods, this causes a lot of frustration and stress which in turn worsens my condition so i have to take it easy.
I can do most things at the moment (there have been periods where i can't manage but not at the moment) but in short bursts and have to rest lots.

This has taken a big hit financially on us as a family.

My husbands been putting me under a lot of pressure to claim PIP and i keep telling him I'm not entitled which he doesn't believe. I got the forms through back in January and decided after reading the patronising list of irrelevant and humiliating questions theres was no point even trying as i could manage most of the questions.

The thing is I can go about my daily business I manage my girls and the household. I find things ALOT harder than I used to and some times work around pain and pay for it after but I am a determined person. My mobility is poor I can walk a certain distance but then my leg drags due to fatiguable muscle weakness so i use a wheelchair for anything more than 30 metres or so depending on my condition that day. My walking even up to 30 metres is with an odd gait and not the most stable or speedy!

I am reluctant to claim as I don't yet have a diagnosis plus i can take care of my self most of the time. I just sometimes need help outside of the house due to the mobility and I'm not all the confident in my chair on my own yet. Ive been diagnosed with 'Unknown Muscle Disease' due to the weakness and an abnormal EMG but I'm still waiting for a diagnosis and I'm on the long list to see a Neuro muscular specialist (6 months into waiting and no signs of an appointment!).

My argument to my husband is if i can do most things, it doesn't matter about the pain or the pace. If I can do them I'm not entitled.
The other day i painted my front window, it took me 3 days to paint one window due to dipping in and out of the job! but my point to him is. If they came knocking on my door and saw me painting on a chair i would be in trouble and i don't want to be having to look over my shoulder or prove I'm disabled to anyone. I want to concentrate on my ability not my disability. I just can't see from the form that i would be entitled and he thinks that because i can't walk very far of course i would be.

Am i right here or is he?

applepad

You do not need a diagnosis to claim. I would say claim. You will need to ring up for new forms, you get about a month to send them back.
It's all about the help you need to live a normal life.
You have nothing to loose apart from the time to complete the application and attend an assessment .

HB58

The assessment will take into account your pain, slowness etc - make sure you describe it in full, don't just tick 'yes' and move on! In fact, you could tick 'no' and then, in the comment box, say 'not reliably or safely' etc.

lemontart

I put a claim in before diagnosis of my m.e. but waited nearly a year for an assessment, keep a diary of your days and how your health and abilty to do anything is effected as well s any medical letters with appts etc to send with application

rogerblack

As a general point.
If PIP asks 'Can you X' - that is not quite as straightforward as it may appear.
If you can do X as often as reasonably required, safely, reliably, and taking no longer than twice the time a nondisabled person may take, without issue on most days.
Then you can do X from the point of view of PIP.

Pain is not specifically addressed in PIP - unlike DLA - but other factors are.

' My walking even up to 30 metres is with an odd gait and not the most stable or speedy!'

Can you - several times as and when required, not when you pick the times - stand and walk 20m safely, reliably and taking no more than twice the time of a normal person?
Can you do this most days?

If not - then you would be (if properly assessed) entitled to the high-rate component of mobility.

Is your mental and physical condition such that most days you can do the 'care' tasks mentioned safely...

This is not 'can I at the best point in the day do X once'.
It's 'if I was doing X at the normal time, in the normal way, could I do it at that time, safely, ...'.

And most importantly.
Do _NOT_ answer the questions from the perspective of your 'main problem'.
Try to think of if someone watching you 24*7 for a couple of months could reasonably argue that you're having significant difficulty with a specific thing, to the point you can't do it 'safely, ...' on the majority of days.

The PIP tests are not quite 'what do you have difficulty with', and scored on that basis.
For example, if that was the case, then someone who chose to wear corsets could get points on the 'more than twice the time' basis with very minor actual disability.

The tests are somewhat theoretical - if you were asked to do the things that a normal person in your circumstances without the disability might do - what limitations does your disability put on your life with respect to those tests.

pmlindyloo

I find this post interesting because of your reluctance to claim and a very commendable focus on your ability and not your disability which leads me onto the reason why your husband is encouraging you to claim.

Does he think you are 'entitled' to the extra money or the extra money would allow you to employ a cleaner or gardener/whatever to make your life easier? Can you afford these at the moment?

