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PIP new Claim for Multiple conditions and being a full time carer.
- Salb125
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2 days 15 hours ago #313149 by Salb125
PIP new Claim for Multiple conditions and being a full time carer. was created by Salb125
Thank you all for reading in advance.
I have been living with fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression for a few years now. My health has now really deteriorated. I have been an unpaid carer for 28 years and have term caring responsibilities of 2 adults, I have had to give up work and I have been told by a healthcare professional to claim pip. Having gone through ups and downs with both my son and my mum and their DWP experiences, I am really concerned about putting in a claim.. As I am a carer (with no outside help at the moment), I am worried that this will affect my claim as I will appear more capable of lots of things than is actually the case. I wasn’t going to say much about this on my claim form. I know you cannot say directly how this will affect my claim but would any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Sally.
I have been living with fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression for a few years now. My health has now really deteriorated. I have been an unpaid carer for 28 years and have term caring responsibilities of 2 adults, I have had to give up work and I have been told by a healthcare professional to claim pip. Having gone through ups and downs with both my son and my mum and their DWP experiences, I am really concerned about putting in a claim.. As I am a carer (with no outside help at the moment), I am worried that this will affect my claim as I will appear more capable of lots of things than is actually the case. I wasn’t going to say much about this on my claim form. I know you cannot say directly how this will affect my claim but would any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Sally.
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- BIS
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15 hours 46 minutes ago #313163 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP new Claim for Multiple conditions and being a full time carer.
Hi Salb125
I can understand your concern. Some members of Benefits & Work have found themselves at a disadvantage when applying for PIP because they are carers, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. There are also plenty of people who are carers and receive PIP.
Your claim is about you
My first piece of advice is to make sure that the claim is all about you. It's about your physical and mental health. You are right to minimise the extent to which you include your mother or your son. Don't give information that you have not been asked for. Claimants should never lie, but it's quite possible for someone to overexplain situations that the health professionals don't understand and aren't necessary to a question that's asked. I would certainly tilt it towards you having to give up work because of a deterioration. You're an unofficial carer - so you don't have to go into extensive explanations about what you may do for your loved ones. As you say they will undoubtedly say that you appear more capable - it's one of their favourite things to say to people in such circumstances. Of course they can't judge what cost there is to you mentally or physically in supporting others - they will only say that you do it. Where ever you mention your loved ones on the form = don't put a positive spin on your situation out of pride. If you find things incredibly difficult say so.
A family member of mine has your conditions and she is also a carer and she admitted to the DWP they lived on sandwiches because she was too exhausted and in too much pain and too depressed to ever cook. She manages their money but very badly because she is depressed. She didn't sugar coat their situation and she has been one of the lucky ones to be awarded enhanced for both.
Your medical conditions.
You've fought for your loved ones so you know what it's like - but it's so much harder when you have to do it for yourself. Don't assume the health professional will understand your medical conditions and what impact it has on you. With a condition like fibro = you know there are people who manage quite well with it, those who have constant flares and those that are bed bound. If yours is fluctuating, you need to make it clear your condition on the majority of days and don't use the term 'best days' - use 'better' days if appropriate. If it's bad days and even worse or unbearable days - do not be afraid to say so. Remember you are the expert of your condition and you have to be your own advocate.
Mobility
I don't know how your walking is affected but don't be caught out on how far you can walk. If you are in pain before you even stand up say so, - if you have to stop to steady yourself, say so, - if you suffer from sudden exhaustion and are in danger of losing your balance - say so. Don't asssume the health profession knows or understands your symptoms even if their familiar with the condition.
Evidence
You've had recent contact with a medical professional; if they are prepared to write you a letter, ask for one. Some will and some won't. As they suggested, you apply for PIP, I would hope they could manage even a paragraph confirming your condition and any difficulties they are aware of. Don't worry if they say they can't - you're still able to say that you've seen them.
