DLA to PIP Questions, please help

Raspberry12

I am currently in receipt of DLA - lower rate care and lower rate mobility. This is mainly based on severe mental health illness. I also get ESA Contribution Rate in the support group (this is the amount I was getting in Incapacity Benefit until it switched).

I was just wondering, as my health is getting worse, I am in constant pain and after a year of suffering I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and take morphine, codeine, butrans and amitriptyline as well as lots of medication for diabetes & depression, if I should inform DLA of my new diagnosis as it's obviously added to the reasons I claim sickness benefits and should I apply for PIP instead?

Will informing the DPW of my new illness kick start a claim for PIP, would I better on PIP and how long are people waiting for PIP to be awarded after they have made the claim? DWP wwebsite says no one will be waiting more than 16 weeks.

Thanks in advance

Raspberry12

Also will I need to have an assessment?

pmlindyloo

The PIP descriptors are quite different to the DLA ones.

CAB now have a good guide to claiming PIP

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-your-claim-form/

You can also see the actual form by clicking on the link within the article.

So start with this to get an idea of your eligibility then come back if you have more questions.

Raspberry12

Thanks, I meet the criteria for both enhanced mobility and enhanced daily living.

Should I now inform DWP that I have another illness? Will doing so mean an application for PIP?

How long does PIP take to be awarded? Will I have to have another assessment?

Thanks in advance, can't seem to find the answers to these queries on the CAB website.

poppy12345

Raspberry12 wrote: »

Thanks, I meet the criteria for both enhanced mobility and enhanced daily living.

Should I now inform DWP that I have another illness? Will doing so mean an application for PIP?

How long does PIP take to be awarded? Will I have to have another assessment?

Thanks in advance, can't seem to find the answers to these queries on the CAB website.

If you inform them of these changes it will start a claim for PIP. PIP isn't automatically awarded and most people get sent for an assessment. As someone has already stated PIP and DLA have different dicriptors. Just because you say that you quailify for enhanced rate for both, doesn't actually mean you'll be awarded it. PIP is extremely difficult to get and a lot of people transfering from DLA have been declined PIP. I recommend you read as much as you possible can and gather together as much evidence as possible before doing anything. Good luck

Raspberry12

Thanks, I also did a questionaire on a benefits website that showed me how many points I 'could' receive. It showed I 'could' receive quite a lot over the minimum needed for both the living and the mobility. Would this show if it was so difficult to get? I just don't know.

Will do more searching, but surely I won't get DLA forever so will have to change to PIP at some point. Just don't know when. Is the assessment like the ones for ESA? I obviously would have concrete evidence from my GP and the Chronic Pain Clinic too.

Raspberry12

Sorry, when you say PIP is automatically awarded I just am not sure what you mean.

poppy12345

Raspberry12 wrote: »

Thanks, I also did a questionaire on a benefits website that showed me how many points I 'could' receive. It showed I 'could' receive quite a lot over the minimum needed for both the living and the mobility. Would this show if it was so difficult to get? I just don't know.

Will do more searching, but surely I won't get DLA forever so will have to change to PIP at some point. Just don't know when. Is the assessment like the ones for ESA? I obviously would have concrete evidence from my GP and the Chronic Pain Clinic too.

You could get invited anytime between now and 2017. No, ESA and PIP assessments are completely different. ESA is for those unable to work PIP is a disability benefit. People claim this and work. For evidence what you really need to show is your difficulties in everyday life.

Raspberry12

Thank you Poppy, I can certainly show the difficulties with carrying out every day tasks, and by doing so I will also be able to explain why I find the pain from walking and moving unbearable. I am a relatively young (ish) person and yet I feel like I am crippled. My doctor would be happy to confirm all the details needed as I have seen so much of her over the last year. Due to the lack of excercise this is also not helping my diabetes a great deal as my levels are lower when I am more active. The pain itself is also affecting my mental health - being in pain 24 hours a day will do that to a person.

I have reached the end of the rope, I'm afraid. I am struggling to get through a day at a time, and I'm m not really managing on ESA with lower rate DLA for both care and mobility.

What I meant was that I have had assessments with ATOS for ESA, but no assessments whatsoever for DLA, so just wondered if I would have to have a face to face appointment with ATOS? Sorry, that wasn't very clear.

I answered the questions honestly when seeing if I could get enough points to claim PIP on the benefits help website and it showed I would.

Has anyone every come across anybody who has been awarded PIP by having fibromyalgia? This added to severe mental health problems, diabetes that doesn't want to listen to my body and instead churns out very high bs levels which in turn isn't helped with mobility - bs levels were much lower before the pain started as I was a lot more active. I take 38 tablets a day, and I have also a weekly slow release Butrans patch that is 20mg a day.

NeilCr

I do PIP forms and I have seen someone get it for fibromyalgia. But, it is very individual and no-one will be able to tell you whether or not you will get it - or at what level

My best advice is to go somewhere like the CAB and get some help and support - especially with the form filling. They will do them regularly and know how they should be completed

Diary

For fibromyalgia it's extremely likely you'll have an atos or capita face to face assessment.
In actual fact for any condition it's very likely a face to face for pip will be needed.
Scoring yourself on benefits website is I no way like how the assessors will score you. It simply means if DWP apply the correct guidance and your assessor is honest and upfront you will get pip.
I've just been reassessed for Pip and am waiting DWP response.