PIP - new application. Supporting documents question

BlindBat

Hello, sorry another PIP question!

I have numerous sight issues that have progressively got worse and my eye consultant has signed my off as severely sight impaired (blind) and I have the CVI now.

My consultant (NHS) has recommended I apply for PIP as I can’t go anywhere without assistance and the same for other living at home tasks. My wonderful partner asks as my eyes basically. I’ve also been provided with a Blue Badge and I’ve applied for a few other things like the Railcard.

I’ve read lots of the advice on applying for PIP, especially the RNIB toolkit, and I’m currently waiting for the forms to arrive in the post.

My question is do I need to include any supporting documents? The reason I ask is because I don’t really have any! All I have is my certificate of visual impairment. Obviously I can provide information on the PIP form but I don’t have anything to support it. For example I cannot leave the house unaccompanied but how do I prove that? My visual fields are awful in both eyes but again I don’t have a document to say so. Should I be asking my NHS eye consultant for a letter or something or do they not do this? When I called the PIP helpline I gave my eye consultants details rather than my GP as my GP doesn’t have the full details (other than prescribing me eye medication).

advice greatly appreciated.

Noidea19

your Gp should have copies of diagnosis and treatments prescribed. You can get copies of those free of charge if not had them prior.

As for proving you need assistance leaving the house etc, just describe exactly what would happen if you didn’t have assistance. You can also ask your partner to write a letter explaining what help they give you. Just make sure they sign it.

You can take photo copies of any certificate and send those also.

Albus_Scope

Heya @BlindBat I just wanted to stop in and check how you're getting on now? Did you manage to get the application for PIP in ok?

BlindBat

I’m sorry.. I hadn’t spotted you had responded to me! I’ll sort my notifications out!

Update. The PIP2 form arrived. We spent a long time drafting the answers and finally sent it back last week. I received a text from IAS yesterday to confirm they had received and to hold tight. In my application I included the following evidence.. a witness statement from my wife, the CVI certificate, a letter of support and diagnosis summary from the ECLO at the eye hospital (she has been truly wonderful), and finally some older medical reports confirmed various diagnosis from Moorfields and a private consultant but these are quite old (10+ years).

In a related step I also had my interview with DWP for JSA as I left my job a few months ago. They advised me to go for ESA instead and my GP provided me with a Fit Note backdated to the CVI issue date. So the ESA application is in too now. I’m just unsure whether these muted changes to PIP and ESA assessments will impact me? I.e. will they combine my pip and esa assessment i wonder?

Thanks

poppy123456

There's no changes to PIP or ESA that's been officially announced. What you've seen or heard is just speculation.