Hi cw. …i rang the dwp and made the initial claim over the phone just asked few basic easy questions then sent me out the 60 page form in post. My macmillan adviser at the hospital told me to take the forms straight to her and we sat together while she filled in most of my info from my computer notes. Asked about my breathlessness but she could see what it was like (wasnt as bad then as it is now) and said I’d probably get the higher rate mobility too. Was only there half an hour. All i had to do was sign them.
She then got my Onc to fill out a ds1500 form to send off with the others the next day and i received my payment 2-3 weeks later. I had £990 backdated to when i first made the tel claim (as it took 5 weeks for them to send them to me). Then the same week i had the higher rate PIP paid into my bank weekly …it was £550 a month so £138.05 a week. That included the enhanced rate of mobility allowance. I could then apply for a blue badge for the car which took about 10 days to come through.
No medicals involved or questions asked.
Go for it…youre bound to get it…good luck! xxxx
Well done LD. You will feel relieved it wasnt as bad as you thought! Hope its not too long for the decision letter x
Try not to worry. I didnt even know a doctor had to sign anything when i claimed…irs trye that ignorance is bliss lol x
Thanks ladies…will look into it. x
Just had a phone call from my lovely GP who said she would willingly sign the ds1500 but wanted to make sure that I was aware that it would state that I could die within 6 months and she didn’t want me to pick up the form and become distressed, bless her! She then said she’s sure I’ll still be here in 6 years instead of 6 months, so she’s cheered me up on a horrible windy, wet afternoon here in the north west.
Hope anyone else applying also has a sympathetic doctor.
LD x
Yes! Mine has been the best too xxx
LD thats great, it was my lovely GP who filled my DS1500 form, my onc or bcn wouldnt do it, got mine through within 3wks and got it back dated £3,350!! Its bitter sweet LD wish i didnt have to get it but we cant change our dx so just enjoy the financial pressure it will off you.
Hugs Janette x x
Received the letter today saying that I’ve got it, both parts at the enhanced rate. Not sure how I feel about it, but trying to be positive. Took less than 2 weeks, so not as long as I expected. Hope everyone else is successful too.
LD x
LD thats great news!!! I understand you feeling a little unsure about it i did too, but you are entitled to it so enjoy the financial pressure it can lift. We are living with an unpredictable illness LD…enjoy being able to treat yourself!!!
Hugs Janette x x
Great news LD! Treat yourself to something nice to celebrate! xxx
Just rang up to apply for blue badge, this all seems so unreal and don’t want it really. Hopefully I’ll snap out of it soon and see the benefits PIP gives instead.
LD x
Like abilucy and nicky, i also felt a bit of a fraud when i got my PIP and blue badge… to the point that i would deliberately cough (or start limping would u believe!!) when i got out of my car after parking !!
Now though after all ive been through with my breathing etc. I dont give a flying fig what people think!
We’re probably in worse positions medically than the elderly people on walking sticks so dont worry at all LD …you deserve this more than most other people with a badge no doubt!
And use the extra money like me on lovely xmas treats. Can’t wait to hit the aisles of M and S food hall and I’ll be giving my children a lovely monetary gift this year in their xmas cards.
So enjoy and look forward to xmas.
Love bev xxxx
Hi all my mum has just been diagnosed and awaiting first chemo appointment, she’s self employed we do and so exhausted (from the shock and worry I think) she already can’t work. Do you have to have a certain duration of treatment already done before you can claim PIP as it wasn’t mentioned to me by financial advisor
Thanks
Hi Tink, i understand how you feel, i also felt that way when i got mine last month its bitter sweet isnt it. But it has taken the financial pressure off me and my oh and i am now dropping a day at work in the new year
You enjoy it love you deserve to get it…there are many people out there claiming all sorts of benefits they are NOT entitled to grrr don’t get me started on that one!!!
hugs Janette x x
Tink, it’s nearly 2 weeks since I received mine and I still can’t get excited. Went into town on Monday to pay for blue badge but I still feel I shouldn’t be getting it. Wasn’t bothered about getting a motability car as mine is only 12 months old but hubby talked me into ordering one with a higher spec so I’m hoping to get excited when that arrives. We do deserve it I know, but I understand exactly how you feel.
LD x
Hi Mowser, i got awarded PIP both parts at the higher rate last month. I assume you get this as you have your blue badge. You can keep the mobility part as a cash award or you can have a motorbility car, i am waiting for my new Ford Kuga its so simple to do all you do is give your award letter to the motor dealer with some ID and they the rest
PIP is a bitersweet thing Mowser, i hate the fact that i have to have it but hey just think of it as a financial worry that is now less, we have enough to worry about with this nasty unpredictable illness as it is!!!
hugs Janette x x
You have it for the length of your award 3yrs then you can either buy it at the end of the 3yrs or just swap it for a new one.
Janette x
Hi Mowser, I am now the proud owner of a blue badge and, although I don’t want it and feel a real fraud having one, had a great time yesterday parking in a disabled space right outside Asda in the pouring rain while everybody else was searching for a space which would stop them getting drenched!
I’m assuming you got your blue badge after being awarded the mobility part of PIP at the enhanced rate of £56.75 a week. All you do is take the certificate into a garage when you choose a car and they do the rest, if you don’t want a car you can keep the money instead. Some cars need a one off payment up front because they are a more expensive car but many don’t. The car is leased for 3 years but only the mobility part of the award is taken, you still get the daily living allowance paid to you. There are no hidden costs, even insurance for you and another driver is covered so that’s a saving to you. If you still qualify for PIP after the three years you apply again and start to choose another new car.
I’ve chosen (well hubby decided really) a new car and am going to pay £200 as a one off cost so I can get a higher spec car than I usually have. It’s as posh as my husbands so he’s very happy too and can’t wait to drive me about, if I’ll let him. Hubby is out now Christmas shopping for my presents and I can’t wait for him to come home with my favourite cake from M&S!!
Hope this helps as it really is a bitter sweet award, but hey ho I’ve put money into the system for years through taxes and I haven’t asked for this crap dx so I’m slowly coming round to being pleased about it.
LD x
Hi LD, i get my Kuga anytime from the 20th Dec, its on the boat as we speak!! I hope it comes before we crimbo, we are going to Bowness on New Years Eve for a few days and really want to go in my new “posh car” 
i told my hubby i could have a nice little snooze while he drives us there
hugs Janette x x
Well done all you ladies on getting your mobility!
Hope your kuga arrives in time for xmas Janette.
It sounds fantastic! Enjoy! xxx