Hello, I am thinking of applying for PIP

Snake08
Snake08 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Connected
edited December 2022 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
Hi my name is Brian, I was diagnosed with calcification of my main left artery in my heart 2 years ago, I had been suffering from chest pains for quite some years but my uncle died suddenly so got myself checked out. Anyway applied for LCWRA and was award it, I am unsure how long for though since my health condition will never go away, if anything i have been told i could have heart disease by the time i am 50, I take 6 tablets a day and carry my GTN spray around with me incase I get any chest pains again. I am thinking of applying for PIP but unsure if I can handle the stress, I am wondering if there is any support out there in which I can get in applying for PIP, I am thinking of asking BHF but unsure if they offer support if I was to apply.

Thanks for reading 

Brian

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,776 Championing
    Hi @Snake08 - & welcome to the community. PIP isn't about any diagnoses, rather if you have difficulty performing the activities that are looked at with PIP. You can see them here:

    https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2022.pdf Do come back if you apply, & I'm sure our members will answer any of your questions.

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hello @Snake08 and thanks for your query, to help our members share their thoughts I've added your post to our PIP category. There's plenty of support out there with applying for PIP. 

    Scope has some guidance you can read, or if you prefer, you can speak to one of our advisers either by email or phone, using the Scope Helpline.

    There's also Citizens Advice, a guide on what to expect from Turn2Us, and if you'd like to search for an adviser local to you, there's Advice Local.

    At the end of the day only you can decide whether or not to go ahead with your PIP claim :) It might be useful to bear in mind that waiting times do vary, but there is a large backlog being processed at the moment, which means many people are waiting up to 12 weeks or more to find out if they've been successful. 

    I hope all this information is useful, but don't hesitate to ask if you're still unsure of anything.
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 13,809 Championing
    It's always useful to give these things a go because you might be successful. 
  • Snake08
    Snake08 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Connected
    chiarieds said:
    Hi @Snake08 - & welcome to the community. PIP isn't about any diagnoses, rather if you have difficulty performing the activities that are looked at with PIP. You can see them here:
    https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2022.pdf Do come back if you apply, & I'm sure our members will answer any of your questions.


    Thank you for this, it's really helpful.
  • Snake08
    Snake08 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Connected
    Thank you everyone thats commented, I going to give it a go after reading the points system which was provided above.

    Brian

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,776 Championing
    That's great, Brian, & thank you for your kind reply. Don't forget to come back if you have any questions, & before completing the initial claim form, rather than after sending it off!
  • Cartini
    Cartini Online Community Member Posts: 1,107 Trailblazing
    Snake08 said:
    Thank you everyone thats commented, I going to give it a go after reading the points system which was provided above.

    Brian

    Hi Brian,
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    What I will say, going back to your introduction, is that the process is as stressful as you make it.  Approaching it in a logical and methodical manner will help.
    You will also need to think laterally; don`t take the questions on face value. For example Q4 - Washing and bathing; a grab bar is an aid to help you.  If you have to hold a towel rail whilst cleaning your teeth - say so, that is an aid (I did in my application and it was accepted).
    When you receive the PIP2 form (the main application form), read through it very carefully one or two (or even three) times to make sure you understand it.
    Don`t try and tackle it in one go; complete a bit (be that the actual questions or what I call the "Admin" (name, address, doctor etc) and then leave it for an hour or two or even a day or two.
    You`ll see the boxes where DWP want you to provide your replies are incredibly small.  If your dexterity allows you, write your responses on separate A4 sheets of paper; if you have a PC and printer, even better.  Ensure you write your full name and National Insurance number on each page you create.  In the box provided in the form for your response, refer to your additional sheets with something like "please see page xx for my response" (or words to that effect).
    There is actually a document that describes the descriptors (the qualifying factors) and what is needed to achieve them, but I`m afraid I can`t find the link (someone will eventually post it on here).
    Avoid saying "I can`t do this because of that", instead say "The last time I attempted xyz, abc happened".  An example I gave was to do with preparing food.  When I`m stood, I have quite good knife skills, but my condition won`t always allow me to stand.  When I prepare food sat down, I`m quite clumsy with a knife, so much so, I once took the tip off my left index finger (I gave this as an example and it was accepted).
    If you excuse my expression, completing the PIP2 is more of a ball ache than anything.
    You`ll be given many more tips on here so get your application going ;)
    Andy


  • Snake08
    Snake08 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Connected
    Cartini said:
    Snake08 said:
    Thank you everyone thats commented, I going to give it a go after reading the points system which was provided above.

    Brian

    Hi Brian,
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    What I will say, going back to your introduction, is that the process is as stressful as you make it. Approaching it in a logical and methodical manner will help.
    You will also need to think laterally; don`t take the questions on face value. For example Q4 - Washing and bathing; a grab bar is an aid to help you. If you have to hold a towel rail whilst cleaning your teeth - say so, that is an aid (I did in my application and it was accepted).
    When you receive the PIP2 form (the main application form), read through it very carefully one or two (or even three) times to make sure you understand it.
    Don`t try and tackle it in one go; complete a bit (be that the actual questions or what I call the "Admin" (name, address, doctor etc) and then leave it for an hour or two or even a day or two.
    You`ll see the boxes where DWP want you to provide your replies are incredibly small. If your dexterity allows you, write your responses on separate A4 sheets of paper; if you have a PC and printer, even better. Ensure you write your full name and National Insurance number on each page you create. In the box provided in the form for your response, refer to your additional sheets with something like "please see page xx for my response" (or words to that effect).
    There is actually a document that describes the descriptors (the qualifying factors) and what is needed to achieve them, but I`m afraid I can`t find the link (someone will eventually post it on here).
    Avoid saying "I can`t do this because of that", instead say "The last time I attempted xyz, abc happened". An example I gave was to do with preparing food. When I`m stood, I have quite good knife skills, but my condition won`t always allow me to stand. When I prepare food sat down, I`m quite clumsy with a knife, so much so, I once took the tip off my left index finger (I gave this as an example and it was accepted).
    If you excuse my expression, completing the PIP2 is more of a ball ache than anything.
    You`ll be given many more tips on here so get your application going ;)
    Andy



    This is great advice thank you 

  • Puja
    Puja Scope Member Posts: 99 Contributor
    Good luck and the above links are really useful, if you need any more help/guidance this forum is really good to ask in. 
  • Cartini
    Cartini Online Community Member Posts: 1,107 Trailblazing
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Best of luck @Snake08 and if you need a hand you know where we are, keep us updated with how you get on as and when :)
  • Snake08
    Snake08 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Connected