PIP claim advice

Hi learntorun

I'm sorry about your husband's diagnosis and the extra strain that it has put on you both.

Have a look at our Guide to PIP claims and Reviews in how to fill in the form. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip. The guide can be daunting because of its size - but you will find some sample answers that will help you for each of the questions. It's important that you focus on yourself and your conditions and how they impact your daily living and/or mobility as per the criteria laid down on the PIP form.

Please don't think in any way that I am not sympathetic to your situation, but in your answers, if you don't focus primarily on yourself, there is a real danger that someone looking at your form will either say ", but she's a carer - so she can manage" or "her difficulties are caused by caring for her husband - so if she gets extra help from social services - she will be fine."

I am not trying to be a 'scaremonger' - I'm just saying what can easily happen. Now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for PIP, nor does it mean you can't get awarded it - I just want you to try and avoid the pitfalls of focussing on the extra strain of your husband's condition instead of yourself and giving someone who knows nothing about you the chance to draw incorrect conclusions.

You say that your condition has got worse - so you need to make sure that you emphasise in your form that your difficulties are long-standing and are not just about the new diagnosis. With every question, make sure that you are talking about 'your depression, your agoraphobia, your anxiety and what it stops you from doing. It's not that you shouldn't mention the extra strain of your husband, but keep it more in the background.

You only have a short time to get this form back - if you need an extension and you haven't asked for one yet, I would ring and ask for one. It will be granted. If you've already had an extension and you're still going to struggle you can ring and see if they will give you another extension - which they often will - but it's not a right. Don't return the form late without informing them.

Have a look at the guide and if you have any questions about how you should address certain issues - come back and ask and we will try and help. (We're not here over the weekend).

One more tip - Do not assume that the person reading your form has any knowledge or experience of your conditions and how they affect you. You have to tell them. Remember, you are the expert about you. If you have to repeat the same information against the different questions, do so. If you have any additional evidence - send it in - but don't include any information that could harm your application. eg a doctor's letter that implies you are better than you actually are.

Best of luck with the form

BIS