My first time applying for PIP

helenasp

Just about to start my pip for for fibromyalgia Arthritis and heat disease feeling so overwhelmed at the thought of it have never claimed anything before and have been reading such horror stories 

steve51

Hi @helenasp

Good Evening & Welcome it’s great to meet you today.

I am one of the Community Champion’s here at Scope.

We have got some good info on Pip on here that I will post below for you.

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/personal-independence-payment-pip/

Please please let me know if you need a hand going through it??

@steve51

helenasp

Thank you so much will have a read

steve51

Hi @helenasp

No probs that’s my Pleasure ??

Can I please bring to attention (Descriptors)

These are what are used to meet each question/answer you provide in the pip forms.

Please read through the info & I can advise you further.

@steve51

helenasp

Certainly will and thanks

steve51

Hi @helenasp

No probs that’s my Pleasure?

@steve51

chiarieds

Hi @helenasp - & welcome to this friendly & supportive community. Many people claim PIP successfully; unfortunately you see the tales of those who haven't on the internet. I'm pleased you've joined, as hopefully we may be able to help.

Probably the most important thing to know about PIP is that altho you list your disorders on the claim form, it is about how these impact in your daily life; how it affects your functional ability. As well as the info Steve has given, please look at the following link, which describes the 'descriptors,' or activities, as also mentioned above. Please see: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Scores-for-PIP-Descriptors-2020.pdf    & also read the notes at the end.

Where possible you should give a couple of examples of the difficulty you face for any descriptor that applies. Rather than saying I can't do this/have difficulty with this due to my fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc., say why it's difficult, is this because of stiffness, pain, or because it exhausts you during/after an activity? What exactly happens when you try to do it; what stops you from doing an activity; can you repeat the activity as often as you'd like; does it take you longer, if so why; do you need assistance, etc?

Hope this gives you an idea, & don't hesitate to come back with any queries you may have after reading the info we've both given.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @helenasp and welcome to the community! Please do let us know how you get on and if there is anything else we can do to help.

helenasp

Thank you so much for
your advice I will certainly have a look and keep you informed