I too have had to fill in a pip form - I did it last year for my Rhumatoid Arthritis and Long covid - was turned down flat and given nearly no points - since then however I have been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer and have decided to challenge their deicison - partly as my assessor was a physiotherapist and seemed to have no idea about medical symptoms and partly as their conclusion was not at all what I had said during my interview.
I spoke to a lovely person on the phone at the dwp who advised me to only mention my worst days - not even to reference my better days - which I think is where I went wrong last time - I tried to show that I was still capable of running my own life and even when things were difficult battling through - also to make sure to send copies of all my hospital appts and clinical notes - which you can ask for from your consultant or gp, this is very important as it shows the whole picture not just the answers to the questions they ask.
Also they advised mentioning all medication even if you have had to stop taking it whist undergoing treatment say you have paused it rather than have stopped taking it.
Just read my first post that you replied to. I think I was having a bad day. My question was whether DWP were making it more difficult to fill out the form and whether I really needed to include 'Buzz' words. However, you nicely answered this. Thanks. I hope my advice has helped you.
I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 13 years. I was advised not to fill out the application forms on my own, but to leave it to someone who was experienced in doing this. I was advised to contact the cancer advisory centre in the hospital, which was run by Macmillan, or the CItizen's Advice Bureau.
I went to Macmillan and they were most helpful.
I hope that you're successful.
Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Trust me, DWP couldn't make it any worse! MacMillan can, in some circumstances, make the application on your behalf. That would help avoid the pitfalls such as being overly positive about your condition. I've known people who are wheelchair bound being refused PIP because they stated they could walk a few steps. They'd meant on their best days, in agony and in an emergency. A simple NO was required to be awarded any points. Without being untruthful, you need to paint as black a picture as you can as the evaluators are trained to deduct points whenever they can - don't give them a reason to do so.
There's nothing to stop anyone making a new claim if a new condition has been diagnosed since an earlier one was rejected.
Trust me, DWP couldn't make it any worse! MacMillan can, in some circumstances, make the application on your behalf. That would help avoid the pitfalls such as being overly positive about your condition. I've known people who are wheelchair bound being refused PIP because they stated they could walk a few steps. They'd meant on their best days, in agony and in an emergency. A simple NO was required to be awarded any points. Without being untruthful, you need to paint as black a picture as you can as the evaluators are trained to deduct points whenever they can - don't give them a reason to do so.
There's nothing to stop anyone making a new claim if a new condition has been diagnosed since an earlier one was rejected.