If there is anyone else who can write a letter - a friend or relative who can write about you and your struggles, provide one.
Some people include a diary. You don't have to keep it for very long - even two weeks could be useful in showing the DWP how you manage. You can find the template under the PIP tab. Don't feel you have to do this - some do and many don't.
Our guides
Use our guides - they really will help you put in the best claim you can. It seems daunting when you start, and it is - but just take one question at a time, look at the standard answers, and see if there's anything missing from what you first thought of writing. As I said earlier - it's different when you're doing it for yourself - it's very easy to miss out things you should be saying to make your case.
Also - please make sure you understand the reliability criteria. You'll find it on page 17 of the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. People often miss it out and it is key in explaining your conditions and what you can and can't do.
If you have any further questions - come back and ask and we will try to help.
BIS
I can understand your concern. Some members of Benefits & Work have found themselves at a disadvantage when applying for PIP because they are carers, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. There are also plenty of people who are carers and receive PIP.
Your claim is about you
My first piece of advice is to make sure that the claim is all about you. It's about your physical and mental health. You are right to minimise the extent to which you include your mother or your son. Don't give information that you have not been asked for. Claimants should never lie, but it's quite possible for someone to overexplain situations that the health professionals don't understand and aren't necessary to a question that's asked. I would certainly tilt it towards you having to give up work because of a deterioration. You're an unofficial carer - so you don't have to go into extensive explanations about what you may do for your loved ones. As you say they will undoubtedly say that you appear more capable - it's one of their favourite things to say to people in such circumstances. Of course they can't judge what cost there is to you mentally or physically in supporting others - they will only say that you do it. Where ever you mention your loved ones on the form = don't put a positive spin on your situation out of pride. If you find things incredibly difficult say so.
A family member of mine has your conditions and she is also a carer and she admitted to the DWP they lived on sandwiches because she was too exhausted and in too much pain and too depressed to ever cook. She manages their money but very badly because she is depressed. She didn't sugar coat their situation and she has been one of the lucky ones to be awarded enhanced for both.
Your medical conditions.
You've fought for your loved ones so you know what it's like - but it's so much harder when you have to do it for yourself. Don't assume the health professional will understand your medical conditions and what impact it has on you. With a condition like fibro = you know there are people who manage quite well with it, those who have constant flares and those that are bed bound. If yours is fluctuating, you need to make it clear your condition on the majority of days and don't use the term 'best days' - use 'better' days if appropriate. If it's bad days and even worse or unbearable days - do not be afraid to say so. Remember you are the expert of your condition and you have to be your own advocate.
Mobility
I don't know how your walking is affected but don't be caught out on how far you can walk. If you are in pain before you even stand up say so, - if you have to stop to steady yourself, say so, - if you suffer from sudden exhaustion and are in danger of losing your balance - say so. Don't asssume the health profession knows or understands your symptoms even if their familiar with the condition.
Evidence
You've had recent contact with a medical professional; if they are prepared to write you a letter, ask for one. Some will and some won't. As they suggested, you apply for PIP, I would hope they could manage even a paragraph confirming your condition and any difficulties they are aware of. Don't worry if they say they can't - you're still able to say that you've seen them.
If there is anyone else who can write a letter - a friend or relative who can write about you and your struggles, provide one.
Some people include a diary. You don't have to keep it for very long - even two weeks could be useful in showing the DWP how you manage. You can find the template under the PIP tab. Don't feel you have to do this - some do and many don't.
Our guides
Use our guides - they really will help you put in the best claim you can. It seems daunting when you start, and it is - but just take one question at a time, look at the standard answers, and see if there's anything missing from what you first thought of writing. As I said earlier - it's different when you're doing it for yourself - it's very easy to miss out things you should be saying to make your case.
Also - please make sure you understand the reliability criteria. You'll find it on page 17 of the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. People often miss it out and it is key in explaining your conditions and what you can and can't do.
If you have any further questions - come back and ask and we will try to help.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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