Hi everyone, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted on here, so I really hope you’re all as well as you can be. Just out of interest, how many of you are still waiting to be called to apply for PIP, I’m still waiting, I’m on the higher rate of mobility and middle rate care of DLA, I’ve been on this for approximately 10yrs, I live in Huddersfield West Yorkshire, so if you’re still waiting, how long have you been on it and where do you live, take care all, x x
I was just doing a search on this subject! I’ve been on higher rate mobility for about 10 years, indefinite for most of them. I’m in Surrey and still waiting for the dreaded letter…
its very odd as i was called up last year and my two daughters get DLA and still havent heard anything its been over a year since i got mine.
My advise is to go on works and benefits web site and do their online test for PIP it will help you understand how the changes are and wha tyou will expect, and then start to gather all the information you can, as i am sure they are aiming to complete 2018. Jeez cant beleive we will be in 2018 in a few months.
Although reading this it seems to have changed from when i was migrated over.
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It’s definitely advisable to have as much information as you can ready for when you get the application form. There is a set return date for the form, but this 1 month period starts from the date you phone up and request the application not when you receive it. In my case, the application was delivered 1 week after I phoned, so that reduced my time and the date it had to be returned by was on a Sunday so, again delivery time had to be considered for its return.
Neil
I’m from Guildford and did mine last Sept. I would start typing and collect your evidence for care.
See sample form How individuals make a claim to PIP
PIP2: How your disability affects you (for reference only) (PDF, 296KB, 34 pages)
PIP is an NHS evidence paper trail. The DWP make the assumption that if you are so disabled you will have lost of reports to send. If you don’t get some. So get the right NHS paperwork and they will not need to do a face-to face assessment. Remember this is a social care needs analysis. Not about the condition, but how much help you need from others.
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Get a Care Plan from either your GP or MS Nurse. It will cover all of the PIP points. (This is free) This should include details about falls and hand rails, ramps. Your physical disabilities weak hands legs, walking etc.,. wheelchair use. How much help you get from others.
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Get a letter of support from you GP for your PIP (mine cost £13, it was worth it). To get this book a 20-30 min appointment, get a carer to go with you. Get your carers registered with your GP.
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Get your carers to write signed statements on how they help you with washing, dressing cooking, driving etc.,.
Carers can be informal unpaid relatives/friends or formal paid.
For the mobility questions you need to be a wheelchair/powerchair user and have a short-term memory problem, which make it difficult for you to follow a route plan without a helper.
Good luck!
Thanks everyone, yes I know about getting evidence together, can you believe I had a annual meeing with my MS nurse in August and we spoke about this, she doesn’t want to give me a letter of support because earlier this year she did one for another patient and they got knocked back twice beccause she forgot to include something in the letter, to say I’m gutted about this is an understatement, however when the PIP application comes I will be talking to her again as quite honestly I don’t think it’s right, I’m one of her patient’s for God sake. I have SPMS and my husband is now my full time carer, has been for nearly 2yrs, don’t walk unaided, use walker in the bungalow, scooter or wheelchair outdoors, hubby does everything at home, anyway guys, thaks again, x
Ask your GP for a Care Plan - you have a legal right to one - have your hubby or others who help you also registered as carers with your GP.
Guide your GP through where you think you should score PIP points.
Take this PIP self-test below, then print out your scores and take them to your GP appointment.
http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php
Get them listed in your Care Plan. You might need to book a longer appointment - mine took 30mins.
Fay
Thanks PJday, I’ve just spoken to my GP who is more than happy to help, my hubby is registered with them as my carer, great to be getting some good advice off this forum.
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Hi,
I asked my MS Nurse for a letter for when my PIP letter arrives. It may be of some use.
Regards, Anthony
I am writing this letter in support of this patient applying for Personal Independence Payment. He was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2009 by Consultant Neurologist in xxxx General Hospital.
He does experience symptoms of lower limb weakness, needing him to use a stick. Balance issues, and has had falls in the past. His mood can vary an he has in the past had mood swings, however this is fairly stable at the moment. He has experienced spasms in both his legs and this is managed by medication. He has neuropathic pain, which again, is managed by medication. He has urinary incontinence and uses a sheath for this. His hands are numb and he tends to be clumsy therefore needing help . He has urinary incontinence and uses a sheath for this. His hands are numb and he tends to be clumsy therefore needing help with activities around the house. At times his speech is slurred and pronouncing words can be difficult. He also experiences fatigue which does exacerbate all these symptoms, his symptoms are also exacerbated by heat.
Daily Living Activities
Preparing food
Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal.
Taking nutrition
He is able to do this unaided
Managing therapy of monitoring a health condition
Needs to use an aid and appliance to be able to manage his medication. He needs supervision, prompting and assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 3½ hours but no more 7 than hours a week.
Washing and dressing
Needs to use an aid and appliance to be able to wash and bath.
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
He uses a sheath to manage his bladder control.
Dressing and undressing
Needs an aid and an appliance to be able to dress and undress.
Communicating verbal
Can express and understand information unaided although can occasionally have slurred speech and difficulty pronouncing words.
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
Can read and understand basic and complex written information either unaided or uses verticals.
Engaging with other people face to face
Can engage with other people unaided.
Making budgeting decisions
Can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided.
Mobility activities
Planning and following journeys
Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided.
Moving around
Can stand and then move more than one metre but no more than 20 metres. This is variable and often uses a stick. He does have problems with his balance and lower limb weakness.
To my understanding this is a true reflection of how MS is affecting this person. These issues are consistent with clinic experience and research.
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Good letter Ant. And one which is worth sharing with other MS nurses as they don’t always know exactly what is required.
Basically, as others have said, there are still lots of people who’ve let to be ‘invited’ to make their claim for PIP.
Getting evidence together to cover the areas which Anthony’s letter highlights is good. Having a care plan is also a great idea. The evidence can come from your MS nurse, neurologist, GP, physiotherapist, carers, basically anyone who knows you well and can attest to your needs with regards to Care and mobility.
The evidence doesn’t have to be specifically written for PIP, it can just be the copy letters written to your GP after every appointment.
And joing benefitsandwork.co.uk is definitely workwhile.
Sue
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