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Original poster

Applying for PIP, hoping for any success stories

49 replies

PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 12:04

Posted hopefully in the right place for relevant advice 🤞🏻

I have seen in the past that this can be a pretty controversial subject here on MN, but I'll preface by stating that I have been advised by a professional that works with myself and my children to apply for PIP. She advised this based on the fact that I have had my issues for a very, very long time, and also because I have absolutely no financial independence and I'm not likely to have any for the foreseeable. She explained it to me and I applied last week. I'm waiting for the form to arrive to fill in. My GP and the lady mentioned above are happy to support my application.

So now I'm just asking, does anybody have any positive stories about claiming PIP for OCD and/ or anxiety? In the past year (pre pandemic) I have become severely agoraphobic. I've been making small steps towards fixing that but there are still so many 'normal person' things that I'm just not doing/don't feel able to do, I honestly sometimes feel paralysed. I have given permission for them to discuss with my healthcare professionals so there will be a very clear track record of the problems I'm having. I'm just so scared that it will fall through and I'll still have nothing. I want to have some hope, I'd very much appreciate anybody who has something to share to help.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 13:28

Hopeful bump Smile

OP posts:
thebiggestmoose · 29/08/2020 13:49

Hi Pip
I do some voluntary work for a local advice charity
Basically PIP depends on how the illness/disability affects on a day to day basis .There is a bit of an art to filling the forms, because the questions effectively need answering in the correct way ( don't get me started on the fact that some very deserving people miss out...because they don't fill out the form 'correctly')

It would be best if you could speak to someone from something like CAB, or a local advice centre

Also worth speaking to charities that specialise in for eg OCD

If you can't get any help from these people there is a good website called Benefits and Work that explains what they're looking for in answers. I think the main site is free but you have to pay to post on the very helpful forum ( think it's about £20 to register to use it)

Also I have seen many people be awarded PIP for mental health conditions- definately worth a try!

NervousInYorkshire · 29/08/2020 13:53

Get assistance from your local Welfare Rights team.

I currently get basic daily rate living, no mobility, for MH related conditions.

My friend receives full daily living and mobility, but with different MH conditions.

Good luck.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Viviennemary · 29/08/2020 14:00

There have been several long threads on this. It seems that it all depends on things like can you cook a meal without help, can you get dressed and do personal care without help. It seems to depend on how much help you need with daily living.

Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 14:01

Thank you so much Smile I'll take a look at those places. It's good to know that some applicants get approved.

OP posts:
Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 14:30

@Viviennemary

There have been several long threads on this. It seems that it all depends on things like can you cook a meal without help, can you get dressed and do personal care without help. It seems to depend on how much help you need with daily living.
I had a long look before I posted but I couldn't open most of the old threads Blush apologies if I'm just adding another thread to a long line of similar ones.
OP posts:
thebiggestmoose · 29/08/2020 14:50

The questions on the face of it not seem relevant to mh but for example the dressing and undressing question doesn't just mean physically being able to dress but if you need someone to prompt or encourage you to do it- often someone with depression might get points for this

Elmo230885 · 29/08/2020 17:45

I would advise sending I. Information you have rather than relying on them to seek it out. Don't send appointment letters but send reports e.g. things that note diagnosis, treatment and effects of your conditions. When filling in the form make sure you are aware what each section is asking, consider doing things in a Safe, Timely, Acceptable and Reliable manner.

Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 18:20

Thank you @Elmo230885 . I have reports, and a very recent one sent to me by my psychologist. I can ask my GP hopefully for some written information to attach, if that makes it easier to progress the claim as you say. I really appreciate all of the level headed advice, it's making me feel a lot more hopeful about a beneficial outcome.

OP posts:
Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 29/08/2020 23:13

I saw a notification that somebody had posted a response about what they receive, but I can't see the post! Confused how odd. If that poster is still here, would you mind posting again? I'd much appreciate it. Thank you.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 29/08/2020 23:46

Sorry I didn't mean you shouldn't have posted about this! I was really meaning that people know about the ins and outs of applying. Maybe you could get this moved to chat where more folk will see it. Hope you get it sorted.

Chameleon2003 · 29/08/2020 23:55

I agree that it's really important to consider every single question carefully.
For example - physically you may be able to walk to a bus stop, navigate a route, buy a ticket etc.
Mentally - you might need to check the route over and over again on Google Maps, have anxiety leaving the house/crossing the road/dealing with other passengers or unexpected incidents. You may need someone to be with you.

Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 30/08/2020 01:01

Not a problem @Viviennemary I misconstrued what you were saying but I still appreciate your advice!

