Carers support letter

Hi Val

We don't have a sample letter for carers because they will really vary. My advice is for your husband and daughter to look at the PIP questions and speak to each of those - from what they observe and what they have to do for you because you can't do it yourself. Sometimes family members can point out things that a claimant is unaware of themselves. They can also say what an impact your condition has on them as individuals or as a family.

They don't have to be good letter writers, and they don't have to write loads. One side of A4 paper will be plenty (unless of course, they want to write more). Just tell them to write from the heart.

A sample sentence might be: " Because of my wife's severe osteoarthritis and the pain in her hands and feet, she has been unable to prepare a meal since 2016. We have tried using adaptive cutlery and tools, but she is unable to grip them. This means she cannot cut up any type of food, nor can she open anything from a can or packet. Because of her poor balance, it is many years since she was able to carry a pan or dish across the kitchen. When I'm at work, my daughter looks after my wife, and gets them both something to eat - normally a sandwich."

Or they can just talk to all of the questions together - eg "Because of my wife's severe osteoarthritis and chronic depression, both of which have deteriorated in the last three years, she can no longer be left alone and is unable to do anything for herself. She cannot get to the toilet without help. When I'm at work, my daughter stays with my wife, as she cannot prepare a meal, eat or drink or take a shower without help. Because of her condition, she has become isolated from friends, as she is in too much pain and not mobile enough to leave the house. She has no hobbies and cannot take part in running the home because of her depression."

Obviously, I know nothing about you and the examples above are completely made up. The letters do not have to be perfect but do read whatever they write to make sure they haven't inadvertently said anything that contradicts what you say.

BIS