Re what to write

tracies1996
tracies1996 Online Community Member Posts: 80 Connected
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

Hi please bear with me I’m migrating from esa support etc to universal credit and had home visit to verify my ID due to my severe anxiety /ptsd . She advised my to apply for pip I have been told this before by health professionals and others and never have as hated thought of medical but I struggle massively financially as have debt due to alcohol and substance abuse abuse which if I spiral mentally I turn too . Sexual abuse , rape and childhood abuse so it’s a long thing . But I’ve never applied for pip before but am going to for the extra help . I rely massively on my son does shopping for me , makes sure I’m eating etc and I’m going back into counselling ( need a lifetime of it tbf ) . Anyway the advisor from jobcentre said put things down on your worst days etc . Which I get and I have a lot . But my thing is I sometimes walk my dog majority time with my son so I feel safe but sometimes I will walk him on grass near me not for long and I need my beta blockers and phone at all times incase I panic and need to call someone . So she asked if I walked and I explained what just said and she said answer “ no “ don’t walk but that would make me feel like I’m lying or some benefit cheat which not so how would I write it or say it on phone to pip ppl,? . The whole thing frightens me . On my worst days I won’t answer door , phone and il go completely into myself . There’s a load more but I don’t want to just waffle it’s basically how do I word it please . Thank you for reading . And any help is appreciated.
Tracie :)

Comments

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 7,193 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @tracies1996, it might be worth having a look at the PIP descriptors and seeing whether any of them apply to you. This page has a useful guide to the descriptors:

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

    If your conditions vary, you don't need to write the form as if it's your worst day every day. If your conditions are affecting your ability to do the listed activities more than 50% of the time, then you can still score points for those activities.

    They should also look at whether you're able to do the activities safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely fashion. So if something takes you a long time, or you can't do it as much as someone without your conditions could expect to, then that may still score you points.

    It can be good to give some real world examples of how your conditions have affected you. So you could perhaps talk about a time when you've left the house but struggled - what happened, how did it affect you, was anyone there witnessing what happened?

    Citizen's Advice also have some useful information on how to fill out the forms:

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

    If you feel up to it, you might like to speak to a benefits adviser about your claim. They should be able to talk you through the forms and help you with how to write them. Turn2Us have a search tool to find local advisers: https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

    I'm sure our members will have some useful tips too ☺️

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,770 Championing

    My one tip is getting a welfare rights advisor to assist with filling in the forms.

    Rosie has provided the Turn to us link 😊

  • tracies1996
    tracies1996 Online Community Member Posts: 80 Connected

    Thank you Rosie and kimi I have messaged my citizens advice advisor also about this . I won’t even go to my doctors for appointments I’m a nightmare I have to just do everything online or over the phone . My son has been coming and taking dog out as I spiral a lot lately as haven’t been coping . I sometimes wish I could have a different brain and not gone through traumas as I wouldn’t wish anxiety/ptsd on my worst enemy . I get angry and agitated when the housing association book in appointments say for gas checks or whatever as I’m sick of explaining they need to let me change appointments cause I need to check when my son can be here as support as I refuse point blank to have a man in my home . Last year they kept ignoring my emails for ages and just sending maintenance to my door and standing and braying and braying , the utter panic and upset/ frustration I was almost manic . It’s so annoying constantly having to explain my disability’s , . X

  • tracies1996
    tracies1996 Online Community Member Posts: 80 Connected

    I just did only quick check of questions and I had roughly 26 points and that was answering everything I didn’t do it all just some as a quick guideline and etc .

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 7,193 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That sounds really tough @tracies1996, having those people at your door must have been horrible. Trauma and PTSD is so difficult to live with sometimes, and it can be hard for anyone on the outside to understand unless they've been through something similar.

    Sounds like a good idea to speak to your Citizen's Advice person, hopefully they can help you with your claim ☺️

Categories