Hi,
Can I ask if anyone has managed to get PIP. My treatment is going to take ages (Inc. 6 months of chemo) and I’m out of sick pay already.
I asked Macmillian online but they said it’s very hard to get.
Thanks
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I am aware of others who have been successful in getting PIP and I’m sure they sought help from Macmillan Cancer to complete their forms.
From what I hear it can take a while to process but it’s worth a try @boobtube1
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Hi I’ve put one in but don’t think it’s strong enough my application to get it. Speak with friend who has got it she put her worse day on every answer. If you speak with citizen advice apparently they can help you as well good luck xx
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Speak to MacMillan, Citizens Advice or Maggie’s if you have one near you as they give advice on benefits.
Concentrate on the things you find harder, struggle with, take longer, need to take breaks, need gadget/adapations/tools to make things easier. There is advise online from Gov.uk, take one question at a time and use the guide.
I know of many people with a variety of disabilities who have been refused because they didn’t complete the forms in the ‘way’ the DWP want.
Also look at https://www.purpldiscounts.com/ which you can join for a small yearly fee that gives discounts.
If your sick pay has finished you can apply for Employment and support allowance, your employers should have sent you a form to send to DWP. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): Overview - GOV.UK
Fingers crossed.
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Do they have a macmillan help desk at your centre. I’ve just been to my local one and they have a specialist financial team you can meet with . They can link in with your chemo / specialist teams directly so they can complete the forms with you . Worth a look
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Thanks @trixie17 
x
Thanks @titch1 Yes, I know what you mean, it seems to be about how they are written. Will Citizens advice thank you x
Thank you @naughty_boob (by the way, you have my favourite username ever - love it!)
That is so helpful, I will look into everything. I’m not very good at asking for help with these things but the people are so lovely I might feel ok to ask there.
It does seem to be the way the answers are written, all a bit of a minefield but we have to try.
Xx
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I haven’t got one at mine so I’m a bit out on a limb which might be why. I have a Maggies though and will ask them.
Xx
Hi you can apply for Income related ESA as long as you have paid NIC for last 2yrs. I was diagnosed just as I was having a sabbatical before starting a new position, I had been offered verbally and not accepted in writing. No money incoming apart what was left of my final salary. The form is simple if you have the “C”. Can be applied for up to three months before SSP finishes as well. BC Nurse filled in Health Question on form and signed. Sent off had telephone call threes wks later with Job Centre, asked a few more questions, told would be placed on Actively looking fo work, BUT didnt need to look due to the BC just had to send Sick Notes till assessed on paper. Come three months later received a letter stating I was now in No Longer required to Actively Seek work due to Cancer and Disability Act. Money was increased and award was indefinite. I also applied for PIP with help of Social Prescriber at Surgery. This award is all about how the cancer and treatment affects your day to day life., so if answering questions you to add each time how it affects you. I had a phone call from nurse at PIP only 10mins at most. Then received a text to say awarded fully for 3yrs and just received another saying its been extended for another 12months out of the blue. Its been a great help as going back to work isnt possible at mo. I have been left with memory issues from chemo, my concentration is terrible, unable to sometimes find the correct terminology along with extreme fatigue plus other issues. I workdd in a fast paced medical setting.
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This is so helpful, really appreciate your response xx
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Hi, I worked at PIP a few years ago. The descriptors are available to view online or a local library (they used to be when I was there).
pip_descriptors.pdf https://share.google/GlTkkkIByYtIzr4MQ
I’m happy to help with any specific questions as there are many things people put they have no issue with completing when they use an aid (eg using a radiator to support with getting onto and up from the toilet).
Getting PIP isn’t impossible but it can rely on what your GP/consultant/oncologist writes too.
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Hi @susaq12
Thank you, that is so helpful. It is nice to know it’s not impossible, it feels very hard to get it.
I’ve found it challenging to admit to myself, and therefore write it on the form, that the diagnosis and treatment is affecting me so much. Really hoping I don’t need a full assessment and that I get an assessor who gets it.
Everytime I tell someone I have cancer, even people I don’t know on a personal level, say “oh my god, it’s your worst nightmare”, but from what I hear, the DWP doesn’t seem to feel like way.
Really appreciate your offer to help with any questions, and your insights as someone in the know.
Thank you xx
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I recently got enhanced award on first application for both elements. It took lots of homework beforehand. You sadly have to really focus on the things you struggle with - even if you have found a workaround. The descriptors - study them. Citizens advice describes the reliability test - make a sign with the headings. I stuck sheets up on my wall to remind me of difficulties in each category. Front and centre was the reliability test prompts. So when you say yes I can walk 50 meters for example - you then add, but I am slow, I use a rail for support, or I can’t safely or repeatedly do it etc. I heavily emphasised that what I am capable of fluctuates and doing one thing often then means I can’t do other things.
Be prepared for a mental dip too - it forces you to focus on negatives. Good luck with it
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When DLA changed to PIP the one thing that altered was the automatic assumption that people with the same health condition had the same symptoms. My husband has Crohn’s and used to get DLA but he doesn’t qualify for PIP. They look at how the condition affects someone for the majority of the time, not worse day as it used to be.
Often it’s down to how people complete the form that makes a difference too. I’ve read claims were someone has written very little about how their condition affects them but submitted dozens of hospital appointment letters which don’t explain anything.
The other thing I have seen is a doctor letter which states ‘patient states they have backache’ rather than ‘I have diagnosed back ache due to a slipped disc’ for example.
I had something similar with an insurance claim when I was diagnosed with BC!
I am happy to help with anything you may be struggling with.