PIP 3 month rule

Hi all

My good friend has been diagnosed with stage 4 non Hodgkin’s lymphoma that has spread to her bone marrow. She’s always worked in minimum wage jobs, lives alone and has never been sick. On her diagnosis, my initial horror was replaced by shock when I learnt that she was expected to cover all her bills on £89.35 a week. Knowing this wasn’t possible, I formed an army and led a fundraising campaign to cover her basic household bills. It’s been an on going battle, but we’ve had some success. The wolf isn’t quite at the door - yet.

Thanks for listening!

  • Hi Sue,

    If your friend is stage 4, she's had the condition for longer than 3 months - what's the problem?

    When did she first have problems with daily living or mobility?

  • Hi there ... if you phone McMillan,  they have a financial help and advice people that will call you back and discuss what benefits she maybe entitled too ... 

    I'm sure there's more help out there ... it's just finding it and filling out those pesky forms ... I think McMillan may even help filling them in if she asks too ... I know one is carers allowance which is to help with extra needs ... and im pretty sure it covers chemo treatment ....don't give up ... Chrissie 

  • Don't get me started on PIP as it makes me too angry.  >:)

    The waiting period is just one of many unfairnesses of this shambolic and unfit system. The whole thing should be scrapped and DLA reinstated, but that will never happen of course. 

    PS: That's supposed to be an angry smiley. I picked it up from the smiley list but it doesn't actually show up. Makes me even angrier! 

  • I applied for one of the benefits last month and one of the questions was "can I put something in my top pocket of dress / suit ."  And another was"  can I dial /use mobile /telephone numbers " 

    My mother in law, who was bed bound and only had use of one hand could manage that with remote laying next to her hand on bed (Just before she passed away)  so I suppose even she would have failed that one ...  this is a mad mad benefits system now ... 

  • It's only mad if you work on the assumption that it's designed to give assistance to people in need. 

    Once you realise that it's designed NOT to give assistance to anybody then it makes perfect sense. 

    Remember, having your benefit taken away is simply Nature's way of telling you you voted Tory! 

  • I don't know if this is Too late or not. I use to work for the Benefits Agency in an office for DLA. When your friend was give that bad news of Cancer. Someone should have mentioned a form DS1500. When you had the PIP forms you should have been advised to Tick the Special Rules box. (This is one the first inside page) it tells you to go to the end page. With the form DS1500 completed by a Doctor. It more or less give the Decision with in 10 working Days.

     

    I hope your friend is doing well.