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Should I bother trying to claim PIP?

22 replies

Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 10:50

I was born with clubbed foot, one leg several inches shorter, one foot 2 sizes smaller and a missing toe on the smaller foot. I’ve had 2 surgeries for this. One at birth and one in my teens(I’m now 40s).
for the past 15 years the pain in the affected leg/foot has been getting worse. Walking any distance is painful as I tend to walk in the ball if the foot that’s shorter to compensate for the length discrepancy. I have to carry my baby down the stairs as my weaker ankle gives way sometimes. The ache in my ankle keeps me awake. Pushing the clutch while driving is painful. My back and hips ache due to my spine curving.
Is this even seen as worthy of a PIP claim? Would you bother? Thanks for reading

OP posts:
Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 12:16

Bump

OP posts:
kingsleysbootlicker · 08/08/2022 12:31

Unfortunately PIP is not based on health conditions or symptoms as such, it's based on what they prevent you from being able to do, and has strict criteria with points allocated depending on the amount of help needed

This is a link to an online PIP test which will give you an idea of whether you fit the criteria or not, it's a good place to start

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

OldTinHat · 08/08/2022 12:32

You've got nothing to lose by trying!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

MrsEdnaWelthorpe · 08/08/2022 12:38

I think you might be eligible for the mobility section, probably low rate but yes, it's worth applying.
I do work in benefits advice btw.

Discovereads · 08/08/2022 12:43

I agree the link from @kingsleysbootlicker is a good way to judge if worth claiming PIP. However, there are a few things you can do you help your situation/pain:

See an orthopaedic doctor about getting specialised raised shoe to compensate for the difference in leg length and one with ankle support built in. They can also consult you on options like surgery to increase the length in one leg. Such surgery is painful and involves a metal brace screwed into your shin bone and then gradually over time lengthening the shin bone. I had a friend who had it done.

You should also consider switching to an automatic car if a manual is giving you issues.

flourella · 08/08/2022 13:03

The Moving Around question in PIP is concerned with a person's ability to stand and then walk on two biological feet, on typical ground outside. Kerbs are considered, but steps are not. If a person cannot walk a distance reliably, safely, in a reasonable time frame (so without stopping due to pain or breathlessness, for example), they may score points. But the impact the mobility issue and associated pain has on ability to drive, walk up and down stairs, look after children, or sleep through the night are unfortunately not relevant.

Not to say that you wouldn't qualify, just not on a few of those issues you mention here. It's definitely worth applying, or at least getting advice and an opinion from a welfare rights expert, but I wouldn't go into it without really understanding the descriptors and what is and is not considered. PIP info is a good site, and Scope and MSE have forums with very knowledgeable posters.

Thelnebriati · 08/08/2022 13:13

Any decent person would read your post and assume you are entitled to extra help.
Unfortunately as kingsleysbootlicker says its not enough to be affected by pain or disability; you need to score a certain amount of points.
Where I live, there's a group that will help you fill in the PIP assessment form and collect evidence, and then help you again to appeal. There's also CAB.
The worst that can happen is they turn you down.

flourella · 08/08/2022 13:14

Sorry, it's at least one biological foot, not two. I did know that so I don't know why I worded it wrongly.

flourella · 08/08/2022 13:21

I would also look into the Daily Living activities. Do you struggle with or use aids for things like washing and bathing (due to difficulty getting in and out of bath, for example), getting dressed (needing to sit), or cooking (difficulty standing at hob so need to use a stool)? You might not, but mobility issues can lead to point scoring in these areas as well.

Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 15:03

flourella · 08/08/2022 13:21

I would also look into the Daily Living activities. Do you struggle with or use aids for things like washing and bathing (due to difficulty getting in and out of bath, for example), getting dressed (needing to sit), or cooking (difficulty standing at hob so need to use a stool)? You might not, but mobility issues can lead to point scoring in these areas as well.

I have to sit on the side of the bath to get in and out as I’ve slipped in the past. Anti slip mat in the bath. Have to stand on one leg to wash dishes or my son has to do them for me. He’s 19 so won’t be at home forever to help around the house.
my mental health has never been good due to all these issues. It’s stopped me doing so many things in my life mainly due to my insecurities around it. Honestly, I’d rather kill myself than draw attention to my legs/feet using a built up shoe or anything like that

OP posts:
VegetablesAreMyFriends · 08/08/2022 15:18

Honestly, I’d rather kill myself than draw attention to my legs/feet using a built up shoe or anything like that

You'd rather kill yourself than alleviate the pain? That's so sad. Surely not. Have a try and see if it helps, at least? You could wear parallels to cover it up a little.

But back to the PIP, don't assume you won't get anything. Just get all the help you can to word it right. Also remember the answers need to be about the worst day possible.

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 08/08/2022 15:20

As a previous poster said, you have nothing to lose by applying. Be honest about all the difficulties you face - start making a list now of everything you do to compensate for your disability. How you would benefit from help (such as the washing up)? It doesn't matter if you receive the help, or even want the help, it's whether you'd benefit from help.

