Help with completing my PIP claim form

Debs1979

Hi, I’m 51 and since going through Menopause 3 years ago I had had numerous medical issues.  About a year ago was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hip, unable to take medication as making my stomach really bad as had my Gallbladder and Gallstones removed few months ago and now on waiting list for hip replacement!! Any help or suggestions in completing my PIP claim
form would be greatly appreciated. Regards Deb x

steve51

Hi @Debs1979

Good Evening & Welcome to our Community/Family.

We have got some info on our site with regards to “pip”

Here’s the link for you below:

https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Fdisabled-people%2Fbenefits%2Fpip&index_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scope.org.uk%2Fsupport%2Fdisabled-people%2Fbenefits%2Fpip&auth=OdCmUepX8Eu01lD6Q10Fhg&profile=_default&rank=1&query=Pip

Please please let me know if I can help/support you further????

Liam_Alumni

Hi @Debs1979,

Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you here.

Citizens Advice have a great resource on their website to do with filling in the PIP claim form, which breaks down each question and what it involves, which you may find useful.

I've also moved this post into our PIP category, so other members of our community can offer further advice and support.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions then please do get in touch!

mikehughescq

1 - Identify those activities you have any kind of issue with.

2 - Identify whether the issue is that you can’t do the activity at all; can’t do it reliably, can’t do it repeatedly; can’t do it safely or in a reasonable time. If any one of these apply to an activity then you can’t do it at all and it’s okay to say so. However, as well as ticking the box saying you either can’t do it all need help or aids, remember to say which one(s) of the above apply.

3 - have a copy of the PIP points scoring system in front of you. The questions in the form don’t match the points scoring so it’s as well to be aware of this.

4 - For every activity you think you score points you need to think of 2 or 3 recent examples of incidents when you tried to do that activity. Describe in detail the what, when, where, who witnessed, what happened next etc. Don’t skimp on detail. It’s often better to type it up in Word first rather than write in the form. If it won’t fit then add extra sheets, remembering to put your name, NINO and the question to which the answer relates on each sheet. Alternatively, reduce the font and cut and paste the Word answer into the form.

5 - Use the extra information section to describe your conditions  in detail; the specifics of the symptoms and especially how they interact. 

Also use it to spell out that you want an ongoing award and explain why e.g. your condition is degenerative, you’ve done all the adapting you’re going to do etc. If you don’t specifically ask for an ongoing award you will get a short one. 

6 - Assuming your diagnoses are not in question and ditto the prognosis then ask yourself what gap in your evidence does medical evidence fill in terms of points scoring? If you can’t answer that then consider not sending it in. 10 reports all saying the same thing are no better than 1. Volume doesn’t win you PIP. Clarity and focus does.

7 - Whilst PIP ask for the form back in 4 weeks they will grant a 2 week extension without question if you ask. However, there is no actual deadline for deadline in the legislation as the deadline can be extended if reasonable and what could be more reasonable than having a medical condition which slows you down. Ask for an extension as a reasonable adjustment under EA 10 if applicable. 

8 - By all means get an advice service to do this but if they don’t do most of the above then you’re better off doing it yourself. 

Debs1979

Thanks Mike that was very helpful.....I’ve read so many things!!!