Is anyone claiming PIP? (Personal independence payments)?

[SpinCycle63]

I have an autoimmune condition and am considering making a claim for this benefit but feel like I may not have a severe enough condition to be eligible.

I just wondered if anyone else here claims?

My condition means I get flare ups every now and then which can last anything from a day to months. Even when I’m not having a flare up, I am adjusting my lifestyle to try to prevent flare ups. When the flare ups come, they cause me a lot of pain & discomfort and I have on numerous occasions needed family members to travel to me to care for my children. Does this sound like something that would make me eligible? The application process looks a little daunting (meetings with independent health officials etc and if you qualify, frequent reviews etc) so that’s putting me off a little.

[BordersMumNow123]

I definitely think you sound like you need some financial support. Claiming PIP does seem quite daunting though, they don't make it easy even if people definitely need it.
Have you looked on the charity website for your condition? Or a similar condition? These websites often offer good specific advice on making a claim, how the forms work, what to expect, how to properly express the constraints your condition puts on day-to-day living. Some of them have direct numbers to call too and will give better advice than I could.

Often these charities tell you to make sure you are highlighting your needs on the worst relapse days, i.e could you cook a meal that day, or get dressed? People tend to underplay symptoms, particularly if having a good period which doesn't help with PIP claims.

Goodluck x

[Littleoldme52]

Hi,
I thought the same, but last year whilst working full time I was granted PIP. My situation is that my daughter has to help with the following
Drying and straightening my hair
Lifting heavy pans from the oven
Hoovering
Washing floors
PIP from what I know is all about helping you to manage daily living even if your working full time.
It's worth applying for if you can show them that you need some sort of daily help.
Hope all goes well x

[TwinklyGiraffe]

Definitely worth applying. I applied last year and got it without issue. I did a lot of research into how to fill the forms in correctly. I also sent a diary covering 6 months which detailed exactly what I live with.

I work 3 days a week.

[cherrytree63]

I receive PIP. I had help with the process from a local charity that I found out about through Mind. I had a support worker who met with me a couple of times to sort out the forms, kept in contact by phone and came with me to the assessments.
I was refused at first, but there were a lot of inaccuracies in their assessment report.
It was then refused at the appeal.
The report said that I was a life long smoker (I've never smoked, ever!)
that I'd walked half a mile from the station with no problem (I was 3 weeks post double mastectomy and reconstruction, shuffling with a stoop, and was dropped off round the corner)
could follow complex instructions (go to bottom of this road and the tram stop is on the left
and I made eye contact.
Eventually it went to the tribunal and (I can't remember exactly) my points went from 6 to 18.
I think it can depend on who does your assessment, I had a practitioner nurse. At the tribunal the panel was a retired GP, an independent lady who received PIP herself and understood that conditions varied from day to day, and I think the 3rd was someone from the benefits agency.

[clearsight]

I think you have to suffer for at least 50% of the time you attempt the activities you are claiming for. If you google the 50% rule you will find more on this.