PIP Attending Medical

MECFS_2

90% of the time I am unable to go out alone. I never use public transport. I have a carer insured on my car who does most of the driving. It depends on the journey length and duration. Driving 0.9 miles to my GP on my own is ok but driving to the hospital is not as it's further. Driving isn't a great idea because in addition to the restrictions my disabilities cause I'm on a prescription of painkillers that Kieth Richards would be jealous of so my concentration isn't that great/safe for driving. I am in too much pain to use public transport.

w06

variability is fine to mention, my DLA award (indefinite middle care and higher mobility since late 90s) and now my PIP award (enhanced both bits) both mentioned that although my condition varies bla bla

I htink if it does vary, as most conditions do, even if you've lost a limb there would be good days and bad, it actually gives you more credibility to say so.

honestly just be honest and try to remember that the horror stories you hear are a biased sample, 'it all went fine, the nurse was really reassuring, i got more than I expected' doesn't make the headlines. Mine went fine and it woudl've been very easy for the nurse or decision maker to assume I was exaggerating as common conditions with oddly severe consequences.

edit to add, and all the stresses about filling the form in well, it took me a bottle of merlot to complete the form, having left it to the last night i couldas i was dreading having to think just what I can't do. my handwriting is like a drunk spider at the best of times and the assessor agreed she could barely make any of what i'd written out. Just meant it was more heavily based on the assessment. I'd not heard of a descriptor until after the assessment.

MECFS_2

The way you filled in the form gave me a laugh! I agree. There is such a thing as being over prepared, having too much information and then screwing the form up by worrying what the ' right' answer is.

Cyclamen

My writing is illegible now and its painful so..
I type my answers in word (then i have them to edit for next time to save energy stress).
I print labels that say ..see additional info sheets page (leaving a gap to add page number)
Ni number, name, date of birth, question number and page number on every additional sheet. Hole punch top corner and tie with string.

A link to the MS society guide (free)
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-resources/claiming-personal-independence-payment-booklet

Me assoc PIP guide (Currently £3)
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/shop/benefits-leaflets/pip-guide/

There are other guides but those are the ones i prefer..

There is often not a 'right answer' but many possible answers and as long as you tell the truth and that includes taking of the rose tinted specs we live with and saying how bad it can be too you have done your part.

I find it far easier to do friends/family forms than my own.. it is horrible to look at things in writing.

I think it is perfectly possible to write for weeks on these forms and whilst a certain amount of info is needed it can become a huge task that grows out of proportion. Remembr the face to face assessor only has 20 minutes or so to read the form (they can take longer if they wish), that bullet points and spelling, grammar errors are all fine.

hang in there

MECFS_2

Thanks for the information. I'd downloaded the old MS society guide from the link at Foggy Friends but I think your link is the newer version. I've read quite a few guides now!!!