Pip without any diagnosis

milla10
milla10 Community member Posts: 11 Listener
Hi, I was looking for a bit of advice, can you get pip without any diagnosis? I have been unwell since march last year with chronic body pain and a lot of other symptoms, I’ve seen a few specialists, had a lot of blood tests to rule out vitamin deficiency, spinal mri was normal but I am now being referred to neurologist for brain mri as I have many symptoms of ms, I also have every symptom of fibromyalgia but no diagnosis of anything yet, this has been a very long and stressful year for me and I’m no further on, it has made me extremely depressed and anxious and I have had to give up work due to my limited mobility, I was awarded lcwra in February, I got my first payment this month, now I’m unable to work I wanted to apply for pip but I’m worried as I have no diagnosis and I’m thinking have I even got a chance in being awarded anything? Is it worth trying for?

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,339 Championing
    edited March 21
    Please don't worry about considering PIP without a diagnosis - PIP isn't about any diagnosis, nor a lack of one, rather how the problems you have cause you have to have difficulty with 'reliably' being able to do/attempt any of the PIP descriptors, which please see here:

    https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

    PIP is about how you're affected 50% of the time, & if the difficulties you face are now expected to last a further 9 months.
    You can read about it all in more detail here:

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

    I'm sorry you've had to give up work, & understand how stressful this will have been for you, but, yes, PIP may well be worth applying for.


  • milla10
    milla10 Community member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thank you both for your comments, I am going to give it a try, I have nothing to lose at this point
  • TheManFromLondon
    TheManFromLondon Community member Posts: 323 Empowering
    milla10 said:
    Thank you both for your comments, I am going to give it a try, I have nothing to lose at this point
    Except your sanity during the process... 

    Seriously, yes, by all means apply, as advised PIP is not about diagnosis. Let us know how it went. Good luck.
  • milla10
    milla10 Community member Posts: 11 Listener
    milla10 said:
    Thank you both for your comments, I am going to give it a try, I have nothing to lose at this point
    Except your sanity during the process... 

    Seriously, yes, by all means apply, as advised PIP is not about diagnosis. Let us know how it went. Good luck.
    Thank you, I will
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    There's many people that claim PIP without a diagnosis. When you receive the form please make sure you include as much relevant information as possible, without telling your life story. 

    Also include a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. 

    Please have a read of the links chiarieds posted, especially the 2nd link. The more understanding you have of the descriptors, the better it will be for you. 

    If you have any additional evidence to send then please make sure you include that when returning the form. They very rarely contact anyone for any evidence. Make sure to include your name and NI number on everything you send and send copies only and keep a copy of everything for yourself. 

    You can ring to request extra time to return it and they will give an extra couple of weeks. 
  • milla10
    milla10 Community member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thanks poppy