When can we apply for pip

diane39

My husband had a stroke oñ the 23rd August, it was quite severe he completely lost his right side.He can walk a little now but there's nothing in his arm,his speech is still slurred as well.Ive had to give my job up to look after him,he's having physio and his workplace has been great.
When can we apply for pips as ive heard different things like,straight away,in 2 months or 3 months?
I can't claim carers till he gets it and we'd also like a blue badge.

Spoonie_Turtle

For PIP the difficulties have to have lasted for 3 months and be expected to last for a further 9 months at least.  So while you can put the claim in now, any payment would be backdated to when it became 3 months after his stroke, not the beginning of the claim.

It will also depend on his prognosis and how any rehab is going, whether he is reasonably expected to make enough recovery to not actually score enough points to qualify for PIP.

Have a read of this
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/
and this
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria
for how PIP is assessed and scored.

He doesn't necessarily need PIP for a Blue Badge, he can apply for one via your local council.
Section 4.51 onwards may be of particular relevance here, especially the walking pace https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blue-badge-scheme-local-authority-guidance-england/blue-badge#determining-the-eligibility-of-individual-applicants

Alice_Holt

I'd suggest phoning the PIP line and requesting a PIP form soon, as it will take a while for the DWP to process it, arrange an assessment, and make a decision on the claim.
 
Also do some research on PIP, it's important that the form is completed as fully as possible detailing all the difficulties your husband has with the PIP activities. I'd recommend adding extra sheets,
You can also see what medical evidence can be submitted.

Some useful links:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

Your local advice charity may be able to help you with the PIP2 form.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
However membership for the guides costs c.£20 pa.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1144278/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf

https://www.headway.org.uk/media/9375/personal-independence-payment-after-brain-injury-factsheet.pdf

diane39

Thanks I'll ring them on Monday 

Bigwheels1111

Make sure you read and understand how to answer the questions.
Above you said, He can walk a little now.

Not a good answer. You missed out so many factors. Your help, aids etc and distance.
That can be used against you, You said he can walk. Zero points.

With my help lifting him from the chair and a zimmer frame to support him we can just about get him to the toilet 12 feet away. Or with my help I transfer him to the commode from his chair as he can not walk These would be better answers.

Filling out the form and dealing with PiP is like going to war.
Thats how we felt.
Keep every letter, form, time and date of calls etc.
Send copies of letters and keep scans or copies of forms you return to them.

I hope he recovers, My dad had what they called a slow burn. Multiple small strokes over a few days.
His speech is fine now, walking was never good in the first place due to spinal injury but a little better.
He can now use his drinking arm so is happy 😆.
Time and physical therapy helped.

Spoonie_Turtle

Bigwheels1111 said:

Make sure you read and understand how to answer the questions.
Above you said, He can walk a little now.

Not a good answer. You missed out so many factors. Your help, aids etc and distance.

To be fair to the OP they weren't answering a PIP question, they were just talking to members of a forum to give some context to their question.  I'm sure they will read up on how best to fill in the form and give a detailed answer. 

diane39

Thank you so much for your replies,dreading it tbh,it sounds horrendous 
Would you say it's better to apply by form or telephone, i suppose by form is better cos then you can think more about your answers. 

poppy12345

By phone is the quickest. Or you need to write a letter to start your claim but this way would be much longer. https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim 

Once you ring to start the claim they will send you the PIP2 form to fill in and return. Or they may offer you a chance to apply online and they will send you a link via email. 

GiroBoy

diane39 said:

Thank you so much for your replies,dreading it tbh,it sounds horrendous 
Would you say it's better to apply by form or telephone, i suppose by form is better cos then you can think more about your answers. 

I am assuming you live in England/Wales as in Scotland it is ADP (same rules tho 😊)

diane39

What determines whether its a phone assessment or a face to face one?

I do live in England 

poppy12345

diane39 said:

What determines whether its a phone assessment or a face to face one?

I do live in England 

Nothing specific. The majority tend to be by telephone. Some are still face to face or video. If a telephone assessment is preferred then he can request this.