@Chameleon2003 I can honestly say that all of the above examples are issues for me. If I hadn't checked I would have assumed that it would need to be physical restrictions, so I'm very grateful for your insight. I can't take public transport any more and I can't drive with my children in the car. This makes every task exponentially harder. It's reassuring at least to know that it's relevant to my application.

OP posts:
Chameleon2003 · 30/08/2020 09:33

Try and give examples in as many questions as possible-
Re food. It might be that you can cook but it might feel overwhelming, your eating patterns may be erratic and you might need encouragement to eat.
I'm using examples from the way I filled in the form for a relative.
You need to give examples in as many sections as possible on how your illnesses affect you when you are having the worst type of day for you.

BobbingPuffins · 30/08/2020 10:06

There is a bit of an art to filling the forms, because the questions effectively need answering in the correct way ( don't get me started on the fact that some very deserving people miss out...because they don't fill out the form 'correctly')

^This. Get help from someone with experience of filling these forms in.

I did mine like this:
I got copies of the guides from the Benefits and Work website;
I filled out the form myself and gathered evidence;
I sent off everything I had done to someone who has experience of these forms;
She went through my form line by line and pointed out loads of things that needed clarifying;
I made all the changes she recommended.

I got the full award first time.

It feels like a big job when you’re doing it. I found it easiest to do in stages, so start as soon as you get the form and don’t leave it until the last minute.

The form they send you is paper, but you can write your answers on a computer and attach numbered pages rather than writing directly on the form. That makes it much easier to edit.

Original poster
PipPipTallyHo · 30/08/2020 10:53

@BobbingPuffins thank you, that's a very reassuring response. If you don't mind me asking, was your claim based on MH or physical health? I understand that's quite personal so you don't need to answer! Blush

@Chameleon2003 that's exactly the kind of thing I wouldn't have known had I not asked first. Does the form specify to answer based on your worst day? Or does it ask for examples from your worst day and from your best day?

Honestly, I know I keep going on but I'm really grateful for the replies I've been getting. Thanks all.

OP posts:
Flyingarcher · 30/08/2020 11:01

Really recommend Fightback4Justice join as a VIP member and then you have access to forms, successful fill ins and can speak to a person to help you. To be honest, we found that the decision completely ignored everything on the form and went on the interview. The interviewer had clearly not read the form. Loads of value judgements made, innaccuracies, etc. You have to have the mindset that you have a disability that affects your life daily and therefore this is a benefit to which you are entitled. Do not think 'oh it's not that bad'. This is the equivalent to women who say 'my partner's not abusive because he doesn't hit me but I'm not allowed my own money or to go out but he choses all my clothes so that's ok'. If you think you need it and your difficulties affect your day to day living in that you can't do stuff, then apply. You don't need to fill in all the sections - just the ones that apply to you.

june2007 · 30/08/2020 11:07

TBH it was fine for my husband. obnly thing is we had to travel to a different town for the assessment only to find we could have had it in our town if he had mentined he had trouble getting from town to town. So it is worth asking if you can have it local. Will need another assessment in a year or two will have to see how that goes.

june2007 · 30/08/2020 11:08

My husband answered compairing his worst days.

ThatDamnScientist · 30/08/2020 11:13

I can't really help too much but my daughter gets PIP for mental health issues (she was moved up from DLA at 16). I'm currently filling out DLA forms for dd2, she is like a different child at school though so likely won't get it for her (she has anxiety and is currently being assessed for autism). I am hate form filling.

Good luck Flowers

Chameleon2003 · 30/08/2020 11:21

I can't remember if it specifies that it should be on your worst day. It's been a couple of years since we had to apply.
I remember writing 'on a bad day' quite a lot.
It's important to remember that you have probably made adjustments to your life to make sure that you can cope in your current environment. These adjustments have become normal to you so you might not think to mention them - but they are probably not normal to people without your illnesses.
Another section on bathing - I remember writing that claimant did not need help physically with washing but often felt taking a shower was overwhelming- but would agree to bathe if someone else ran a bath for them.

Chameleon2003 · 30/08/2020 11:23

I also agree with taking it a chunk at a time - it's a very long form. Would suggest keeping a copy as well.
We had no interview/assessment for PIP but did for Universal Credit.

BobbingPuffins · 30/08/2020 11:44

@PipPipTallyHo Mine was for ME/CFS, so the sections that were relevant to me are probably very different to the ones that apply to you. Good luck with it.

Elmo230885 · 30/08/2020 11:49

Its based on the majority of days. If a condition fluctuates they will (should) consider good days and bad days, trying to get an idea of what are the majority of days.

30daysoflight · 30/08/2020 12:00

As other posters have mentioned, I found Benefits and Work invaluable.
I filled forms for a relative and they were awarded PIP first time, no mandatory reconsideration or tribunal.
Good luck