PIP and chronic pain

Magda

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

First of all, if you haven't already done so have a look at our PIP Claim guide.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

Next, you need to concentrate on the PIP activities, I can understand the impact that cleaning the toilet might have on you but it is not anything that is considered for PIP and won't help you to score points.

If you do things for your son then it is going to count against you, so as an example; if you prepare and cook a meal for him every day it will be difficult for you to show that you cannot do this, although not impossible.

So think about the things you do for him, perhaps make a list and then cross-reference it against the PIP activities that you are being assessed against, highlight where there is a conflict but also consider where there could be; again as an example; if you wash his hair, is this the same as you washing your own hair and if not why?

Break each activity down into tasks, so you could separate preparing food and cooking it, then think about the problems you have with each task, they may be the same but they may also be different. For each problem, explain why you cannot do it and why. You need to also explain why a suitable aid would not help and why assistance from someone else would not. If this is because you cannot get out of bed then explain this.

Gordon

Magda wrote: If my condition varies, should I write about my good (or worse, as I never have good days) and bad days or only bad days as many people suggest? I'm often in bed for 4-5 days out of 7.

I would explain how you are at your worst, on average and at your best, the latter does not have to mean without problem, make sure you explain how long you are affected in each way, you should be assessed on how you are limited on the majority of days. There's a section in the guide that covers fluctuating conditions.

Gordon