New PIP Application

KMoo

Hi folks,
New to forums but have just started a claim for PIP and having forms sent out to me. I have done a lot of reading up and researching and believe I am within rights to claim (and be awarded). I have multiple (most) joint pain (being tested for arthritis at 26 y/o) and constant back pain so even getting up first thing in the morning is painful never mind having to go through my day, I have just been too proud till now, after being advised of PIP, funnily enough, by my jobcentre advisor and family and friends. It will take me at least twice as long to do something someone of no hindrance could complete quickly due to either a burning sensation pain in feet when walking or standing, weakness in grip when holding or something, unable to lift arms high enough without pain or inability to concentrate.

If anyone has any advice on how best for me to proceed it would be much appreciated, I am a bit scared of applying and the whole process but any extra monies would go a LONG way in helping and after telling my mother I had started the application their is no going back for me now lol!

NeilCr

This

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

is a pretty good guide to completing your PIP form. Be honest and describe how your condition affects you

I wonder as you are new this whether it would be an idea to get help. Maybe from your local CAB/advice centre who will have experience of filling in these forms

I hope it goes well for you

poppy12345

I would get help filling in those forms because they're complex and extremely long! CAB are great with helping but their waiting times are often very long. Try ringing them tomorrow to see if you can get an appointment in a couple of weeks for a time when you do have those forms. If you don't have them yet it may take 7-10 working days for you to get it. Evidence is very important part of the claim process and the more the better. This can be anything from Consultant letters, OT letters, GP letters, Letter from someone that knows you well or even a diary written by yourself. Furtur appointment letters aren't good though. You need to prove that those descriptors apply to you. Remember PIP is all about how your condition/s affect you daily. Hope this helps. I'm sure our more experience members will come along to advice you too. Good luck and hope you're not waiting too long for that assessment.

Alice_Holt

As PIP is based on a points scoring system it helps to know the activities / descriptors & points:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test
8 points are required for a standard award.

This is a useful guide to how the descriptors should be intrepreted:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547146/pip-assessment-guide.pdf
Pages 86 on are worth reading re reliability - so if it takes twice as long to complete an activity than normal, you should be assessed as not being able to do it.
Pages 97 on explain the activities. It is also helpful in explaining which aids accrue points.

The CAB guide NeilCr has posted is really useful.
And as poppy says medical evidence really helps.

Some more info:
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

Good Luck.

KMoo

Thanks for the advice!
I have already read the CAB and B&W links but the gov one is new, all appreciated :-D
I also have an appointment with Advice Works at end of month (if form comes before or isnt there yet I've to call and we'll rearrange accordingly) and I'll be taking my gran with me as my mum will be working and shes already taken days off work this month to help me get to doctors and hospital appointments -_-' shes a gem
Got an appointment with nurse on Wednesday and will have to make an appointment to see doctors for results of that so while seeing him will approach the possibility of him writing me a letter of support (though not vastly hopeful after reading quite a few saying their doctors have refused due to over work (understandable) and other reasons, but fingers crossed)

In all my reading and researching theirs one phrase that keeps staying at the forefront of my mind and I can't even remember where I saw it from now, but it was "Be Brutally Honest", meaning never downplay, sugar coat, wash over or deny symptoms out of self pride or any other reason which is something I struggled with 2 years ago when I had ESA assessment and was ruled as "fit for work", which I shall soon be going through again also (whoopee), But have started taking notes of pains I feel when I feel them and how they feel (if they progress or are a constant pain) and shall be giving to my doctor aswell as taking to F2F, or should I be aswell sending a copy away with application too with any other evidence I gather or will I be best waiting till F2F for this (if at all)?

NeilCr

I'd send any evidence you have with the form. That way they have everything current to look at

You can take it to the F2F too. With a pain diary you will have an updated version by then. I think there is always the banger with an F2F that you might forget something when you get in there so best to get all you can to them in writing

antrobus

KMoo wrote: »

..I also have an appointment with Advice Works at end of month (if form comes before or isnt there yet I've to call and we'll rearrange accordingly) ..

You can always download an print an example of PIP2
http://www.disability-equality.org.uk/uploads/files/6ef6dfdf99313a6e5c96fec6ddeb22cb.pdf

I would take heed of Alice Holt's advice above; study the activities, descriptors, and points awarded.

Basically (very simple version) PIP works on the basis of being awarded points for (a) needing to use an aid or appliance to do something, and/or (b) needing someone else's help to do something. My advice would be to, know what points you are going for, tick the right boxes on the PIP2 form, explain in the 'extra information' why you've ticked that box.

Q15 Additional Information is pretty open-ended. Give 'em a potted medical history, tell 'em how you've got to where you are today. A pain diary would be part of that.

Make sure that everything you say is consistent. That's why getting someone else to look through it could be valuable.

KMoo wrote: »

...But have started taking notes of pains I feel when I feel them and how they feel (if they progress or are a constant pain) and shall be giving to my doctor as well as taking to F2F, or should I be as well sending a copy away with application too with any other evidence I gather or will I be best waiting till F2F for this (if at all)?

My opinion is, send it all with the PIP2. Make it easy for them to reach the right decison.

KMoo

antrobus wrote: »

You can always download an print an example of PIP2
http://www.disability-equality.org.uk/uploads/files/6ef6dfdf99313a6e5c96fec6ddeb22cb.pdf

I would take heed of Alice Holt's advice above; study the activities, descriptors, and points awarded.

Basically (very simple version) PIP works on the basis of being awarded points for (a) needing to use an aid or appliance to do something, and/or (b) needing someone else's help to do something. My advice would be to, know what points you are going for, tick the right boxes on the PIP2 form, explain in the 'extra information' why you've ticked that box. .

I have done that, so for example for question 3B I would tick "I need supervision/assistance as my depression/anxiety causes me to be come easily distracted and 'space out' where I am not aware of what's around me. This accompanied with my having to sit on a low stoolfor regular breaks with standing when cooking a meal means I lose track of time and end up consistantly burning food. For the same reason I easily forget about food in the microwave until hours later.. Also due to a weakness in grip I have dropped pans containing hot water or cooked/cooking food and been unable to face the pain, discomfort and hassle of preparing another portion so often go skipping meals to acvoid the whole ordeal" ? (Also to go with 4C

sheeps68

Aside from the practicalities of the form filling you really need someone to support you as you go through the process of gathering evidence and form filling. We all find ways around difficulties and learn to adapt. However as you go through the forms etc you need to notice and accept all this as this is your evidence as it were. In doing it you can really feel down in realising all your limitations so support along the way is vital. I can practically help others in there applications as something I've done most of my working life BUT when it comes to doing it for myself I need support in doing it.

KMoo

sheeps68 wrote: »

Aside from the practicalities of the form filling you really need someone to support you as you go through the process of gathering evidence and form filling. We all find ways around difficulties and learn to adapt. However as you go through the forms etc you need to notice and accept all this as this is your evidence as it were. In doing it you can really feel down in realising all your limitations so support along the way is vital. I can practically help others in there applications as something I've done most of my working life BUT when it comes to doing it for myself I need support in doing it.

Yea definitely does.. my mum has started ringing me every day and will pop in few times a week and my gran too as all this (aswell as finding out I probably have arthritis at 26) has put me on quite a downer which doesn't help my already constantly low mood and then I feel cr*p for feeling more depressed because I already knew all the things I'll be writing down and have worked round them, even in caring for my 2 dogs which has become a struggle, I still grit my teeth through it as my dogs are the only reason I get out of bed every day..