PIP application

PIP has arrived and I have at last managed to look at it, and started making notes, but already I have a lot of shoulder pain, so it is going to be really difficult to finish it in time. My fault for failing to get to grips with it earlier. Is there a down loadable version? I can't see one on your site.

I wasn’t sure whether to apply for PIP as it is so different to DLA, and everything I have heard about it isn’t hopeful, ie I have constant pain and fatigue but that doesn’t mean I will be eligible for benefits.

Will not applying, or applying and failing PIP, have any differing effects on the future ESA claim? Ie will they cross reference?

On the telephone conversation they said they would contact GP and Consultant. I spoke to consultant and he said they send out a ‘standard letter’ if asked. The form then arrived and it stated that I should send information from doctors to back up my claims. But how can I when the consultant wouldn’t discuss it? And I have never discussed all the pain and fatigue and problems with the GP as they are always too busy. And probably won’t give more than a perfunctory letter anyway.

When I last applied for DLA my RA was very bad and I believe I stated my father helped me out a lot. Last year his health deteriorated and now I have to do cooking, shopping etc. More physical work is done by carers who come in to do his personal care and do the housework. It doesn’t seem to mention on the form whether there is anyone else in the house. Will it come up at the face to face? Do I mention it? Will it affect how they see my ability to manage my disability? Do they look back at the old DLA application?

On the letter page of the form at the bottom it states “if you are making a further claim because your existing claim is coming to an end, then we may use the evidence you provide to look at your existing claim”

Why are they looking at existing claim if it is coming to an end?

Thanks for any information you can give.

Hi Caracal and Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I'm sorry that you are going through this I will try to answer your questions in turn -

If you decide not to apply for PIP, or your claim was refused, it would have no effect on your ESA award. The 2 benefits have very different criteria so it is not unusual to qualify for one and not the other.

Contrary to what you were told, it is actually quite unusual for DWP/the assessor to contact your doctors. Were advise that you should send in any documents you have that will support your claim. Other than an ad hoc letter from your GP or consultant, this could include copies of letters sent between GP and hospital and also reports from people who know you well. This is all covered in our PIP guide.

There is nowhere on the form that asks who you live with. The regulations allow that not everyone will have someone at home to help - a need is still a need, even if it is not met. However, at a face2face assessment you should expect to be asked how you manage things.

You will be asked whether you wish your previous DLA records to be taken into account. If not, the assessor and decision maker will have no previous knowledge of you and your DLA claims/awards. It is up to you to decide whether or not you think your old records would be helpful.

I have no idea why DWP would want to look at your current claim! Your DLA will come to an end 4 weeks after a PIP decision has been made - whenever and whatever that decision is.

The PIP guide can be found by following this link

PIP help for claimants

You might want to bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future. That will allow you to return with further questions/comments rather than having to start a new topic each time. It helps us enormously when everything relating to the same claim is kept in on place - and I hope you will find it useful too

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have been looking through your guide and drafting answers, which has taken me days. I am filling in form now, in a hurry, but have giving up trying to squeeze everything into small boxes. Is it Ok to type on extra paper rather than writing at p15 as it would be easier.

How do they view leisure activities these days? I make a few simple cards 3 or 4 times a year, glue on and bag up and sell once a week. I don't sell many 0 to 6, it is mainly to get out of the house once a week and meet a acquaintances. Otherwise I don't go out. Under socialising should I say this is the only social life I have? Or will they say if you can make cards your arthritis can't be too bad? Can't remember if I mentioned this for DLA plus DLA was more friendly to a leisure activities. I get the impression PIP is looking for anything to fail one on.

Thanks for help