New to the forum

Hi all
I have just subscribed today and wanted to document my journey with rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and have just started on new medication. I am currently taking metroxate and Zapain. Today the nurses visited and I was given the injection Benapali which I will now need to inject every week. I called the PIP helpline last week Thursday and am awaiting the claim form as I believe I may be entitled to this benefit. I am 43 years old and work full time in retail, I am a store manager. Last month I had steroid injections (ultra sound guided) in my elbow and ankle. I wear a support in my shoes as my foot arch has collapsed.Recently I have been attending hospital appointments, sometimes twice a week and my manager has advised that I need to attend these in my own time and must make the time up so I am now working both Saturdays and Sundays. This is not giving me the chance to recuperate and having a real detrimental effect on me both physically and mentally. Where do I stand with this? Please advise.

No, the query regarding where I stand with making up the time was not the only reason I joined the forum. I was hoping to get some advise regarding PIP and the claims process. I was advised to expect the form within a week so I hope to receive it in the next few days.

OK, I will look into the employment matter via CAB and I am also considering being referred to occupational health at my workplace.

Hi all
I am helping my husband with the forms which I have helped him complete. There is a lot of information so do you think its ok to type up the answers and attach all the paperwork and fill each box as 'see additional information' or shall I start to hand write the answers and then when I get to the end of the space - add the additional notes.

Also can someone please clarify about the mobility payment aspect of the form. My husband has excruciating pain in his feet. He has had steroid injections in his ankle and elbow twice this year. He has a support in his shoe which is to help with the collapsed arch. We changed our cars to automatics. I did so 8 years ago after having a hysterectomy and suffering with back and groin problems after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. My husband had to also as the pain and swelling was so severe he struggled with the gears. Shall this all be mentioned on the forms? He also had to be relocated to a store closer to home due to not being able to drive (he was doing an approx 45 minute - hour journey to work and approx 45 minutes back) He nows is at a store which is more accessible. Should all this be mentioned and will it help for him to get the mobility part as having to change the car has added additional financial pressure?
He struggles to walk and although can manage 20-50 metres it is extremely painful. He walks with a limp and he states the pain varies daily. He is on his feet a great deal at work however he has to get a balance as if he sits for too long he gets pain due to his knees and hips going stiff. Regarding the going out aspect: he is ok on a familiar journey but if he was having to go to another store he will not be comfortable to drive as he worries about the pain if he gets stuck in traffic and if we go somewhere far out we have to regularly stop as he gets extremely uncomfortable. I would have to go with him so we can share the driving. I am not a very confident driver at all so he does tend to drive more than I do as I get very panicky on the motorways and driving generally due to be involved in a few collisions. Should this all get mentioned on the forms and will this help as he does get anxious if he has to go anywhere unfamiliar. His job does involve going to other stores and using public transport is very difficult as well as the stores are not always close to the station, so usually a family member will have to drive him. He doesn't make it too obvious at work as he worries about the effect it may have on his job. Will they contact his workplace to verify as occupational health have been supportive but his manager has no compassion at all. Please advise.

Hi Bubblebug,

It will be absolutely fine to type up the answers to the questions in the way you describe. Make sure that the claimants name and NI number is clear on the top of each page. We also suggest numbering each extra sheet in the format 'page x of y' so that it is clear if anything goes missing. You should then affix the extra sheets securely to the back of the form - you can use staples, treasury tags, ribbon etc.

As to the mobility section - this is a test of walking so you should concentrate explaining your husband's problems with this and spend less time on the driving aspect. The going out/planning and following a journey question is intended to get information about people with mental health issues or sensory/cognitive deficits. It would be unlikely for your husband to score points on this descriptor without a documented problem in these areas.