Many of our clients need to rely on Personal Independent Payment (PIP), and navigating the application process can be complicated and fraught with worry and anxiety.
We have compiled a short guide on how to claim PIP* for our clients who suffer from chronic pain, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Fibromyalgia, in England and Wales.
The guide is set out to help show each step:
Check Your PIP Eligibility
To be eligible for PIP, you must be aged between 16 and the State Pension age, have a long-term health condition or disability (expected to last for at least 12 months), and have difficulty with daily living activities and/or mobility. You can claim PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
Start Your PIP Claim
You can start your claim by requesting a PIP claim form by contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the phone. You can also start our claim by post by sending a letter. You'll then be sent a form asking for your personal information. After this is returned, you'll be sent a form asking for information about your condition. both forms should be sent to:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH
You can also start your claim by applying for PIP online in some areas. You'll need to check your postcode when you start your application.
PIP Claim Phoneline
As set out on the government website, these further details are extracted from the contact section and may assist:
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766
Opening Hours - Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
We appreciate you may have brain fog or are feeling exhausted. Sometimes, having the simple details written down will help you when being asked specific questions.
The bullet points below have been extracted from the government website for ease of reference. This information is not our own.
When making contact have to hand the following details;
Your contact details including phone numbers and address
Your date of birth
Your National Insurance number, if you have one (you can find this in letters about tax, pensions, and benefits)
Your bank or building society account number and sort code
Your GP or health worker’s name, doctor's surgery name, address and telephone number
Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital.
Dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited.
PIP Claim Form
You will then be asked to complete a form and return it. When completing the form ensure this is accurate and provide detailed information about your condition and its impact on your daily life. Explain how your symptoms affect your ability to carry out activities such as personal care, mobility, managing medication, and engaging with others.
Gather Supporting Evidence
Collect supporting evidence to strengthen your claim. This includes medical records, diagnostic reports, letters from healthcare professionals, and any other relevant documentation. Request a supporting letter from your treating physicians or specialists that describes your condition, symptoms, and limitations. If you have a claim you can ask your solicitor to provide copies of medical records, letters and medical reports to assist with your case.
Details of Healthcare Professionals
In the claim form, include the names and contact details of the healthcare professionals involved in diagnosing and treating your condition. This allows the DWP to seek additional information directly from them, if necessary.
Daily Life Impact
Use the form's "additional information" section to provide specific examples of how you’re your condition affects your daily activities. Describe the challenges you face, such as pain, mobility issues, and cognitive difficulties and how these impact your ability to carry out tasks.
"Prepare for the assessment by gathering relevant medical evidence and documenting specific examples of how your condition affects you."
Submit Your PIP Claim
Once you have completed the form, send it to the address provided on the form. Make a copy of the completed form and supporting documents for your records just in case you want to refer to this later when you speak with the person who will be making the decision.
Attend The Assessment
After submitting your claim, you may be invited for a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional. This assessment helps the DWP determine the level of support you require. Prepare for the assessment by gathering relevant medical evidence and documenting specific examples of how your condition affects you.
Stay Informed And Follow Up
Keep track of the progress of your claim by noting down any reference numbers or communication with the DWP. If you have not received a decision within a reasonable timeframe, contact the PIP helpline to inquire about the status of your claim
Appeal If Necessary
If your claim is denied or you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. The DWP will provide you with a mandatory reconsideration notice explaining the decision. Follow the instructions provided to request a reconsideration or seek advice from organizations such as Citizens Advice or disability support services to guide you through the appeals process. We have included a link to use should you wish to go to the formal advice provided for this process: Appeal PIP Decision.
And Finally...
If you need to ask any questions, please first call the number of the correspondence you have received. Make sure any questions you have are written down. If the answers are not sufficient, please see additional advice from the Citizens Advice near to you. They have advisers on hand with specific knowledge of PIP applications.
*Please note that this guide provides general information for claiming PIP in England and Wales. It's always advisable to consult the official guidelines and seek advice from relevant organizations to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for your specific circumstances.
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