I really do not want to wander away from your main question which is 'do you think I am eligible?'

It is very hard to give exact advice as there are many things that are taken into account other than the rather 'simplistic and often confusing descriptors. There are guides to the assessment of PIP for the assessors and it might help you to read one of these to give you a better idea of the scope involved in meeting the descriptors. (I'll find you one)

After reading the guide and if your husband is still hassling you then I would like to advise you to go to CAB (choose one with a benefits specialist) or a welfare rights advisor and ask them to do a PIP assessment with you (they should be able to go through the descriptors and score you with due regard to the 'hidden meanings')

If the advisor believes you would be eligible then apply and get them to help you complete the application and help you with supporting evidence.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368122/pip-assessment-guide.pdf

schrodie

rogerblack wrote: »

Can you - several times as and when required, not when you pick the times - stand and walk 20m safely, reliably and taking no more than twice the time of a normal person?
Can you do this most days?

If not - then you would be (if properly assessed) entitled to the high-rate component of mobility.

Very helpful as always. Can I just ask is the time a normal person would take quantified?

rogerblack

schrodie wrote: »

Very helpful as always. Can I just ask is the time a normal person would take quantified?

The regulations just say 'twice the normal time' (paraphrasing.)
They don't contain a list of times used.

The relevant time is probably 'someone who is not disabled but otherwise similar to you', asked to do the task.

So you can't compare against a 70yo with really bad arthritus or a champion powerwalker - it has to be your average person.
Exactly what that average persons time is strictly up to the DM, and the later tribunal to decide, and is not laid down in legislation.

MrsEmma

Thank you for the response that was actually very helpful!
Popping to the CAB is a good suggestion I think I will give them a try.

We have had a cleaner on and off that we can't really afford and things like having to purchase an electric wheelchair and hospital stays have taken a big hit out of our finances. I now have to do all my shopping online which i know sounds silly but thats cost me a lot more as i used to do loads of couponing and bargain hunting which you can't do online as much. Days out seem to cost more as you are limited with free days out not being able to use the great outdoors like i used to (hopefully a tandem bike will change that thanks to a wonderful charity). So yes we do need it but just didn't think i was entitled and hated the idea of trying to convince someone I'm disabled when i just try not to think of myself that way!

My parents have helped a lot but obviously long term i can't rely on them

pmlindyloo

MrsEmma wrote: »

Thank you for the response that was actually very helpful!
Popping to the CAB is a good suggestion I think I will give them a try.

We have had a cleaner on and off that we can't really afford and things like having to purchase an electric wheelchair and hospital stays have taken a big hit out of our finances. I now have to do all my shopping online which i know sounds silly but thats cost me a lot more as i used to do loads of couponing and bargain hunting which you can't do online as much. Days out seem to cost more as you are limited with free days out not being able to use the great outdoors like i used to (hopefully a tandem bike will change that thanks to a wonderful charity). So yes we do need it but just didn't think i was entitled and hated the idea of trying to convince someone I'm disabled when i just try not to think of myself that way!

My parents have helped a lot but obviously long term i can't rely on them

Then I would go for it. Ring and get the application form before you go to CAB - will save time - and make sure when you make an appointment you let them know that you want help to do an application for PIP. With a bit of luck you will be get someone who knows the ins and outs of applying.

Don't forget to read the link as it will focus your mind on what the descriptors are all about particularly as you are hesitant about applying and may be too focussed on what you can do (which is wonderful) but won't score you the points you need.

Edit
Forgot to say - try to fill in as much of the application form as you can yourself - not the descriptors parts but name/address etc, list of your medication/ medical professionals etc - all the information that is straightforward. This will save you time at your CAB appointment.

It is also useful to describe a typical day (this could be the beginning of your diary). You could include time of day, description of what you are doing, how long it takes you, what help you would benefit from and why. Be detailed. CAB should also comment on how your diary can be improved.

Remember that you need to compare yourself with someone who has no problems. So, would it take you longer to do these things? Do you experience pain when carrying out the activity? Can you do the activity repeatedly and safely(as often as reasonably needed) - your painting is a good example. What difference would help make? What aids do you use? Etc etc etc

Please be absolutely honest about your problems.

MrsEmma

Thank you, I will do that