Pip form

And the assessment is pretty straight forward - they test your walking, ask you questions about what medication you are on, mental health, E.T.C. If you do have problems walking take a walking stick. Hope this helps.

Hi Lydia,

PIP is not to do with your diagnosis or what you suffer from, it is about how your condition affects your day to day living.   

Amongst other things I have spondylitis which affects my balance and restricts my movements, which means I am not able to get in or out of a shower without help as I'm unstable and at risk of falling.  I also cannot bend so need help with washing my legs and feet.  The same with dressing and undressing, putting on sock and shoes etc.

Arthritis affects my ability to grip things so I need help with preparing and cooking a meal etc.  A knife slipped and I ended up having stitches through a bad cut and I've dropped a saucepan with boiling water and badly burned myself, so can't lift any pans.  

I was not able to write for long, so my friend completed my forms using my words and each question was answered in full (typed) on a separate piece of paper explaining how I struggle with everyday chores.  This is important even though it looks as if you are repeating yourself.  

At the face to face, be aware that you are being watched from the minute you arrive to when you leave.  I had a very good assessor who was very truthful in her report.  She even said that she was amazed that I had been asked to attend as it seemed quite obvious to her that I struggled to even stand let alone walk.   She asked some  questions about how I manage throughout the day, the same questions as on the form really.  I had to count backwards from 100 duducting 7 each time and had to remember 3 or 4 items and I believe some people are asked to do certain movements, bending etc.

I rand the DWP and asked for a copy of the assessors report about 4 days following the face to face, which confirmed that she was truthful about me.  It's quite important to get this as it will help if you do not get the decision you were hoping for and need to ask for a Mandatory reconsideration.  

There's lots of information on the Internet about PIP forms, so hopefully that will help as well. Lots of good luck and please come back and let us now how you get on.