Letrozole & PIP?!

Hi  I used to volunteer at a community group and I helped people fill in their DLA/PIP forms and attended appeals with them as their support.  You have to spell out every single health issue as though you are explaining to a child who has no medical knowledge or common sense.  I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but the person reading your application has no medical knowledge, they look up your illness and then literally go off what the computer system tells them most people with that illness experience.  You need to put in as much detail as possible and keep reiterating your symptoms and how and why they effect you.

For example mobility, Letrozole can cause dizziness and confusion and general balance issues and these issues then effect your mobility. Those side effects also mean tasks like preparing food is difficult and possibly dangerous, you can't stand to cook if your balance is off and you are dizzy.  The same applies to showering or bathing.  Your condition is directly made worse by the drugs you take to keep your cancer at bay, they won't look at it that way though.  The psychological toll of cancer is immense and I hope you included that in your application.  You have to be upfront and very clear about how not only your cancer but your medication effect you mentally.  PIP can be and is awarded for psychological as well as physical illness and too often people forget to detail this in their application.

I would either speak to someone here at Macmillan or see if you have a local disability group that can help.  These forms are difficult and if you have never completed one before, daunting, it used to take me hours to complete one with a client and I did it virtually every day and I have a working knowledge of medical issues.  Don't give up, you have an illness that is affecting your life, that is what the benefit is designed for.

Thank you for your reply , it really helped, although I'm still unsure what to do!?! I'm the type of person that always say's "I'm fine" when anyone asks, I hate talking about myself  

Thanks again x

I was turned down for Attendance Allowance which is what you apply for instead of PIP if you are retired.  I appealed and was still turned down, despite not being able to leave the house on my own due to my cancer induced anxiety and physical symptoms.  My husband is basically my carer and the extra money would have been invaluable for help with a cleaner, for instance to help him.  I will apply again but get more help in completing the form.

Gee65Gee65 is right in everything she says.  Look on utube there are people in there who give advice about the form filling in   Few tips. You need a perching stool in your kitchen to make a small breakfast. You need stool to n your shower you need help washing your hair because of shoulder pain   Every aspect of your life 

Thank you all x

Hi, you may have already been in touch, but if not, Macmillan can help advise on benefits and finances.  Here's a link that might be useful. Best wishes 

Finance advice

1. Hi, I claimed PIP last year for the debilitating effects the cancer and chemo had on me. I was successful and was awarded it within a matter of couple of months. I didn't have to go for a face to face assessment, I had a phone call out of the blue with a few quick questions that only lasted 5 to 10 minutes. After a few weeks was awarded it with back pay from when I was diagnosed.  The form was  a nightmare to fill in, took me 5 hours. I detailed everything little thing that I couldn't do and how chemo impacted on my daily life.  I completed questions with nearly similar answers with as much detail as I could.  I was awarded the mobility part of it and now have a blue badge.  It's like Gee65 says, you have to spell out every little detail on your health issues to someone who has no idea of what you are going through and no medical knowledge. Good luck and don't give up X

Thank you. I have sent them my letter confirming osteoporosis even though they have sent the second refusal and wait to see if they respond! 

Thanks again x 

Hi

Just an update! I appealed again, although requested not to attend, and have again been refused. Form what I can see it's basically saying as I responded well at the 'assessment' and didn't mention some of the things I did on my appeal, I still don't qualify even now they have proof that I also have Osteoporosis. Perhaps I should have come over on a little boat  

It’s angers me that ‘genuine’ people are turned down and ‘fit, playing the system’ people get away with so much. I knew someone who claimed disability through back injury and said she could only use a wheelchair now! Not true…friend caught her loading heavy shopping bags into boot of car! Mrs Angry!! Best of luck on forward form submissions xxx