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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Claiming DLA/PIP

5 replies

HoolaCoola · 18/01/2019 08:00

Morning. New and no clue and can only find threads relating to children and DLA so have posted in here to see if anyone can give me their thoughts. Fully appreciate you may wish to give me grief so I am prepared. Basically I was looking at claiming DLA (or is it PIP these days?) but I have a serious aversion to doctors and hospitals so never attend any appointments. I would be claiming for back problems and issues related to that, skin disease and heart problems. All have been medically diagnosed and the first 2 very very obvious so i can "prove it" when I have to attend the humiliating and embarrassing medical. Would I just be wasting my time with no doctors or shall I just go for it? I also work part time but I believe that won't affect anything. I am desperate for a couple of extra pounds for things like petrol (struggling to walk now), a new mattress, clothes that fit etc etc. Thanks.

OP posts:
GalacticChickenShit · 18/01/2019 08:03

Yes all new adult claims are PIP now.

What type of appointments do you not attend? I guess it could be argued that if you don't need medical attention, you can't be that ill, iyswim?

In theory, disability claims are based on need, not diagnosis, but IME it definitely helps to have diagnosis prior to application, and as many professionals as possible to back it up.

AutumnCrow · 18/01/2019 08:08

You can Google 'PIP questions' to find out the questions you will have to answer on the form - there are many useful specialist websites - and how many points you will need for an award.

You will need to stress the impact that your conditions and your anxiety have on your day to day life. Answer every question as though it were your worst day, is a useful tip.

Do you avoid medical appointments because of anxiety?

HoolaCoola · 18/01/2019 08:34

Thanks. In my younger years I attended alot of hospital appointments but I never found them of any use. No one can "fix" my problems, which are degenerative, and I just live with them. I buy any medication I need. I suppose technically I am not ill but I do certainly have medical issues. The whole getting naked thing is just a total humiliation and they all just stare and sigh and shake their heads. The worse one was at the age of 16 being photographed in just my knickers by a male doctor at a well known childrens hospital. Nearly finished me off!!

OP posts:
WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 18/01/2019 08:38

Well you need to have a look at the PIP criteria.

If you need lots of help to wash, dress, cook and eat, take medication, understand finances and routes and if you can't walk more than a few steps, then you can try and claim, though the process is awful, you will have to provide lots of medical evidence and you'll have to be assessed.

I have PTSD which comes with a severe phobia of anything medical so I can't attend a doctor or a hospital, but I had to get medical evidence. It took years, so be prepared to wait.

Madein1995 · 18/01/2019 09:00

Hi

Anyone can apply for PIP. The only conditions are that you must be resident and present in the UK and meet their qualifying period - ie your condition has been present for at least 3mnths and will likely continue for at least 9 months.

However PIP isn't proving you have a disability, it is showing the affect that disability has on your life - dressing and undressing, cooking, budgeting, following journeys, managing medication, moving around etc etc. Worth having a read online and considering if you meet those

You may well struggle when it comes to evidence however. A lot of focus is put on evidence such as drs letters , prescriptions etc. In my experience working in the system, people who struggle to provide medical evidence struggle to get awarded at new claim or recon. That's not to say you won't, just that it might make the process trickier 😀

Also I feel like I need to say this about the assessment, as you seem quite nervous and expecting it to be awful. That's understandable given the media, and the fact that they do make mistakes. At the same time they're not all horrible or incompetent and yours might be really nice. It's hard, but definitely a good idea to try and keep a positive attitude towards it. Only because worrying will do nothing, and if you keep calm and look after yourself, If things go badly, you'll be better placed to fight. Also please don't worry that you'll have to get naked - that doesn't happen in routine assessments 😀

Have a look through the descriptors and see if they apply to you. If so, give the new claim line a call. It's very busy on a Friday or Monday so perhaps Tuesday is best xx

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