PIP Assessments For Psoriatic Arthritis
Posted , 28 users are following.
Has anyone been for PIP assessment? I went yesterday not sure how it went i will have to wait to find out. But the Questions i was asked was pointless they only asked what i had written on the application to confirm what i had written, They have been in contact with my specialist who has confirmed my condition and spoken to other medical people i have seen to me it was pointless. They have all the information they need so why do they need to see you? The exercises they asked me to do where mainly pointless as they were ones that my condition is not effected by and the ones that were i could not do. Has anyone managed to get PIP for Psoriatic Arthritis or am i wasting my time?
4 likes, 61 replies
pippie56520 robert271163
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robert271163 pippie56520
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No i didnt realise i could look at the scoring, oh well i will just have wait to see if i get it or not. Thanks for the info
sheila65847 robert271163
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I too receive PIP upper rate of the care component, nothing for mobility which I have appealed against so waiting to hear on that score. If you are not awarded it, appeal. Getting in touch with the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre. Best thing I ever did
robert271163 sheila65847
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paula75423 sheila65847
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sheila65847 paula75423
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my appeal was successful, so I now get higher rate for care and lower rate for mobility, it's odd that Pippie received it the other way round lower for care and upper rate for mobility but PsA is a strange condition which affects us all differently. I was retired from my job on grounds of capability due to ill health in Oct 2014 yet the pension provider refused my application for ill health retirement and 2 subsequent appeals. Another battle for me, as if life isn't hard enough. I think because it is a rare condition that not enough is known about it and that's why things are so very hard. It seems that only recently the medical profession are realising it is not the poor relation of rheumatoid arthritis - I mean no disrespect to folk with RA. If I can be of any help please respond or ask your husband to. You sound like a caring supportive lady, we need that. My husband is fantastic, I feel extremely blessed. Best wishes x
paula75423 sheila65847
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sheila65847 paula75423
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okay, I had 2 separate incidents which I will give you as much info as I can remember:
1. 2013 - applied for DLA (pre PIP days) I was awarded lower rate mobility, nothing for the care ccomponent, or whatever it was called then. My trade union rep thought this was very unfair as I had been confined to a wheelchair at times during 2012-13. I too went through mandatory review without success so I went to tribunal. The outcome of which was successful, the process was much better than I anticipated all I had to do was be completely honest. The ttribunal panel consisted of 3 people, one was a clinician, can't recall what the others were. I received their decision on the day.
2. Earlier this year, when PIP replaced DLA in my area, I was awarded upper rate care component but nothing for mobility. I went to mandatory appeal, attended a medical and received a positive outcome within 6 weeks.
Paula - 2 things to stress - I received loads of support from my TU rep and Disability EEmployment Advisor from the local jobcentre. You can't do this alone.
Send lots and lots and lotsof eevidence, rheumy reports, GP letters, stuff from PAPAA and other national charities. Even if your appeal has been sent in, keep sending evidence, just mark it with your reference no. I'm not going to fib, I spent lots of time and energy doing this. DWP quite correctly are rigorous, it's public funds after all.
If you would like my email address please pm me; I will do my best to help. PsA overwhelmed me, I needed and received help and it will be my pleasure to pass this on.
paula75423 sheila65847
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I have no idea how to pm you lol I'm new on here.
sheila65847 paula75423
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click on the little grey envelope, top left under my name. That way you can send a private message which will be seen only by me. We will be able to communicate easier rather than a public forum. Disappointing about your jobcentre, perhaps try again and hope that you get someone more helpful. The stuff you're doing is really positive, I hope someone else on this forum may suggest other things to help you both.
david_82128 sheila65847
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I have just been reading this thread as I’m looking for advice. I was diagnosed with PsA 2 years ago I take methotrexate and inject Humira and take strroida and have done since I was diagnosed. During this period we lost our daughter to Cancer after a 5 year Baylor she was 11 I’ve struggled to keep up with appointments and medication as it was so difficult juggling everything. I do receive middle rate pip but my PsA is in my feet toes and heals - knees - hip right hand side and fingers and thumbs right hand side that are literally twice the size as my left hand I have shocking fingers nails they are chronically pitted.
