Need some encouragement, and any other support vectors

VillageRepeat
VillageRepeat Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
edited November 12 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

I am in a really rough spot. Life this year has been so difficult that i have almost died due to refeeding as i was unable to feed myself, which doing so has subsequentially put me in debt (food deliveries) and an even more fragile state. In which i also got a chest infection that sent me into hospital. As i am recovering from refeeding the dreaded PIP review comes in. Last time this happend it almost killed me because of how bad it tanked my mental health, but there is even more this time to contend with.

I know i can do it. After all, even with all the thinking problems and memory problems i have, from a purely logical point of view i have the information. But i can't even look at the form. I freeze when i try to write my firstname on it. Just having it anywhere within my cone of vision is enough to cause problems. But as i am typing this i am sitting here shaking.

I can't convey information well, and i am forgetful, so i can't have someone else fill it in for me. I can't delay the review long enough to get into a better spot (I have been told they only extend the deadline by 2 weeks)

I have been filling it out on the computer but i can't do it for any good length of time. It will takes ages and i already foresee forgetfulness loops where i spend most of my time in a session reading what i already wrote because i forgot, so i don't repeat myself and to make sure i have included all information, then i am actually spending time writing information.

Any encouragement especially considering how lonely it has been this year too in a dark room, and any potential points of help i can lean on to try and get through this i would greatly appreciate you making me aware. I have spoken to citizens advice recently who made me aware of an email thing i still need to investigate. Of the people i do have around me, they can in no way relate to how difficult this process is, even without the additional factors.

Thank you in advance

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Comments

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,284 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time. PIP reviews are incredibly stressful, I'm currently waiting for the result of mine. There's some great information here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/claiming-personal-independence-payment-pip/fill-in-the-personal-independence-payment-pip-form There's a 'Helper' tool which you can work through to help you get your thoughts together. You've communicated brilliantly in your post so maybe you're being a bit hard on yourself. I know when I filled mine in I definitely repeated things and it probably read terribly but as long as you're getting across what your needs are it doesn't matter if you say the same thing twice.

    If you'd prefer some support in person, you can look here:

    Find an adviser (Advicelocal)

    Find a local benefits adviser (Turn2us)

    Lots of us here have been through this process and can relate to how you're feeling. I know it's hard and I wish they'd make the process less daunting but you can do this. You said you have people around you, are they supportive? Do you have support for your mental health?

  • VillageRepeat
    VillageRepeat Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected

    Hey Rachel! Thank you for responding, yes, oops! This is what i mean, for example. I can communicate well over text because i can read over what i am saying and take time, i meant i can't have someone else write it out for me because i don't communicate well over voice, which i would assume is how i would if someone else was going to fill it out because text would be both inefficient and eventually i'd get into that forgetfulness loop i mentioned and not be able to write more.

    The people around me are supportive, but day to day i don't see them and am alone, which is tough. I don't have any support for my mental health, i was working on setting that up but the weight piles on.

    I wish you great luck with your review and thank you for lending your time, i'll check out your resources :)

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 509 Empowering

    It is a stressful time when the dreaded form arrives, but try and stay calm. Set a time in the day to complete part of the form, read over what you have written and make a note that you are happy with that part and then forget it until the next day. Make yourself a nice cup of tea and get on with something else! Put the form out of sight if that would help. You can ask for an extension too. If you have a copy of your previous form you filled in, this will help you fill this new form out. Make sure you let PIP know your struggles with your disabilities. Have evidence ready if you have any to attach. Rachel has given contacts for help if needed. You can do this, like we all have done. Get it over with and relax!

    Come back to this thread if you need more help and support!

  • VillageRepeat
    VillageRepeat Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected

    Thanks Trevor! I will absolutely need an extension, there is no way i can complete it in the time given. I don't want to end up constantly going over sections and would like to "complete" them but i am stuck on one that i think would benefit from me getting additional information from a source that makes me incredibly anxious to think about so i'm trying to overcome this at the moment.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 509 Empowering

    Concentrate on that issue where you need extra information. Get that over with. Do a section at a time, read over what you have written and if you are happy, make a separate note that section is complete! You can do this!