In theory, from what you've said, you'd benefit from assistance with bathing. You may not want that assistance, but in theory, it would help to have someone there in case you slip. It's this kind of thing the PIP decision makers look at.

BatDuck · 08/08/2022 15:24

Honestly, I’d rather kill myself than draw attention to my legs/feet using a built up shoe or anything like that

Thats so sad to read. Do you really feel like that? This really isn’t the worst thing in the world, even though it may feel like it to you right now. Would counselling help you deal with the anxiety over how your body
looks?

Mangolist · 08/08/2022 15:24

I help people make PIP claims at work and I would definitely say apply. Get an appointment at your nearest CAB and get an advisor to help you do it.

Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 15:58

BatDuck · 08/08/2022 15:24

Honestly, I’d rather kill myself than draw attention to my legs/feet using a built up shoe or anything like that

Thats so sad to read. Do you really feel like that? This really isn’t the worst thing in the world, even though it may feel like it to you right now. Would counselling help you deal with the anxiety over how your body
looks?

It makes me sad to write it. I’ve become so clever at covering it up. It’s the missing toe that’s my biggest hang-up! It sounds ridiculous, I know. My current partner of 2 years doesn’t even know. That’s how good I am at hiding it! To look at me, you’d think nothing was wrong, both physically and emotionally. I dread anyone finding out. Hell, I have 3 children and only the oldest one knows as I’m so terrified of being seen differently. This clearly stems from bullying when I was in school

OP posts:
flourella · 08/08/2022 16:33

Not being able to stand at the sink to wash up due to balance issues or pain won't score any points because (bafflingly, I've always thought) ability to do housework is not considered as part of PIP. But if you can't safely stand at the sink, I would have thought the same applies to standing at the hob, and the worktop for chopping and peeling. Even if your son doesn't generally help you with the cooking, PIP is about the help you need, not what you get.

The washing and bathing activity is about washing your whole body and ability to get in and out of an unadapted bath or shower. So if you can't get in and out of a standard bath without assistance, you could score 3 points even if you could (theoretically or actually) get out of a standard shower. Grab rails for support or balance or a stool for sitting in the shower would be considered aids. You have to demonstrate that the aids are required and not just preferences; best way to do this is by giving descriptions of what has happened on occasions when you haven't used the aids. But you can score points for all activities even if you don't need aids or assistance, if you can't perform the task reliably (safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in reasonable time).

For dressing, needing to sit does not often score points because lots of able-bodied people might sit while doing this, especially for putting on socks and shoes. But I think a bed or chair can still count as an aid in some circumstances. A shoe horn can count as an aid, if you need (or would benefit from using) one of those for at least one if not both of your feet(?). That might be more for people who have difficulties with their hands, I don't know. Just an idea.

From what you've written here I would think you have a case for scoring some points across both components. You need 8 for standard and 12 for enhanced.

Discovereads · 08/08/2022 16:37

Honestly, I’d rather kill myself than draw attention to my legs/feet using a built up shoe or anything like that

Wearing an orthopaedic raised shoe with ankle support will make your disability less noticeable, not more. You’ll be able to walk with a normal stride and gait, you won’t be in pain, and you’ll stop fucking up your knees, hips and back.

Discovereads · 08/08/2022 16:40

It’s the missing toe that’s my biggest hang-up!

So get a prosthetic one. My DH is missing fingers/parts of fingers on his right hand. You’d be surprised to know that people usually don’t notice until they’ve met him a few times!

MRSAHILL · 08/08/2022 16:44

Get applying for PIP. What have you got to lose. I'm always seeing articles where it says not enough people who are eligible for it don't even bother applying etc. I know it's not an easy form to fill in but there are online guidelines to help you. It sounds to me, with all the difficulties you have, that you should be entitled to it.

Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 17:18

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. Made me feel like less of a fraud for even considering applying

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BatDuck · 08/08/2022 17:54

It’s worth being honest with your GP about how you feel to see if you can access some counselling. Your anxieties about your legs are holding you back in life and life is too short to waste worrying about how you look. I don’t say this to diminish how you feel because what you feel is real and restricting. I say this as I have many people in my
life with disfiguring disabilities and their “don’t give a fuck” attitude serves them well. If I could bottle some of it to send you, I would. 🙂
Give the PIP a go. And good luck.

Sugaredlump · 08/08/2022 17:56

BatDuck · 08/08/2022 17:54

It’s worth being honest with your GP about how you feel to see if you can access some counselling. Your anxieties about your legs are holding you back in life and life is too short to waste worrying about how you look. I don’t say this to diminish how you feel because what you feel is real and restricting. I say this as I have many people in my
life with disfiguring disabilities and their “don’t give a fuck” attitude serves them well. If I could bottle some of it to send you, I would. 🙂
Give the PIP a go. And good luck.

Thanks so much. Very occasionally I think ‘sod it. I’m going barefoot on the beach!’ But then I chicken out. I’d love to paddle in the sea with my children but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Breaks my heart.
I’ve had counselling a few times since my teens but the ‘fear’ is still there

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