pip entitlement - first time applying

Spaniel05

Hi Everyone,

This is all new to me, and I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing, anyway in February I started getting an achy back and had pins and needle in my legs, and found my walking was getting slower and painful.

I went to A and E who suggested an mri scan, I had that done, which came back as degenerative recess narrowing at L4/L5 maybe irritating L5 nerve roots, L3/L4 disc bulge facet and flaval hyperthrophy mild canal and lateral recess narrowing. L4/L5 disc bulge facet and flaval hypertrophy mild to moderate canal narrowing, severe right lateral recess narrowing.

Now in August I have been to my doctors as the back pain is worse, I can hardly bend, lift anything heavy, and the pain in my legs is worse when I walk, like a dull ache sometime pins and needles. I am 50 and don't want to feel like this forever.

I don't know if I should apply for pip, I am awaiting an appointment to see the orthopaedics at the hospital.

Any help appreciated.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

It sounds like you would be entitled to PIP.

You can see the PIP descriptors here, with the points awarded for each descriptor.

You need at least 8 points for standard rate. Or 12 points for enhanced rate.

The points are split between daily living and mobility tasks, as shown in the table.

PIP - table of activities, descriptors and points (citizensadvice.org.uk)

flour

Hi @Spaniel05

You should apply for PIP today by calling the new claims freephone number. Whilst waiting for the form I would put the time in to a well prepared application.

I would keep a record of how your condition affects you using the citizens advice PIP diary.

I would do this for several days first whilst waiting for the form. Its a great starting point to then answering the questions on the PIP form. There are 12 activities they look at and the diary will help you answer these.

Once you've done the diaries and are ready to fill out the form make sure to think about the reliability regulations of PIP as these are important to you.

Reliability regulations of PIP means to be not given PIP for a particular activity then you need to able to carry out the activity all 4 of: safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in reasonable time.

For you, even though you can walk - can you do it whilst also ticking all 4 of the above? I doubt it because you said you were in pain. Being in pain is not to an acceptable standard.

Diary:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Documents/Advice%20%28public%29/pip-diary.pdf

Please come back if you have more questions.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Spaniel05 and welcome to the community.

PIP is based on how your condition affects you day-to-day, not a diagnosis. Keeping a diary is a fantastic idea. Definitely take a look at the descriptors that have been linked then you'll be prepared for when you apply.