Has anyone any experience with claiming PIP for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

IdaGobz

Hello,

Apologies if this has been answered, but I did try and search before posting!

I have been recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It is a type that jumps between different joints and has not as yet caused any permanent damage, but I have had constant flares for the last 6 months, each flared joint lasting a couple of days. When it happens, I cannot use the joint at all. It has also recently started to affect my eyes (scleritis) and ears (tinnitus). I've been on steroids for about 4 months but without much success at stopping the inflammation. I'm seeing rheumatology and ophthalmology consultants.

Because of the severity of flare ups, my doctor declared me unfit for work of the last 6 months. I had naively hoped I'd be back as normal by now but it's looking like this could be a long term condition. It's been suggested that I look into PIP but am unsure how my condition fits in with the criteria as it jumps from joint to joint. So for example, if my wrists and hands are flaring up, I struggle to bathe, take care of myself and dress by myself for a couple of days. Then my hands are fine, but it could be my hips, and I can't walk. It's like short, random episodes of incapacity of different actions. Today it is my knee and ankle, but was my wrists at the weekend. Has anyone experienced anything similar and successfully been awarded assistance? Everything I've read suggests you have to battle DWP and I'm not sure I've got it in me, but I'm concerned I need to look into things in case my ability to work extends for much longer. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance :-)

poppy12345

PIP isn't about your ability to work, or about any diagnosis. What matters is how those conditions affect you against the 12 PIP activities. You need to be affected at least 50% of the time over a 12 month period. Because it's not about a diagnosis, you can't really compare someone else to yourself because we are all affected differently by these conditions.

Have a look at both of these links, it will give you more of an understanding of the descriptors and criteria.

https://pipinfo.net/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Regarding fitness to work. Are you currently claiming SSP from your employer? If you are and this is due to end within the next 3 months (or it's ended) then if you've paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2019 to March 2021 then you can claim New style ESA, you'll need a fit note and your SSP1 form to claim it.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

There's also Universal Credit but because it's a means tested benefit whether you qualify will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=97331f0c-bb51-4b1d-ab00-117686a55800

If you claim both ESA and UC together then ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Alice_Holt

I think you should look at the impact of the condition as a whole.
With PIP it's necessary to fit the condition(s) to the PIP activities and descriptors.
So, if on the majority of days you can't do the PIP activities reliably then you may stand a good chance of a PIP award.
For instance - if on a couple of days a week you can't peel or chop to prepare food (or need an aid to open tins, etc) and on another couple of days you can't stand at a worktop to prepare food and need to sit (a perching stool is classed as an aid) - then that should score points.
The other activities that might be difficult because of arthritis in the joints might be dressing, getting in / out of the bath, and getting on / off the toilet (i.e holding onto rails for safety, cleaning oneself afterwards).  

For a standard award 8 points are needed.

If you look at the assessment guide poppy has linked to, that has a section on "reliably". It's key to getting an award. 

Think about what is involved in the activity, and how arthritis in the various joints affect that.

IdaGobz

That’s great, thanks for your help. I’ll have a look at the links.

peteuk

Gather as much evidence as possible, letters from specialist confirming diagnosis and current treatment.  Note any medication and side effects.

Have you had any OT input to look at aids you can get/ buy.  

Try and provide real life examples but also look at the activities.  Cooking for example is a simple meal for one using a hob. (Unless it’s changed recently)

Good luck! 

calcotti

peteuk said:  Cooking for example is a simple meal for one using a hob. 

or microwave