Where do I start - first of all may I say without the help of this site I would not have been awarded PIP.!!! I got the award letter today enhanced Daily Living and enhanced mobility.
I have been ill for over 10 years with Mental Health (bipolar) also Arthritis,Fibro/CFS. With the help of the guides I was able to transfer from incapacity benefit to ESA SA (after a MR) that was stressful enough but i also tried to claim DLA then PIP on 4 occasions but was never able to either complete the forms on time or attend the assessment because of either illness or Panic attacks.
My 85 year old mum is my main help/carer, I feel such a burden to her, so I decided I needed to buy in extra help for my personal care but with no money I was left with no choice but I had to try again.
I sent away for the forms - got back up letters from my GP, CBT Councillor, Consultants who I saw some going back 8/10 years. I read the B&W guides to claiming PIP so with their help and the help of a friend we started to fill in the form. One of the best tips was the daily diary.( I did 3 daily diary one for when I was having a better day, bad day then a really bad day).
I have limited mental/physical energy so it took 5 weeks for us to fill it in with 47 pieces of back up evidence. I had to phone the DWP and they agreed to a 2 week extension for me to compete the form (just ask). Then I waited for a date for my assessment - they sent one for the beginning of June, the usual panic attacks started so I phoned and they agreed to give me a new date (they will do this only once).
The new date was 24th June - I was able to attend (with the help of 2 Tramadol and a diazapen) I took copies of photos my friend took of every special piece of equipment I use ie:- grab rails in bathroom, over toilet cradle,bath seat ,walker trolley , hands free can opener, back scrubber (you get the idea) to the assessment.
The assessor was nice but be aware she watched everything I and my companion did!
I read in the guides they point out the assessors watch to see it you can pickup your handbag off the floor, so i didn't take a handbag (simple).
I got the brown envelope today!!!! daily living 15 points and 14 points for mobility.
I am sure I wouldn't have scored any where near that if I hadn't read the guides so THANK YOU VERY MUCH, don't know how I would have done it without you!.
My advise for what its worth is print out the guides,spend sometime writing how your illness affects you then see how that compares to the guides. Get as much evidence as you can going back years if need be,do the daily diary sheets (an eye opener when you realise how limiting your illness is). Don't be afraid to ask for extra time to complete the form and above all else - DON'T GIVE UP no matter how much you want to.
