PIP is confusing when it comes to aids.
There’s a good point about having all the aids you need already - you might score 0 points for cash.
Have you listed aids - stuff you need - and don’t have already - and can prove you need?
That’s what will get you points and PIP money.
I already have a manual wheelchair - but now need an electric one.
I mentioned this is what I would buy - if I have PIP.
All the best.
I hope it doesnt go against me, but since i have had DLA i have upgraded my scooter 3 times. Its not just about buying aids anyway it cost me 40.00 to get a taxi to take me to the hospital for appointments.
Oh well what will be will be.
I’ve been reading this thread, it all seems rather confusing. I currently live independently. I employ help in the garden regularly, but anything I can’t manage, I have lovely friends. I’m a 6.5. I use a walker, not usually in the house. Balance is a big issue, usually got plenty of cuts & bruises. A few weeks ago I was at my wits end falling, including in the house. My MS nurse said I should use a wheelchair for my own safety. I told her I had no strength left to propel a chair. She had no answer. Is it time to apply for PIP? I’m thinking about a scooter, electric wheelchair, help on the domestic front. How is it assessed, point system etc?
if someone could enlighten me, it would be much appreciated.
thanks
claire
HI SB, I think that’s only for ESA. As far as I know no changes have been made to PIP.
Pat xx
Well i got a phone call really quickly when i rang Aged UK to tell them my forms had arrived. 2 days later actually yesterday (Saturday), i was contacted by a lovely lady from DWP assessment group i think thats what she said, not sure, anyway she is coming to fill in my forms for me. She told me roughly what i will need to have ready, which i have anyway. So she is actually from what I gather employed by DWP. She is coming on the 2nd November as next week she is on holiday.
I am rather impressed at the speed of the contact, and what will be now will be. She can see for herself what and who she is dealing with, I know i could never have done the forms on my own, my handwriting is dire, and my husband cant write very well he has the shakes.
Really am impressed with Aged UK and for the quick contact. It was the lady i spoke to when i rang up about going for my PIP migration from DLA, who recommended i contacted Aged UK. So perhaps sometimes being an old mean granny is useful lol.
Hi CC.
I’m so pleased you are getting the help you need. I am doing my own form. I didn’t really think I would have a problem with it as I did my own DLA before. BUT, no. I am having a nightmare trying to make sure I am explaining exactly what my problems are and how I deal with it. It is a slower process than I thought. I found CAB’s site very helpful if you don’t understand the question very well. They explain to you just what they are asking.
It sounds as if you have some lovely people making sure you are ok with your claim.
I wish you all the very best with it. Fingers crossed here for you,.
Take a deep breath. Answer each question as if it was a stand alone question and you were telling somebody with absolutely no knowledge/understanding about the condition and what the effects are. So, don’t just say “I have balance problems” explain if this makes you fall, what you need to do/use to prevent you falling etc. Remember that it is not a binary “I can”/“I can’t” question. You jeed to be able to do things SAFELY, RELIABLY and/or REPEATEDLY. That is the mantra you must be thinking of in every answer.
Definitely look at Benefits and Work. Their information is invaluable. You need to pay (about £20) to get access to their full guides but they are worth every penny. They also have a very good forum where their resident experts answer your specific questions.
I know that I keep saying this as well but it really is very true and useful, DON’T LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE LITTLE BOXES ON THE FORM! Type them onto continuation sheets (making sure that eack sheet is headed with your name and NI number/reference number) and tell the full story of your daily experience of living with MS. You are the only person who really knows what that life involves and this is your chance to tell it like it is.
I took Dollydaydream advice:
“its possible that you won’t see an assessor at all if your letters/evidence is enough to support your claim.”
“there’s no such thing as too much evidence”.
Many thanks Dolly - I followed your instructions, and I won’t have to see an assessor. The DWP have enough evidence and will let me know soon.
I will sleep easy tonight.
