Claiming PIP with severe Emphysema advice please?
Any thoughts, please?
Thanks
Michael
Comments
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Hi and welcome to the community
Pip isn't about a condition it is about how much the condition affects your ability to do the task as outlined in the descriptors
Have a look in our pip section for more details on the descriptors0 -
Hello @michael88 and welcome to the community.
A good way to figure out if you have a chance of being awarded PIP is to have a look at these descriptors and consider how your condition applies to them. Think of what happens when you try and do the activities, and whether you need any help to do them from another person or aid.0 -
@michael88, hello and welcome to the community. PIP is not awarded on a diagnosis, disability or illnesses but on how you cope and manage the PIP descriptors in a timely manner, safely and in a repeatable fashion fo 50% of you daily life. I would advise you take a self test on the benefits snd works site and see how you fair. Remember the answers you give in your application form will have to be justified at your assessment should you decide to make an application for PIP.0
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Hiya ? @michael88
just wanted to say I have the same illness and I get PIP (thank God!) So it is possible for sure? However it really is about how having it affects our ability to do the descriptors though as people have said above? I had never heard of them before I came on here but honestly completely changed everything for me!
I fully believed (as many do) that as long as I have a serious illness and diagnosis I would get dla/pip no matter what? As I thought that's what it is for? But since I saw the pip descriptors list etc I now see what they are actually interested in or looking at? And it's not got as much to do with what is wrong with us it's about what we can or can't do? Because 2 people can have exactly the same illness but they are affected in completely different ways? For example I know a lady who also suffers from emphasema and she only has to use an inhaler when outside? I have to use one all day every day no matter where I am or what I'm doing most of the time? So I now see why diagnosis isn't as important as the descriptors ??
Same as before I came here I thought an assessment was me telling them what happens to me on a daily basis and them writing it down word for word and telling DWP? Then someone at DWP makes a decision based on what I said?! But I found out it's actually not that way at all?
Anyhoo I won't go into all that now but this site has definitely helped me understand the whole process a lot better ?? so you are in a good place! So wish I'd known these things before I claimed but at least you will now! ?? Good luck with it all!1 -
Thank you all so much for taking the time to advise me, I will keep you informed.0
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Thank you I am also in the process of applying for PIP again after getting turned down last year as I was holding down a job! I have been off work sick since March but do not get sick pay so really am struggling financially. While I am feeling a bit better my illness has affected my severe emphysema and I know I am not physically able to return to my current post. Due to being on statutory sick pay and claiming universal credit this has impacted me terribly affecting my health and ability to manage financially! My mistake last year was taking annual leave when off poorly due to the financial implications! My work feel I am unable to return due to such a long period of illness. Emily you offered Michael some excellent advice but I really feel I need assistance to complete my application to ensure I am successful this time!
Any further advice will be gratefully useful. I do wish I could get assistance from Professionals but services are so stretched and everywhere I have approached has advised they cannot assist!
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Hi Michael, I would say yes, you will be able to claim PIP. What you have is bad and I know with the odd asthma attack, you can't do anything if you cannot breath.... You fill out the PIP form and describe how your condition limits you to do every day tasks, as per the descriptors.
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Hi @SueB1962,
I am so sorry how badly you've been affected as well as the financial impact and worries which in itself can really impact our health significantly.
You've mentioned you don't get sick pay but can you claim for SSP?
Do you mind me asking have you applied, via UC, for an assessment for LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Related Activities)? If you do, you have to have no breaks in supplying sick notes. You fill a UC50 form to apply for this. If awarded it is around £423.00 a month if you are deemed to be not suitable for any work.
Re: PIP. If you rent your housing from a local authority/housing association, they often have a Money and Benefits Team who can assist with making a claim. They helped me from 2022 to 2024, from application to Tribunal.
There Is a company called Fight4Justice, I think they're in Bury, Lancashire who I'm sure help with PIP but I think they charge but please check their website as Im not 100% sure.
There is also a website called Benefits & Work that have excellent guidance about all PIP aspects including guidance about specific health conditions. I think it is 20.00 a year to join for access to their 'Guides' I joined since my Tribunal to prepare for my review when it comes. I've not read it yet but did see there's Guides re COPD Long Covid etc which I think will help me.
Is it also worth being referred in your employment to Occupational Health for assessment? I had to do this (wasn't really my choice) but the three reports I received, and ultimately, my dismissal due to sickness absences on June 2023, did help I think, in both my LCWRA as well as PIP application.
I am not a benefits expert at all but hopefully others might come and advise re PIP and getting further help.
Finally, I appreciate you're not asking about this so excuse me and I hope you don't mind me asking, but I hope you're fully supported with your COPD/emphysema. I'm only just accessing the support of my local Integrated Respiratory Team after getting double pnuemonia again last week (had it Dec to Feb).
I've been a bit tardy myself in realising that I need this extra support and it's only because of the pnuemonia and seriously low 02 sats, that has woke me up to that. I may need nebulisers and then oxygen assessment but at least I'll be getting the right interventions. So just wanted to mention that so you're staying as safe as possible, I don't know why I've got this again but wondered if it was the weather but its knocked me for six so please take good care.
Please feel free to ask any questions at all and my very, very warmest of wishes to you.
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Hello @michael88 I'm so sorry to learn about your very disabling illness.
Yes. You can claim PIP. First, as other members have advised you, read through the discriptors. In my experience, it is common for people to underestimatte their disabilities when they've been living with them for a long time. With PIP, you can only "do" something if you can do it safely, reliably, in a timely fashion.
My suggestion is that before you start the process, you draft out answers, neither exaggerating or underestimating your limitations. Gather and phot-copy all medical evidence. The PIP1 form gives very little space for you to get your position across. It's certainly not enough just to tick boxes! You can attach as many additional sheets of A4 as you wish and write please see my 100 page answer in the box!
You write that you many have to give up work. PIP is for people in work as well as out of work. You're entitled to pursue your claim now.
All the very best
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Dear Santosha12 I really do want to thank you for your detailed and helpful reply! Bless your heart as I do think the whole process is far too difficult. I also know of others who have accessed PIP without being labelled as disabled! I think my case is going the same way as yours as my employer wants permission to contact my GP. While I do not mind it does seem intrusive when I am submitting sick notes and only getting SSP! She knew my diagnosis when she offered me the position as I would always be honest when accessing employment! I will keep you informed but honestly my experiences have also highlighted how difficult it is to access financial support when you should be entitled! Especially when you have always worked hard even with a diagnosis in 2006! I am 4.5 years from retirement and my health has seriously deteriorated in 2025??
But seriously THANK YOU for all your support!
SueB1962
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@SueB1962 oh you're very welcome. I can't say much (a change for me!) struggling a bit today with double pneumonia waiting for respiratory team to come in the am. Been busy ringing vets, dog sitter etc in case hospitalised but I'll come back on as soon as I can. Thank you for your reply and take good care.
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O bless your heart and here's me moaning about the financial implications of being so ill. You take care and my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kindest regards
SueB1962
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