Hi, my name is Nellyelly! I had some help filling out my PIP form but the writing is illegible

Nellyelly

Hi, I've just joined, nice to meet you all. I'm in despair as got help yesterday to complete a PIP review form but when I got home & was checking it to make sure he had included everything I said & also had to add a couple of dates to the form that I'd forgotten to take the paperwork for, I've realised the writing is practically illegible! I have to send it off as I've had 2 extensions but I don't think they're going to be able to decipher it....what can I do? I'm so stressed out over the whole thing & keep crying ever since I received the form! I have no help from anyone & really struggling with life at the moment which is badly affecting my depression & sleep & pain levels! 
Sorry for long post but can anyone help?

PS, I know all the different agencies but what I need is someone to come round & practically help me go through all my medical paperwork which is in a big pile & help with future forms also. I did take all the paperwork with me which was a struggle as I don't drive but he wouldn't look through it & I got in a mess so probably haven't even included half the information I needed to!

Ross_Alumni

Hello @Nellyelly

Welcome to the community, nice to meet you. 

I am sorry to hear of how this process has impacted your well-being, especially after getting the form filled in and the relief that comes with that, only to find out that it's hard to understand the writing. 

If you have concerns around them understanding what the writing says, you could call up and explain those concerns to the DWP to see what they say about it. Once they've received it they might be able to confirm to you whether it is legible or not.

Do you have any friends or loved ones who can help you with your paperwork? I am unsure of exactly where you would be able to find professional support from somebody who would come to your home, but Advice Local is a good place to look for such support. 

It's concerning to read that you are struggling with life at the minute, and with your mental health. Do you have any support in place from anybody, such as your GP or other health professionals, to manage daily tasks and your mental health?

chiarieds

Hi @Nellyyelly - welcome to the community. I'm so sorry to read about the difficulties you've had with your PIP review form. I think Ross' idea is a good one to ring up & explain, as the best thing would be to get another form sent out.

The only other thing I can think that may be helpful is to see if you can get an advocate to help you. Please see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/someone-to-speak-up-for-you-advocate/

I know one of our members was helped by Voiceability, but they're not in all areas: https://www.voiceability.org/

In the meanwhile, all you need for your PIP review, as far as medical evidence goes is just 2 or 3 things which may give your diagnosis, if that. As PIP is about how your disability affects you with regard to certain activities of daily living &/mobility, lots of medical letters, for example, are not needed, as your diagnosis won't be in dispute. So please don't worry about your medical evidence (more than 50% of people are awarded PIP with no medical evidence whatsoever).

woodbine

@Nellyelly hi and welcome to scope, I'm sure the DWP are used to receiving forms that are barely legible, as for evidence it's usually a good case that less is more, they wouldn't have time to read through page after page.