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Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
- Gary
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5 years 4 weeks ago - 5 years 4 weeks ago #246799 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
Hi Erik
I would stick to the advice from both Benefits & Work and Action For ME, who both say you should try asking our GP or healthcare professional for a supporting statement about your condition.
We do say try and get up to date supporting documents that will help support your claim, if your condition has not changed, then older documents are ok but not as good as a recent support document even if it states the same information as your old support document.
What it does, it shows that your condition is on going.
Gary
I would stick to the advice from both Benefits & Work and Action For ME, who both say you should try asking our GP or healthcare professional for a supporting statement about your condition.
We do say try and get up to date supporting documents that will help support your claim, if your condition has not changed, then older documents are ok but not as good as a recent support document even if it states the same information as your old support document.
What it does, it shows that your condition is on going.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 5 years 4 weeks ago by Gary.
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- Erik
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5 years 1 week ago #247209 by Erik
Replied by Erik on topic Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
Hi there. I have about 3 months worth of diary entries now, which would equate to about 90 pages if I transcribed it into the diary template provided here. How many days should I submit with my UC Capability for Work form? Would they really want the whole lot or would a sample period suffice? Thanks.
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- BIS
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5 years 1 week ago #247229 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
Hi Erik
It will be fine for you to include a sample. I can't tell you how much - that you will need to decide. You just want to give a clear picture of the difficulties you have.
BIS
It will be fine for you to include a sample. I can't tell you how much - that you will need to decide. You just want to give a clear picture of the difficulties you have.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Erik
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4 years 11 months ago #248126 by Erik
Replied by Erik on topic Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
I'm currently waiting for my PIP decision but I've now had my decision on UC and I'm very happy to say that they put me straight in the support group without fuss and no medical assessment. So a huge thank you to the people here for the fantastic guidance provided!
Thanks to the guidance I was able to comprehend how the questions actually relate to my case and what can, or cannot be, claimed with each question. I compiled my answers into a 10 page A4 booklet on computer at home, formatted nicely with cutout page tabs and stapled together. So I approached it with the same thoroughness and professionalism as if I was doing a university dissertation. I also stapled to the UC form (at the page for further info from family or carers etc.) a letter from my neighbour confirming what he has seen of my symptoms and the things he sometimes does to help me; and also stapled to the front page a small notice on exceptional circumstances to say that self-harm was a likely escape route if forced to endure my health problems and also tasks that I'm too exhausted or distressed to do.
I had similar experiences with my doctors surgery, in that when I first went in complaining of not being able to cope and severe fatigue their response was along the lines of: "Well, we don't know what the issue is, umm, let's test your liver, umm, nothing more to say. Bye." However, after I'd researched the list of symptoms for different types of chronic fatigue like conditions and made a pretty document showing which symptoms do or don't apply to me, the immediate response was to offer me referral to a specialist and a much more rigorous set of blood tests. So it does seem that if you approach people as a suffering victim who is meek, seemingly clueless and seeking help then not a lot happens, however, hit them with some well researched and professional looking documents and suddenly people start paying attention.
Anyway, I have a question for you kind folks, I notice on page 83 of the PIP application guide it says that if you are successful at your claim then it's worth asking for a copy of your assessment report before it is shredded. Does this mean the Decision Maker's assessment or the health professional's one? Is it also a good idea for UC? The reason I ask is because they put me in the support group but have told me nothing about how many points I scored or how they arrived at that decision - which perhaps could be useful information to know?
Thank you.
Thanks to the guidance I was able to comprehend how the questions actually relate to my case and what can, or cannot be, claimed with each question. I compiled my answers into a 10 page A4 booklet on computer at home, formatted nicely with cutout page tabs and stapled together. So I approached it with the same thoroughness and professionalism as if I was doing a university dissertation. I also stapled to the UC form (at the page for further info from family or carers etc.) a letter from my neighbour confirming what he has seen of my symptoms and the things he sometimes does to help me; and also stapled to the front page a small notice on exceptional circumstances to say that self-harm was a likely escape route if forced to endure my health problems and also tasks that I'm too exhausted or distressed to do.
I had similar experiences with my doctors surgery, in that when I first went in complaining of not being able to cope and severe fatigue their response was along the lines of: "Well, we don't know what the issue is, umm, let's test your liver, umm, nothing more to say. Bye." However, after I'd researched the list of symptoms for different types of chronic fatigue like conditions and made a pretty document showing which symptoms do or don't apply to me, the immediate response was to offer me referral to a specialist and a much more rigorous set of blood tests. So it does seem that if you approach people as a suffering victim who is meek, seemingly clueless and seeking help then not a lot happens, however, hit them with some well researched and professional looking documents and suddenly people start paying attention.
Anyway, I have a question for you kind folks, I notice on page 83 of the PIP application guide it says that if you are successful at your claim then it's worth asking for a copy of your assessment report before it is shredded. Does this mean the Decision Maker's assessment or the health professional's one? Is it also a good idea for UC? The reason I ask is because they put me in the support group but have told me nothing about how many points I scored or how they arrived at that decision - which perhaps could be useful information to know?
Thank you.
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- BIS
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4 years 11 months ago #248127 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Chronic fatigue and completely new to this
Hi Erik
Congratulations on your successful UC award. Your methodical 'can do' approach clearly paid off.
The PIP report is the Health Professionals report. You can ask for this 48 hours after an assessment.
You can ask for a record of your UC decision.
Some people like to have their reports and others prefer not to.
BIS
Tags: @RESULT @UC
Congratulations on your successful UC award. Your methodical 'can do' approach clearly paid off.
The PIP report is the Health Professionals report. You can ask for this 48 hours after an assessment.
You can ask for a record of your UC decision.
Some people like to have their reports and others prefer not to.
BIS
Tags: @RESULT @UC
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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