Pip

Greentench

Hi back in 2018 I applied for pip for my mental health issues which are Depression Anxiety mostly social Anxiety. Which after the review I failed with a score of 2 for daily living mixing with others and 4 mobility planning and following a journey. But after doing a MR and appeal at court I still lost. So this if the 1st time since 2018 I have looked at the paperwork and on Tuesday this week I applied. But since Tuesday I am finding it really difficult to fill the online forms in cos my Anxiety as got really bad I have not been able to sleep at nights and that make me so tired during the day. It doesn't really help that I got to migraine to universal credit by the 1st November as well. Which I have not started to do yet? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Greentench. I'm so sorry you're struggling with your anxiety. Is there anyone that could help you fill in the forms? Like a family member or friend?

Greentench

Yeah my wife helps me but I find it very stressful.

Emilee

With your migration to Universal Credit (UC), given how hard you are finding things I would recommend using Citizen's Advice Help to Claim service. They walk you through and support during the whole process up until you receive your first payment from UC, and then help check that it is correct. They may also be able to help with your PIP claim.

If you'd rather tackle the PIP claim alone, perhaps you could try and tackle a question a day? Do you understand the descriptors and the sort of information they are looking for?

Emilee

Just to clarify as I seem to be unable to edit my response, Citizen's Advice may be able to help with your PIP application, their Help to Claim service will not as they are only for Universal Credit.

Greentench

Thank you for your reply I thought last time I had a understanding of the descriptors but after receiving the report I really didn't?

Greentench

Sorry forgot to ask do citizens advice help you by phone call or do you have to go and see them? Only ask cos I find it really hard going out.

Emilee

They can help by phone call.

Greentench

I got till late this month to finish filling form in but can't face it at moment especially with being migration to UC and a appointment tomorrow at the job centre it's just all to much at the moment finding it really hard to cope.

Zipz

@Greentench You are going through so much that I wonder whether it might be healthier to scrap this new application for PIP. Instead, read up on the descriptors and write up your answers, which can be as long as need be, in your own time. Then, when you're ready, make your application using the paper form with all the evidence you have. You'll have strong answers ready and could be assessed on paper alone. All the best, Zipz

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Greentench, did you contact Citizens Advice? It's such a stressful time for you, do you have any mental health support in place? I know you said your wife can help with the forms, is she aware of how you're struggling?

Greentench

No not been in touch with Citizens Advice. My main support is my medication but when I am going through this I take more diazepam than I should. My wife knows when I am not right but I don't like to trouble her to much plus I find it really hard to talk.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Greentench. It's important that you don't take more medication than you're prescribed as it can be dangerous. I'm sure your wife would rather you opened up and talked to her. I know it can be difficult to talk sometimes but it could really help.

I've sent you an email, can you look out for it?

Greentench

OK Thanks

Greentench

Not received email yet?

Albus_Scope

Heya @Greentench apologies but it seems there were some gremlins in our email system, I've resent the email, so it should be with you shortly. 😊

Greentench

Thank you

Greentench

I am just getting over the anxiety of going to the job centre last Wednesday for the transfer to UC. Managed to start to feel a bit better yesterday after a couple of days finding it hard to get out of bed but did force myself in the end. But now got only a week or so to sort out my pip forms but as soon as I think about them it makes me really anxious again and it's doing my head in but I know it's got to be done. Ps not looked at forms for a while now.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Greentench. Have you received the email from us now?

That's great that you were able to force yourself out of bed. Are you trying to talk to your wife about how you're feeling? I know you don't like to trouble her but she'll want to help you.

Greentench

My wife just helped me fill in my pip form not too much left to do now. But had to stop cos I got a bit upset I do when I start reading about things. I still got my old results from 2018 which I lost in the appeal court. Still upsets me and that was 6 years ago. Plus I can't remember when these forms got to be in by I can't remember when I applied?

Greentench

Just found the email it was 26th September when I applied? So 4 weeks from then.