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Claiming PIP

Afrigo

Hi I have received the forms for making a claim for PIP, however I am not sure if I should go ahead with a claim. I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and I also suffer from dyspraxia. I live in supported accommodation provided by the Abbeyfield Society, this charity provides this type of support for people over 55, I have just turned 64.

My wife and stepchildren live in Uganda. I visit them as often as I can. traveling is difficult . I need to request an **** as each time I fly as I catastrophize in my mind particularly this involves the process of going through airports. I hope to move to live with my family after I reach state pension age which should be when I turn 66.

I have been doing permitted work under the rules pertaining to Universal Credit, I work twelve hours per week for the NHS, this finishes on the 26th February as my contract was for a fixed period of twelve months.

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Comments

chiarieds

Hi @Afrigo - & welcome to the community.

As far as PIP goes, it's not about any diagnosis, but rather how your disability affects certain activities of daily living &/mobility. Have a look at the activities/descriptors that are looked at with PIP: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

When completing the form you should give a couple of recent, detailed examples as to the difficulty you face for each applicable descriptor, i.e. when did it happen, where, what happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity?

Say if you can do each applicable activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes you much longer than someone without a disability. See this mentioned at the end of the link above.

PIP is also about how you are the majority of days.

You may find this link helpful for completing the claim form: https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/

Try keeping a diary for a week or so. Just complete a few questions at a time, & you can always add extra pages at the end. Just ensure you put your name & National Insurance number on each page. You can also ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to ask for extra time to complete the form, & you will be given another 2 weeks without question. Keep a copy of everything 'just in case,' & get a free Certificate of Posting from your Post Office when sending the form off.

Do come back with any questions.

Afrigo

Thank you very much. This is useful advice.

chiarieds

You're very welcome

Afrigo

One other query I am due to visit my family in Uganda for three weeks in February. I will as usual require an **** through the airports. Will the fact that I am traveling overseas count against me when putting in a claim for PIP?

chiarieds

No, as you do not as yet have an award for PIP. With an assessment you may be asked if you go on holiday, but you'd then explain why you need someone to **** you. If awarded, your claim will continue past state pension age, & also if you are absent from the UK taking a holiday for up to 13 weeks at any one time (the DWP say you should inform them if going to be absent for 4 weeks or longer), but will cease when you go to live abroad being absent from the UK for more than 13 weeks.

Afrigo

Thank you again Chiared, your a star.

poppy123456

I note that you're both also claiming Universal Credit. You must make sure that neither of you go out of the country for longer than 1 month each time. If you do then your UC will stop.

Afrigo

Thank you Poppy, I am aware of the four week rule and am out of the country for three weeks. Whilst I want to see my family for obvious reasons (Article 8 of the UN Human rights Charter) I also have to satisfy Ugandan Immigration that I do come to the country as I eventually want dual citizenship.

Afrigo

Hi Woodbine there is not a lot I can do if I am called for assessment whilst I am away. My mail is monitored. I pick up email, other than that it is fingers crossed!! Thank you for your input.