PIP Claim?

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy for a rare form of anal cancer 3 years ago. I had to have the max dose of radiotherapy for 6 weeks. To add to the horrific treatment I ended up with sepsis and nearly died. I met a lovely man this week who had the same cancer as myself. He was very surprised I did not get offered PIP. I did not even know what it is was.  He said I should have received this as well as given a blue (Disabled) badge. Should I have been told about it? Should I have received it? And is it to late to claim it back after 3 years. If anyone can help me I will be extremely grateful. Many thanks. Steve.

Parents
  • Hi Kingsburysteve.

    Welcome to the forum. 

    It's not too late to claim, but simply having cancer (or have had cancer in the past) isn't sufficient.  It is only paid if you meet some very strict criteria on the day you make the application.  In essence, there must be some serious impairment to your daily living or getting about.  In practice, you'll only get it if you have some obvious (and preferably visible) disability, such as a leg missing, or you're blind.  The process of applying is aduous and difficult, you'll be called in for an assessment, and they tend to turn down most applicants.

    The experience of my wife and many others is that it is a unsympathetic system designed not to help people, and when you do apply they treat you like a lying piece of ----.  

    If this hasn't put you off, then before you apply, I suggest you find a local disability support charity and ask them for help.  The form is massive and it really needs to be filled in by someone with experience.  There is also a strict time scale for returning the form, so it's best not to ask for it until you've got all your ducks in a row.  Again, this is why you really need support to fill it in.

    My advice is that you should expect to be disappointed.  If you don't need the money, don't bother applying.  

Reply
  • Hi Kingsburysteve.

    Welcome to the forum. 

    It's not too late to claim, but simply having cancer (or have had cancer in the past) isn't sufficient.  It is only paid if you meet some very strict criteria on the day you make the application.  In essence, there must be some serious impairment to your daily living or getting about.  In practice, you'll only get it if you have some obvious (and preferably visible) disability, such as a leg missing, or you're blind.  The process of applying is aduous and difficult, you'll be called in for an assessment, and they tend to turn down most applicants.

    The experience of my wife and many others is that it is a unsympathetic system designed not to help people, and when you do apply they treat you like a lying piece of ----.  

    If this hasn't put you off, then before you apply, I suggest you find a local disability support charity and ask them for help.  The form is massive and it really needs to be filled in by someone with experience.  There is also a strict time scale for returning the form, so it's best not to ask for it until you've got all your ducks in a row.  Again, this is why you really need support to fill it in.

    My advice is that you should expect to be disappointed.  If you don't need the money, don't bother applying.  

Children
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