I was denied PIP a few years ago and it's put me off applying again. I can't work, what should I do?

BeckyForb40

Hi I'm Becky, 
I am looking for some advice. 
In 2016 I was a part-time working single mum of three children one being Autistic so also his carer. 
One day I woke up and couldn't walk due to pain my back and sciatic pain down my right leg. I had an MRI and was found to have 2 degenerative disc's a hurniated disc and a bulging disc. I had physio and pain relief but nothing really helped.
 I gave up my job as I couldn't physically stand in a cold playground every day. 
 Ontop of my bad back I also have severe asthma and have three inhahylers and have to take 4 lots of tablets one being a strong antibiotic I have to take for the rest of my life as I have a very low immune system and get 4-6 chest infections a year. 
I applied for Pip hoping I could get some financial support as my back was just getting worse. 
The lady came and assessed me scoring me 0 points and saying things that were not true. Such as I was apparently kneeling on the floor ? 
Fast forward to 2021 my back pain is worse, and sorry if its tmi but I have lost bowel function. The pain is so intense and I have sciatic/ nerve pain down both legs and in my neck. 
 The first assessment has put me off applying again as they will just say no, but I can not physically work as the pain is too much. I have been told by the surgion that they will not do anything to my back until I can no longer physically walk. Im at a loss, please can someone tell me how I'm supposed to support my family if I can not work. The system is so unfair ?
Thanks for any advice
Becky

poppy123456

Hi,

PIP is not about your ability to work or about a diagnosis. It's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activities based on the PIP descriptors. Lots of people work and claim PIP.

Have a read of this. https://pipinfo.net/

If you apply again when you fill out the form you should add a coupe of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. You should aim for at least one A4 side of paper per descriprtor that applies to you.

Medical evidence is only useful if it states exactly how your conditions affect you, most don't and will only state the basics like diagnosis, medication etc etc.

You may also want to get some expert advice to check that you definitely qualify. Start here for that. https://advicelocal.uk/

If you do apply and the worst happens and you're refused you should challenge that decision by first requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration following by Tribunal if needed. To constantly reapply using the same evidence could see another refusal.

Do be aware that backlogs are huge and estimated timescale from applying to having a decision is about 10 months.

calcotti

Are you claiming other benefits to support yourself?
Try a benefits calculator.
https://benefits-calculator-2.turn2us.org.uk/

Nader

poppy123456 said:

Have a read of this. https://pipinfo.net/

This is an excellent info source. Thanks Poppy.

Alex_Alumni

Hi @BeckyForb40 and thanks for joining the forum. I'm sorry to hear how your back pain is impacting you. If the pain is so bad you've lost bowel function then it's really important you get immediate medical advice if you haven't already, go to A&E or ring 111 as soon as you can. It sounds like you're coming up against a lot of barriers here, but what you've shared suggests that you do need urgent care for your back and sciatica.  

I hope poppy123456 and calcotti's advice is helpful to you. The process of applying for PIP can seem incredibly daunting, so when you are able, it helps to prepare yourself with some real world examples, perhaps keep a diary of the 'consequences', so for example, extreme pain or fatigue, or an inability to walk due to attempting one of the descriptors.

Please let us know if we can be of any further help

Alex