I had my Pip assessment early March and got the results last week. I was just speechless as my husband read it out. I’ve lost £260 a month. I was amazed that their were 6 to 7 lies on there too. They have said that I told the assessor things that I have not. I’m not going to go into anymore detail, just to say that I was an emotional wreck after and have been suffering really badly with stress because of this. Leaving the issue of money on one side, do these people have any idea how hard it is for us to face up to what we are unable to do. I try not to dwell on how ms affects me, but doing this and having the result I have had I am feeling lower than I have for a long time. Naturally I am going to appeal this and the CAB are helping me with it. Trouble is, I keep getting letters telling me what money will be taken off me because I no longer have the full allowance.
I just hope that anyone else who has a face to face interview meets with a better person than I did.
Take care all Buffy
Did you include your care plan and GP letters etc.,.?
If you provide enough evidence they won’t pay you a visit.
The PIP form is tricky - full of traps - and misleading questions.
Get more professional help.
Also try these:
PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Request Letter Tool
http://www.advicenow.org.uk/pip-tool
How to win a PIP appeal
All the best with the MR,
Fay
Hi Fay.
I’ve been told that everyone has a visit now. I included everything I could. My doctor gave me a print out of my medication and medical conditions. She said if they want more they can ask her. But, now I will have to ask my doctor to help me again even if I pay for a private letter or something. She told me that they make us get evidence as if they ask they have to pay. I’m sure I filled it in properly, I had my husband help with it and we took our time. Thanks for your help, I will try these sites. I have an appointment next tuesday with the CAB. Hopefully they will be able to help. I have all my paterwork ready for t hem. Hand on heart, the report is full of lies and it’s just so upsetting too.
Hope you are well. Take care Buffy ( I’ve had PJday today myself…lol.)
My GP’s letter was just £13. Worth it.
It explained me well - especially
how much help I get from others with daily living and that I have a history of falls etc.,.
A short letter but spot on. She mentioned why she supported my application for PIP.
My care plan was detailed too - again more focused on what I can’t do - and how much help I need
every day. So less medical and more about my physical care needs.
Anyway have another PJday. I’m here if you need help.
Hi Fay.
Thanks for another uplifting response. I’ve shown my husband what you have written and he thinks it is so very kind of you. I’ve only just come on here as I am limited to how long I can be on the computer, due to eye, head and face pain caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am an extremely high prescription for glasses and contacts and have cataracts developing too. I have had a haemorrhage at the back of one of my eyes too (causeing a section of sight to disappear). I also carry Retinitous Pigmentosa by the X gene and am told that causes a weakness in the eyes. I have to have the computer on a very large font and use a magnifying glass for normal size print. However, the pip assessor has said that I’ve told her I use a mobile phone, use a tablet and also enjoy reading books. This hurts because I had used to love to read and so on. This is just one of the lies she has told. The only reason for telling you this is to say that the lies she told are by no means just small ones. I’m at my doctors on friday 28th April and at the CAB Tuesday 2nd May.
Thanks once again. I now feel that it is the right decision to appeal. I think when someone does this to you, you are so deflated that you just want not to have to think about it 24/7.
Hope you are having a good day Take Care Buffy
Buffy, the important thing about PIP evidence letters, documents is healthcare professional witnesses accounts on how much care you need and get from helpers.
So, not so much what pills you take, or what condition you have - but evidence of physical help needed with daily living or mobility.
I included 7 document 4 of these were the MS Nurse care plan, GP’s letter plus 2 witness statements from carers - signed - on what help they give me everyday - washing, dressing, cooking, driving, helping me transfer to my wheelchair etc.,.
So think of letters as witness statements.
Good luck!
Fay
I am due to go for my Pip consultation on Friday coming. I found the form useless for me as I have only recently been diagnosed with MS and fortunately can still do a lot of things for myself. I’m thinking I’m probably not entitled to anything but I will give it a go anyway.
I had a PIP assessment last year and hardly scored any points at all.
As I can do most things without aid it was a bit of a waste of time. Why they approached me in the first place needs to be questioned. I was just going with the flow. I think the worst thing I could have done was not go.
Whether it`s true or not I was told they watch you arrive and take notes on your condition.
I understand where you are coming from PJ. It’s not what causes the problem, but the help we need dealing with it. My doctor was just wonderful. She knew exactly where I was coming from. She is doing me a letter ready for the end of this coming week…I can tell the CAB on tuesday that I have this coming.
Take Care Buffy