PIP

Hi, can someone give me a bit of advise please? I was given an indefinite award for DLA higher care & higher mobility 2 years ago. I have spondylosis of the lumber spine & osteoarthritis in my spine & both my hips. I filled in the forms for ESA & was put in the support group without a medical. Now I am waiting for my PIP letter to arrive, the trouble is 2 different doctors that I've built a relationship up with over the years have both retired. I have gone to the new doctors but they just seem like they can't be bothered with me. I've done physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, tens machine etc..... An occupational therapist visited me & I had all my house adapted for my needs around 7 years ago. The problem I have is that I've never been sent to see a specialist as the doctors have told me 5-6 of my discs are very bad & a specialist will only do something about 1 or 2 discs. I worry as I have no one to speak up for me now. I have always written my hospital number on my forms so they can look into that. I have no physio therapist, doctor or anyone else now to write a letter on my behalf. I've been to pain clinics over the years & had injections in my back that the pain doctor (when the X-ray machine was on me) said wont make a different due to all the osteoarthritis in my back - they didn't make a difference - but I don't see her any longer either. She gave me the fentynal patches I am on. I just worry a have no one to give me a supporting letter with my forms when I return them. I can't walk very far & I am in pain constantly. Between my daughters they look after me , helping to shower, dry & clothe me every day. I don't go out on my own as I'd started to fall over as my knees have been playing me up but the new doctors just dismiss this too!

Hi WL,

It is increasingly common for GPs to refuse to get involved with benefit claims,so you certainly will not be the only person with this problem ( I know that is of no help to you!). What you can do is ask to see your GP records and then photocopy any letters that might be helpful. There will be a charge for this but there is a limit so at least you will know what to expect.

Requesting your medical records

Charging for medical records

I was not aware I could do that. Thank you very much!

Hello again Mrs Hurtyback,

I have been reading through the many questions on the forum & I have noticed a lot of people have an end date on the ESA awards. As I have mentioned in my previous question I was put in the support group but there is no end date on the letter. Would you know why this is?

This site in invaluable to people seeking help! I would never have been able to get through everything so far without this site & I thank you all.

Hi wl, thank you for your kind words about B+W

I have just answered a very similar query from someone else. I will link you to that

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=topic&catid=10&id=105742