Filling in PIP form

[TwitchyJerk]

Is upsetting. I got ill in June, and my life has changed beyond recognition. Chronic fatigue- although the name doesn't do it justice.

I don't want to claim benefits because of pride, and also because it feels like I am acknowledging I'm not going to get better. But I'm running out of sick pay so it's a necessary evil.

Filling in the form, even just thinking about the different sections, is so horrible, clarifying all the ways that I've gone from strong and independent to the complete opposite.

God help you when you have the assessment then….cos that’s a whole different level….just make sure you get support with the form …..and send the best evidence you can…good luck🍀

It’s probably a good idea to get some help with the form from CAB or similar as they can be arseholes if things aren’t worded exactly as they want them to be. You really, really don’t need to feel bad for claiming when you know you need it.

I used to help people fill in these for a charity. You have paid in for these years and now you need a bit of help. It is hard to do but you need to relate each section back to the condition. Ie because of x j now need to site down to prepare a meal, or because of the fatigue relating to x I find chopping vegetables too difficult and need to rely on help to prepare meals . Don't worry about repeating yourself . Also think of the help you might need. Not the help you actually get . It's hard to be negative but relate each question to you in the past and you now and how it is different.
Once it's done send it off and you can work on being positive but it is a means to an end and you deserve as good a quality of life as you can , take care

@kitcat15 thanks kitcat. One step at a time!

Yes. It's horrible. They really make you own all your problems. Force you to look at it. All the stuff you try so hard not to dwell on. I felt the same.

So depressing. 💐

This is good advice.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

@Quitelikeacatslife @karmaisacat @kitcat15
First 3 responses all from cats! That's a good sign. Starting to feel better already. Yes will be thorough and get some advice. Plus do the form in small chunks so not too depressing.

@MistyGreenAndBlue thank you!

@fizzypop100 thanks, will check it out tomorrow!

I noticed the cat trend as well. I hope it’s good luck for you!

@karmaisacat it's actually very meaningful because my dad's nickname was cat, and I lost him last year. Thanks. 🙂

I also hate it, it’s like having to list all the things you’re bad at for someone else to judge.

The way I think of it though is just that- if you had a separate form to list all the things you were good at it would be much more cheering. So sometimes OH and I do that. When it’s done, we go through the form and say out loud ‘but this doesn’t include the fact that…’

Like dressing independently - doesn’t state that I have a great sense of style!! And communication difficulties- doesn’t convey how kind I am, or the thoughtful Xmas and bday presents I choose for my loved ones, or the fact that I can make up creative stories for my DC. That sort of thing- just to add an emotional balance. We also try to plan something nice for after the assessment because that’s gruelling.

This 100%