PIP assessment - 2 points!

Hello Wing

I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties. You have very similar to me in two of the descriptors. I developed IBS four years ago. I too, when trying to prepare a meal with my husband, more often than not have to go to the toilet before, during and even after standing to try to prepare a meal. On a good day, I spend 15 minutes + on the toilet. 18 times a day. A bad day is 37 times overnight too. Because of FM, i find it hard to get off the toilet and despite my shoulders being in immense pain (cortisone injections in the past) i use the sink to balance myself.

From my own perspective, it is essentially important to get not just doctors letters, but impress upon those involved with your illness, to show compassion. It worked for me and I have a huge amount of support from my pain clinic... now discharged as they can't do anymore. I do however have ongoing psychology input. Which from what youre saying is not part of your disagreement with the assessment.

However, based on my recent assessment on a change of circumstances, and based on the assessment report, they have awarded me points for preparing a simple meal/points on toileting needs/ and points for taking nutrition amongst others which are not relevant to your claim.

Please if you can, concentrate on the criteria and how it affects your day to day life. If your shoulder is not documented anywhere or your Crohns is not documented.... you must've had elimination tests at the hospital for other causes for crohns to have been diagnosed. If you kept the letters diagnosing you, use them. But also say how difficult it is for you daily.

I keep a diary. Just wee notes because I know how hard it is to prove what happens in any given day.

If you have crohns and pain then show how that pain affects you within any given day. My recent assessment report was 30 pages long. I have offered to forward my redacted assessment report to the B & W website. it details the opinion of the assessor. Hoping that someone can gain an insight into a genuine report as I have nothing to hide. It covers both the situation you are in and also MH.

Good luck and hope you're able to achieve what you need. Use the guides on here.They really are invaluable. Xxx

I was thinking of doing that but I don't think I will get it in time as the MR has to be back by the 27th Feb.

I have had Crohn's for 20 years and I am on DLA high rate for care and mobility. Now the dwp want me to apply for PIP. I am 70 this year and if the dwp don't award me PIP either at MR or appeal then I will be too old to reapply.

Should I say how many points I think I should have been awarded for each task that I am unable to do? Or just reiterate what I have already told them on the form and in person at the assessment. My friend who helps me and is registered at the GP as my carer (unpaid) and also shares the house, is willing to write a letter in support. Should they just state what they help me with or describe my disability as well?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Jo2468

Thank you so much for taking the time to post. Although, I have Crohn's which is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease it is similar to IBS in that we spend a great deal of time in the toilet and have a great deal of pain and fatigue and as it is a hidden disease everybody seems to think you are fine!

I have had this for 20 years and in the beginning I was in and out of hospital and having appointments for tests but gradually they thought it was not going to get any better and more or less discharged me from the hospital. Even the medication had side effects and the consultant advised me to stop taking as it did not seem to any difference to my Crohn's. I then got cancer of the neck which, thankfully, was cured with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery which has left me with a painful shoulder and arm.
The Crohn's is bad enough leaving me fatigued most of the time and now the added side effect of the cancer treatment but hey,. I'm still alive and I'm very grateful to the wonderful doctors and medical staff who looked after me so well. It's the stress and worry now about PIP about getting the award after being on DLA and I'm not getting any younger - 70 this year. So any help is gratefully appreciated in order to get through this trial. I did originally have to go to tribunal to get my DLA 20 years ago but had support from the CAB even at the tribunal. Unfortunately, they have so few resources these days and are unable to give the help they once did. Thank goodness for the B&W site.

Hello Wing and thanks for your reply.

You need to concentrate on how you have to live through each day. It's hard to accept that this is what your life has been reduced to, I know first hand how that feels.

Concentrate on your current situation and submit how your illness affects you daily. Dig deep and admit what you want to say but are afraid of doing so because that makes your illness real in some way.

I am so sorry (and at the age of 70) that you are forced and compelled to justify an illness that has an affect on your life on a daily basis.

Be strong.,,,,, dig down and use everything on here to fight back at those who are so very keen to negate how your illness affects your life.

My experience of using Cab and others have taught me to believe that there is only one person who knows and understand my illnesses..... that would be ME.

take care and good luck and kind thoughts during this difficult time.

Xxxx