On the Online Community, lots of members have been talking about PIP. ‘PIP’ is short for Personal Independence Payment, a benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age. It is for people who have problems with daily living or moving around.
Some people with a cancer diagnosis may experience difficulties managing day-to-day with daily living tasks and could be eligible to claim PIP. If you’d like to find out more about PIP and whether you might be able to claim, here's where you can find information about PIP from Macmillan Cancer Support.
You might have heard in the media about some people’s difficulties in claiming PIP and delays in PIP payments. Find out more on PIP delays and catch up on Community members’ experiences in this blog.
If you’d like to support anyone experiencing delays, you can go straight to Macmillan’s campaign to reduce waiting times for PIP.
If you’re struggling with day-to-day tasks, you might feel frustrated and upset. Life after diagnosis and treatment often involves a period of change, where you might need to discover your ‘new normal’.
“Now my quality of life is a challenge as I cannot walk without support. Feeling shocked that I am described as disabled! How do other people come to terms with something like this?” Community member - new to the Community forum
"Letrozole caused severe joint and bone pain and I have needed help with cooking, washing and dressing support with washing my hair as also have restricted movement in right arm and lymphodema in both arms, etc" Community member - breast cancer forum
It might be even more challenging for you if you’re also experiencing financial difficulties whilst going through that period of change.
"...he is struggling to pay his bills now he’s unable to work, can he get any help?" Community member - carers only forum
Claiming PIP
You may be able to claim PIP if you’re working or not. PIP is not means tested. You will need to be able to show the impact your illness or treatment has on your day-to-day life.
You can find out more about what benefits you might be entitled to by using the Macmillan Benefit Calculator. Or you can go straight to our information about PIP here.
You can also find one-to-one support from Macmillan through the Welfare Rights team on the Support Line and locally. You can speak to a Macmillan welfare rights adviser free by calling the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00. Or visit macmillan.org.uk/inyourarea to find out whether you can see a Macmillan welfare rights adviser in person.
Find out what you need to have ready when you call our Welfare Rights Advisers.
You could also contact your local Citizens Advice in England, Scotland and Wales, Advice NI in Northern Ireland or benefits advice centre.
"I visited local cancer centre for massage to help lymphodema and was introduced to a Macmillan welfare advisor who suggested I claim PIP. Filling in the forms are hard work but advisor made helpful suggestions and I was able to submit some hospital letters as evidence." Community member - breast cancer forum
PIP Assessments
In addition to finding information from Macmillan about making a new claim for PIP, it might also be helpful to talk to other people who have claimed PIP so you know what to expect.
“Hi I have never 'claimed' anything before but was advised that I may be eligible for PIP so I completed the form and now have a face-to-face assessment! Has anyone else had one so I know what to expect?!?”Community member - breast cancer forum
"I am interested to know other people's experiences of claiming PIP..I am 63 and you can only claim it if 65 or under." -Community member - breast cancer forum
There's lots of support available from people who have been through a PIP claim and assessments themselves. You can read through the whole thread and find tips from members of the Community by clicking on the link at the end of each quote.
"My top tip is to write a typical day diary then ask someone else to fill in form on your behalf. This is because as people we are positive and put a brave face on things, and have the "can't complain" mentality. This means you either hold back on filling in the form or you become upset/depressed by the impact of your disability that you withdraw and give up. Another person completing is more objective." Community member - breast cancer forum
PIP Special Rules
“I believe that PIP claim can be fast tracked when GP or Oncologist sign form to say if person not expected to live beyond 6 months or has terminal diagnosis. This may not be accurate?" Community member - breast cancer forum
If you are terminally ill, you can apply for PIP using a fast-track process called special rules. You can apply if your doctor thinks you may be reasonably expected to live for less than 6 months (12 months in Northern Ireland). You should get your first payment within 2 weeks of applying. We have more information about how to apply using special rules.
Pay PIP Now
"DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) sent me text to say report received on 19th January 21. Now the wait..I originally requested the forms in August 21." Community member - breast cancer forum
"Hi everyone ? After a long wait I was finally awarded pip for my cancer condition… after waiting three months now I have to wait till august / September to receive a payment." Community member - Technical Help forum
Macmillan are campaigning to cut distressingly long waiting times for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) down to 12 weeks. We think it’s unacceptable that many people living with cancer are being put under significant financial strain while they wait an average of 18 weeks for the support they urgently need and are entitled to. Have you been affected by this, or would you be interested in getting involved?
You can join the Macmillan PIP campaign to ‘Pay PIP Now’ here.
Read our Community News Blogs about help with the cost of living
Macmillan Cancer Information blog, August 2022 - 'Cost of living - financial support for people with cancer'
Community News blog, March 2022 - 'Cost of living - support for people with cancer'
You can also read about Sarifa and her experience of claiming PIP here and Jenny and Lesley talk about the cost of living when you have cancer here.
If you’ve been affected by some of the issues in this blog, why not start a discussion in one of your forums now?