I can’t walk without a stick and my wife’s help and I’m 41 I don’t know what to do or who to contact to get help !!!!!
Any advise if your still on this thread would be amazing thank you.
David
robert271163 david_82128
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Sorry to hear of your loss and your on going medical issues. There is some light at the end of the tunnel, You can ask for a re assesment or you can make a new application on the grounds that your condition has got worse since your assesment. I think your best approach will be to make a new application, because even if you do not get a higher payment the payment your already getting can not be withdrawn until its term is up. If you go for re assesment option it depends how long since it was awarded also they could change the amount up or down, So best option again is fresh claim.
Hope this helps
Robert
sheila65847 david_82128
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I would make a new application as Robert suggests rather than reassessment because a benefit could be decreased/increased. One thing to remember is that Atos Healthcare who undertake the assessments are not rheumatology experts. They are working through a script - the person who you see during the assessment then sends the information to a decision maker. Remember to support your application with as much supporting evidence - copies of letters, test results. Include a personal statement written by your wife. Do you keep a daily diary? I do. I record how I feel, pain level and mobility plus I record how much medication I take. Includes also, all physio and OT appointments, etc. A daily diary is a great piece of evidence not only for these assessments but for yourself too, Finally, have you spoke to PAPAA? Very helpful. Good luck, David.
janet11037 robert271163
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fran64873 robert271163
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PIP, this I did. I have to have a assessment on 18th February 2016. I am quite worried, as I'm not very good at explaining myself!! I agree with you, as I have given them my rheumatologist name, and orthopaedic doctors
name. Did you get PIP after?
sheila65847 fran64873
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if you get in a fluster when talking about yourself, as I do, make notes beforehand. Very useful as there's nothing worse than leaving such an appointment thinking "oh why didn't I say that?". Please read through my posts to Robert and Paula above, if you want any further help, please ask away!
robert271163 fran64873
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frances66 sheila65847
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robert271163 frances66
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Where did you have to go for it?
robert
sheila65847 frances66
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well done, lady. We build things up through fear. I'm glad that you felt relaxed. I hope you were well prepared, I'm sure you were. That gives us confidence. You will have your answer soon, I hope it's favourable. Please let me know x
frances66 robert271163
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frances66 sheila65847
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robert271163 frances66
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sheila65847 frances66
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,when oh when will Stelara kick in? I'm trying so hard to get more mobile. Been receiving physio in hydro pool X2 per week for 6 weeks, certainly helps my mood. I'm going to continue this (now fee paying, have used up my NHS funded treatment. Sorry, Fran, I've gone off on a tangent. Best wishes all. Suggestions most welcome x
frances66 sheila65847
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robert271163 frances66
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frances66 robert271163
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robert271163 frances66
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sheila65847 frances66
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that would be great! I'm delighted to hear you are starting Apremilast soon. I believe it's been used by dermatologists for a while with fantastic results. I don't think it's been approved by NICE for PsA yet in England but of course you may be in Scotland or Wales where they are. That's the drug my rheumy thinks will change my life completely for the better but he is unable to prescribe yet. It's fustrating as I live 5 miles from the border with Scotland! I'm really keen to hear your views so please stay in touch. Best wishes xxxxx
frances66 sheila65847
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rachy796 robert271163
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Rachel
sheila65847 rachy796
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bless you, it's awful. I was diagnosed in 2011, I'm a lot older than you, 52. My advice would be to inform DWP. If you want to talk privately, please send me a personal message by clicking the small grey envelope under my name. That way only you and I can see messages. Welcome to this forum, there's lots of good friends on here, we all have the same difficulties and you will get lots of tips, support and encouragement. Sheila