Hi, my name is nanjones1!

nanjones1

I’m due to have a full knee replacement around March 2020, am I able to apply for pip as soon as I get my operation date or do I have to wait?

chiarieds

Hi @nanjones1 - Welcome to the community, & thank you for joining.

As far as PIP goes, my understanding is that a person might have difficulties with either daily living activities, or mobility, or both for at least 3 months, & expect to have such continuing difficulties for a further 9 months at least to qualify. PIP isn't about a diagnosis, but how your problems affect you. Perhaps it might be considered that following a knee replacement you might manage better?

Please have a look at this link which may better explain: https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

If you need to ask more, please do say.

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

As surgery is usually only done to improve your conditions then you may not qualify under the 9 month rule. You will need to prove that your conditions will still be affecting you in 9 months as well as how your conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

nanjones1

Thank you both for getting back to me.  Once I have my first replacement I go straight on the list for my second full knee replacement.  I'm down as an emergency as I've been left for so long.  Hopefully then they should take that into consideration.  fingers crossed.

poppy123456

You're welcome, remember PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you. Have a read of this guide, it may help you understand the descriptors more because it's easy to think you should score x amount of points but it's not always possible. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @nanjones1 and a very warm welcome to the community, how are you getting?