PIP answers

Hi TraceyTracey

The first point that I think you should make is that your husband prepares the majority of the meals because of your RA.(don't put it at the end)

If you have any letters to confirm your diagnosis I would make reference to it here. eg "I am unable to prepare meals because of my severe rheumatoid arthritis (see letter X from Dr. Y dated 13/4/2018). The RA causes pain and problems with mobility in ....etc etc. As well as the pain I suffer from ..... breathlessness etc etc. Both the pain and poor breathing function lead to increased fatigue and tiredness especially as the day wears on.

(The reason for mentioning the letter at this point is - it reminds the reader that you have a medical condition and the evidence and you're not just saying it. It's very easy for an assessor not to tie up the evidence with the specific criteria unless you keep hammering it home. You can quote your letters through every question if necessary)

Then go onto say that you have adapted aids and appliances, but you need to emphasise that despite these, because of the things mentioned above the majority of the time you could not prepare meals because of .... etc etc... If you're not careful it's easy to give the impression that, you have all the aids and appliances - to you can actually manage well.

If you do try to prepare a meal you need to say whether you ever do this alone or if it is unsafe for you to do so. I don't get a sense of whether you ever lift pans with hot water (I know you have light weight ones)- but do you use them - is it safe for you to use them - if you have carried one pot do you have the strength to carry another? If you don't do it then say so loud and clear giving reasons.

You're doing great.
BIS