I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December last year and am on SSP at the moment but I have heard PIP mentioned a gew times. Has anyone else claimed it and if you have, how easy was it.
I am partially sighted and claimed PIP three years ago, back then there was quite a bit of paper work, then I had to go into town for a forty five minute interview and a few weeks later got notification, but it was not difficult and I got it. To simplify:
There is Standard PIP & Standard Mobility
Also
Advanced PIP and Advanced Mobility ( for severe illness and mobility)
I received the Standard for my sight loss. However, five months ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. I decided to contact PIP to notify them of the change of circumstances. This time there was a small amount of paper work, then a few weeks later a telephone consultation were I was told they were increasing my PIP.
It is a lot more simpler now, so don’t be afraid to apply, it’s what you are entitled to - you don’t ask you don’t get, right! Also, if you need to lay in on a bit do so, but don’t overdo it, these people aren’t stupid believe me.
I wish you loads of luck with your application and hope you continue to recover well. Please let me know how you get on, fingers crossed for you.
I was initially diagnosed with BC in 2021, x3 attempts at lumpectomy eventually resulting in mastectomy. Then chemo and radiotherapy. A nurse suggested applying for pip which I did in 2022 it was quite traumatic and intrusive, i was still recovering from all that had happened and was really tearful on the phone call to DWP. A few weeks later was told i wasnt awarded anything.
It's difficult to advise how to present your case, I tried to stay positive and active, I continued working albeit in a different role and from home. I really think that the process of applying, the questions and the assessment didn't take into account the impact on my mental health. As I say I strived to be positive but i felt this was then used against me.
In 2023 I was told that i had metastatic bc in two areas spine and lower back this was devastating as i had felt like I was getting back to my old self. The McMillan nurse at my clinic completed the forms and I received enhanced pip for daily living and mobility, no forms or assessments for me to do. I am really grateful as this has taken a lot of financial pressure away but am still really angry that I wasn't initially awarded.
Physically very little has changed, I still push my self to stay active, work and although it's a daily struggle I focus on what i can do. The treatment was hard ablative radiotherapy but i got through it with support ......and a mild sedative!!
I really think the whole PIP system needs to be looked at, a diagnosis of cancer is life changing and has long lasting effects for many people, even if your initial treatment plan works and you get the all clear it is still a constant worry and there are also many long lasting side effects of treatment many of which I still experience.
I'm not sure my reply will help you but be prepared and absolutely fight your corner. The impact isn't just physical it's emotional, mental and much more than the assessors can see. Good luck.and best wishes to you xxx
Hi freckles 2024 i too was diagnosed in Dec 2023, with triple negative breast cancer stage 3 , and also only got sick pay up until this month, I applied for pip but went to Maggie centre where they helped me fill the form in, its quite long form and you have to prove that it's impacted your health , be mentally , or needing help with food, dressing ect ..its worth getting help this enabled me to be successful I believe. They don't pay for the first 3 months of your illness ,so my chemo started 26th April, and they are only paying from July 26th. Hope this helps .
I have helped a few family members across the age range apply for PIP/DLA. 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.
PIP is not about the diagnosis, it's about how it affects your daily life. Therefore you can claim for mental health issues as well as physical causes. Do not make assertations like "I suffer pain everyday due to back injury" or "I feel depressed during the day and don't want to go out". You give examples like - I suffer pain when showering. Today, which is a typical day, it took me an hour to shower as the pain restricted me in removing my clothing, particularly upper or lower clothing as I have restricted mobility as a result of X. Then I needed someone near by to ensure I safe got in shower/used a seat etc. and help needed getting dressed. Be specific what you find hard. Mental health is much harder to give examples but you have to say what happens if you try to leave house, why you avoid dressing/showering/cooking etc.
Evidence - they don't care about diagnosis officially but if you can screen shot your medication/medical history if you have online access this should be sent. Else ask GP for print out. The best evidence is a supportive letter from carer, official or not saying what they see the person struggling with.
Once you have assessment ring and request a copy of it. This will have indicative scoring as they "suggest" where you should have points based on assessment. You may find reading the assessments upsetting as it can be full of inaccuracies and you may infer from their comments they don't believe you or just didn't listen. I know my daughter who had chronic MH issues was devastated/angry when she read her report due to its content.
When you get your decision if you feel it's incorrect then do a Mandatory reconsideration. Not difficult or scary. You ring and tell them you want one. You can send further evidence or just a letter setting out where you disagree with them. Don't focus on what they got wrong in assessment report, just focus on the descriptors and how you meet them.
If after the Mandatory reconciliation you still not happy. Appeal. Again not difficult or scary and you can do online. Again remain focussed on why and how you meet the descriptors so you just set out how you live from day to day.
For info. my daughter went from 0 points at original decision to higher rate after appeal.
If you do not get HR mobility your LA may tell you that you cannot get a blue badge. Again this is not true. You can apply and submit to an assessment.
I'll be honest. When you are unwell either physically or mentally or both it's a very daunting/difficult process claiming PIP so please seek help from family/friend/Citizen advice or MacMillan. Be prepared for the upset when they knock you back and write things that upset you.
If your mental health has been affected tell them. I don't mean just say "since being diagnosed with cancer I feel stressed" as they don't just say "yes I get you" but say if you struggle to leave the house alone to attend appointments/shopping, if you can't socialise alone anymore due to anxiety or if you have to be encouraged/reminded to shower as you avoid due to body image issues. These might not earn you points under descriptors but it shows a more complete picture of the difficulties you are facing. If you have trouble writing by hand you can say this on form and type it up, print it out and then on form say "see attached " on each question. The typed sheet should have your name & NI number on each page and put Question number/narrative on each answer. They are reluctant to tell you this, only know as someone on another forum told me. I had asked them for electronic form as my daughter has OCD and won't touch paper forms due to contamination issues. They said no, and only option they could ring and she could dictate answers or I could write it. Then told on another forum she could type it up , send it to me and I attach to form. I rang and asked and they went away to find out and came back saying yes that's acceptable. This made it so much easier as she could write over a few days and we could review & amend as it's easy to go off track of the questions. I used this same method for her review. The assessment for renewal was a short phone call.
