Can I Claim Anything ?

NeilCr

I'd be inclined to get help with the form. There is a way of doing them

How about your local CAB?

Jack_Itin

Just an update, have today seen my G.P. and he stated that in his opinion that " The feeling in right leg is unlikely to come back, after 15 months " and was more than happy to confirm this, if contacted by the PIPS people, so have now posted the form back, with all relevant information, it says in the booklet that claims might take up to 16 weeks to process, is this normally the case ? or can I expect to hear sooner ? I suppose it depends on their workload......so here's hoping....Jack.

pmlindyloo

Jack_Itin wrote: »

Just an update, have today seen my G.P. and he stated that in his opinion that " The feeling in right leg is unlikely to come back, after 15 months " and was more than happy to confirm this, if contacted by the PIPS people, so have now posted the form back, with all relevant information, it says in the booklet that claims might take up to 16 weeks to process, is this normally the case ? or can I expect to hear sooner ? I suppose it depends on their workload......so here's hoping....Jack.

In case you are not aware it is very unlikely that your doctor will be contacted.

Our usual advice is to send in as much medical evidence as you can. You can do this even after you have sent off the form.

Read this link for further information about medical evidence.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/your-supporting-evidence/

I cannot stress enough how important it is to provide medical evidence upfront.

Alice_Holt

Also prepare for your medical assessment:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-medical-assessments
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/your-assessment/

Re-read thro your PIP form, be clear on the activities and descriptors, know where you score the necessary 8 / 12 points. Have notes with examples to take to the assessment. Remember "BUT"; i.e. fully explain the difficulties you have - don't leave gaps for the assessor to fill with assumptions. Take a copy of your form and copies of relevant medical evidence.
Take someone with you to make notes throughout the assessment.

"How can I best prepare for a medical?
Consider how you are going to travel to the medical, think about what evidence it’s vital for the health professional to hear and, if it would help you, write some notes about the most vital issues and take them with you to ensure that you don’t forget anything.

"Just as important as the questions you may be asked are the ones you quite possibly won’t be asked, but should be. If you don’t get the chance to give detailed information about how your condition affects your everyday activities then there’s a lot less chance of a fair decision being made.
So, if you’re asked questions like:
Do you do your own cooking?
Can you get out of bed and get dressed?
How far can you walk?
Then it’s important that you also answer as if you were asked:
How long does it take you?
How well do you do it?
Do you need someone to help you?
Is it safe for you to do it?
Do you suffer pain, fatigue or breathlessness when you do it?
Do you suffer anxiety or get confused when you do it?
If you do it once, how long before you can do it again?
Do you need any aids or appliances to do it?
Is there a time of day when you aren’t able to do it, because of stiffness or fatigue, for
example?
Can you do it reliably, i.e. can you do it whenever you are asked to or need to?
How many days a week, on average, can you do it?


Remember the ‘but’ . . .
It’s hard to remember all the issues above when you are being asked a whole series of questions about your life.
What you can do, though, is always try to remember the ‘but’, when answering any question the HP asks you. If you say ‘Yes’ to any question, is there a ‘but’ that you should add to make your answer more accurate?
‘Yes I can get out of bed, but not until about 15 minutes after I wake up because I am so stiff on a morning.’
‘Yes, I can cook a simple meal, but on most days I am too exhausted and depressed by the
afternoon to prepare anything but a bowl of cereal or a sandwich.”




Remember reliably
"Guidance issued by the DWP states that you need to be able to complete an activity ‘reliably’ in order for it to apply. According to the guidance, ‘reliably’ means whether you can do so:
• Safely – in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person.
• To a necessary and acceptable standard – given the nature of the activity.
• Repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required.
• In a timely manner – in a reasonable time period.
......"


This is taken from the Benefits & Work guide.

Jack_Itin

Thanks for the replies and information, while on the subject of claims, still not heard from DWP regards pension credit claim, although they did say would hear within 28 days and it has only been three weeks since initial claim.....presumably if I don't hear next week, then back on the 'phone to them ?......Jack.

metrobus

When you say the DWP person said you may be entitled to £21.90 a week and a council tax reduction back dated 3 months was that the £21.90 or the CT reduction.

Jack_Itin

metrobus wrote: »

When you say the DWP person said you may be entitled to £21.90 a week and a council tax reduction back dated 3 months was that the £21.90 or the CT reduction.

According to the lady on the 'phone, the £21.90 would be backdated for three months.....I can't apply for CT reduction until I get the Pension Credit.......Jack.

metrobus

But once you do get PC the CT reduction should then also be back dated to the start date of PC(3 months prior to your initial claim date).
Hope that makes sense.

Jack_Itin

metrobus wrote: »

But once you do get PC the CT reduction should then also be back dated to the start date of PC.
Hope that makes sense.

I think it depends on the area that you are in, some council's backdate....some don't...I have the forms ready to apply for CT rebate, but have not studied them yet, until I know for sure (in black and white ) that we will get GPC.....Jack.

Jack_Itin

O.k. an update...have today received notification from DWP, we are entitled to £16:10 a week GPC..backdated to 1st August.....not sure what happened to the £21 but not complaining, now filling in CT reduction forms to take to council tomorrow....watch this space.....Happy Jack.