PIP when work as a lecturer

sheri1381

I'm very new to PIP and I have a question which I appreciate if you guide me.
I'm a part time college lecturer at the moment. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Artheritis 2 years ago.
Unfortunately the illness has affected my function and mobility. I have problem sitting, walking, daily routines. Even writing is very painful these days. I'm fed up with pain but I feel committed to my students and it's near exams days so I have to continue but I have to drop my hours from next academic year due to my health problems.
I was advised to apply for PIP. I called yesterday and I'm now waiting for the form to arrive.But from what I read since yesterday, it is very unlikely my claim be successful as I work. I prefer to withdraw if there is no chance. Could any body advise please.Thanks a lot.

calcotti

PIP is assessed on the difficulties you have carrying out the activities looked at. Lots of people work and claim PIP.
Make sure you understand the descriptors and point scoring system
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

Alex_Alumni

Hello @sheri1381 and welcome to the community, thanks for reaching out this morning. 

As Calcotti says, lots of people who claim PIP also work, myself included. Do have a look at the descriptors they've shared and make a note against each one of a real life example, a time when you tried to carry out the activity mentioned, and what happened as a result. 

To put it another way, PIP is assessing how your disability or health conditions impact on your ability to carry out the activities listed. 

Citizens Advice has guidance on the process laid out step by step, which I hope is helpful for you.

If you'd prefer you can also give the Scope Helpline a call or email, if you'd like to run through things with one of our advisors.

If you're still unsure of anything then please do ask, and we'll do what we can to support you

Alex

Cartini

Hi Sheri1381,

I have lumbar & cervical spondylosis which is, as my Dr believes, now causing stenosis (I have an MRI scan on the 25th April to investigate further).  I was awarded PIP Daily Living at the enhanced rate....... and I work, albeit 3 days a week, but I am working.

My approach to completing the PIP form was, for want of an expression, compartmentalised.  I sat down with my laptop and just brain dumped everything I could for each environment (both indoors and outdoors) I use.  For example, I brain dumped how I get on in the bathroom (Activity 4):

Holding the sink when I clean my teeth (classed as an aid)

Had a grab bar fitted over the bath for when I have a shower (classed as an aid)

I no longer have baths because my condition would make it difficult getting in and out (safety)

I can`t clean myself as thoroughly as I would like because I have to hold the grab bar all the time (safety)

For each activity in the PIP application form, I "allocated" an environment and just dumped everything I could think of for that area.

I submitted 52 pages of answers, evidence and a diary covering a week.  I made sure I used "considerable pain", "breathlessness", "resting", "mobility" and a few other meaningful words to describe my life / the effect my condition has on me throughout my application.

I`m extremely thorough in everything I do, so made sure I got my points across in a very detailed manner.  I gave distances, times taken and the impact on me for mobility for both indoors and outdoors.  Despite being in considerable pain by the time I get to 10m and having to stop and rest for up to 5 minutes at 25m (the distance to my drive gate), the assessor entered in her write up "this suggests that he can walk 200m".  The Decision Maker agreed and I achieved only 4 points for mobility; I`ve now submitted a Mandatory Reconsideration.

What I would suggest is:

Read as many threads on Scope as you can for PIP.

Join "Benefits and work" to access their written guides and also read through as many PIP threads on that site as you can.  These 3 actions will give you all the "phrases" and "expressions" needed to cover all the activities in the PIP application.  

Hope this helps,

Andy

sheri1381

Thank you very much all for the great information. I feel a bit nervous as I've heard the assessmentsession is quite intense and I don't want any more stress as it triggers my condition. 
Any way, I'm so happy that I found here to ask my questions and get great advice

sheri1381

Thanks a lot Andy
Such a great help
I'll do exactly the way. Hopefully it works

Cartini said:

Hi Sheri1381,

I have lumbar & cervical spondylosis which is, as my Dr believes, now causing stenosis (I have an MRI scan on the 25th April to investigate further).  I was awarded PIP Daily Living at the enhanced rate....... and I work, albeit 3 days a week, but I am working.

My approach to completing the PIP form was, for want of an expression, compartmentalised.  I sat down with my laptop and just brain dumped everything I could for each environment (both indoors and outdoors) I use.  For example, I brain dumped how I get on in the bathroom (Activity 4):

Holding the sink when I clean my teeth (classed as an aid)

Had a grab bar fitted over the bath for when I have a shower (classed as an aid)

I no longer have baths because my condition would make it difficult getting in and out (safety)

I can`t clean myself as thoroughly as I would like because I have to hold the grab bar all the time (safety)

For each activity in the PIP application form, I "allocated" an environment and just dumped everything I could think of for that area.

I submitted 52 pages of answers, evidence and a diary covering a week.  I made sure I used "considerable pain", "breathlessness", "resting", "mobility" and a few other meaningful words to describe my life / the effect my condition has on me throughout my application.

I`m extremely thorough in everything I do, so made sure I got my points across in a very detailed manner.  I gave distances, times taken and the impact on me for mobility for both indoors and outdoors.  Despite being in considerable pain by the time I get to 10m and having to stop and rest for up to 5 minutes at 25m (the distance to my drive gate), the assessor entered in her write up "this suggests that he can walk 200m".  The Decision Maker agreed and I achieved only 4 points for mobility; I`ve now submitted a Mandatory Reconsideration.

What I would suggest is:

Read as many threads on Scope as you can for PIP.

Join "Benefits and work" to access their written guides and also read through as many PIP threads on that site as you can.  These 3 actions will give you all the "phrases" and "expressions" needed to cover all the activities in the PIP application.  

Hope this helps,

Andy

sheri1381

Thanks a lot 
Very useful information

Alex_Scope said:

Hello @sheri1381 and welcome to the community, thanks for reaching out this morning. 

As Calcotti says, lots of people who claim PIP also work, myself included. Do have a look at the descriptors they've shared and make a note against each one of a real life example, a time when you tried to carry out the activity mentioned, and what happened as a result. 

To put it another way, PIP is assessing how your disability or health conditions impact on your ability to carry out the activities listed. 

Citizens Advice has guidance on the process laid out step by step, which I hope is helpful for you.

If you'd prefer you can also give the Scope Helpline a call or email, if you'd like to run through things with one of our advisors.

If you're still unsure of anything then please do ask, and we'll do what we can to support you

Alex