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Claiming PIP and UC for neurological conditions - the story so far
- Marie
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8 hours 51 minutes ago #314148 by Marie
Claiming PIP and UC for neurological conditions - the story so far was created by Marie
I have had neurological conditions including epilepsy since childhood. I have tried and failed to hold down any kind of job, although I have gained a degree, of which I am very proud. I have struggled over the years to access financial support like benefits and found the process of claiming confusing and stressful. I appealed the DWP decision to reject my Universal Credit LCWRA application nearly 10 years ago and had a seizure whilst attending court. I was still turned down at that appeal.
Eventually I gained the LCWRA after years of trying and failing. I started a claim for PIP in 2021 and went to appeal after being rejected by the DWP. My appeal was rejected as I was not well enough to attend. I lost my home due to rent increases I couldn’t afford and had to move to a new area to afford rent. I like where I live a lot, but I don’t know it and have had to go through many unnecessary medical processes with new doctors and tests to establish I have serious health problems. In 2023 I began another claim for PIP. I had no medical records of relevant medical history (like initial diagnosis and EEG result from decades ago) so went through another unnecessary EEG a few years ago which proved I had epilepsy (the test provoked partial seizures). I now have my PIP after a long and painful appeal process, but it has been in the review process for a year now (since summer 2026).
I am really worried that due to being diagnosed in childhood I will always struggle to prove my disability to DWP and the benefit processes fill me with fear. I feel at a loss as to what I can do to protect myself and complete the application processes when I need to. This website, along with others like Epilepsy Action has been a lifeline for me. I have spoken to some amazing medical staff but there is a limit to what they can do if the DWP does not accept or even acknowledge my evidence. The thought of going through another appeal keeps me up at night. I can honestly say that the advice and information available on this website made all the difference in me winning my last appeal. I have PIP now and it was backdated but is under review. I don’t have answers for anyone reading this or even an end to my story yet, as I am still waiting for an update on the review, but I wanted to put my this message on this forum as reading the stories - good news and bad news - of others over the years has kept me going and kept me hopeful. I send all my support and best wishes to anyone going through this difficult process either for themselves or on behalf of someone else.
Eventually I gained the LCWRA after years of trying and failing. I started a claim for PIP in 2021 and went to appeal after being rejected by the DWP. My appeal was rejected as I was not well enough to attend. I lost my home due to rent increases I couldn’t afford and had to move to a new area to afford rent. I like where I live a lot, but I don’t know it and have had to go through many unnecessary medical processes with new doctors and tests to establish I have serious health problems. In 2023 I began another claim for PIP. I had no medical records of relevant medical history (like initial diagnosis and EEG result from decades ago) so went through another unnecessary EEG a few years ago which proved I had epilepsy (the test provoked partial seizures). I now have my PIP after a long and painful appeal process, but it has been in the review process for a year now (since summer 2026).
I am really worried that due to being diagnosed in childhood I will always struggle to prove my disability to DWP and the benefit processes fill me with fear. I feel at a loss as to what I can do to protect myself and complete the application processes when I need to. This website, along with others like Epilepsy Action has been a lifeline for me. I have spoken to some amazing medical staff but there is a limit to what they can do if the DWP does not accept or even acknowledge my evidence. The thought of going through another appeal keeps me up at night. I can honestly say that the advice and information available on this website made all the difference in me winning my last appeal. I have PIP now and it was backdated but is under review. I don’t have answers for anyone reading this or even an end to my story yet, as I am still waiting for an update on the review, but I wanted to put my this message on this forum as reading the stories - good news and bad news - of others over the years has kept me going and kept me hopeful. I send all my support and best wishes to anyone going through this difficult process either for themselves or on behalf of someone else.
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Wendy Woo, LL26
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- LL26
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2 hours 34 minutes ago #314157 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Claiming PIP and UC for neurological conditions - the story so far
Hi Marie,
Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that you found B&W helpful. The road to benefit is often very troublesome!
Since you are due a review, it might be helpful to create an ongoing diary. Lost when you have seizures, it indeed any health issues, describe how you felt and what happened. This might be you sensed a fit or alternatively 'woke up' afterwards. How long was the fit, (use information gained from others if need be) was there any weakness etc later as an after issue? If you had a fit was there any trigger such as heat, stress etc.?
Having a contemporary note of the effects of health problems will serve as good evidence when trying to remember how many fits (or days of pain or fatigue or whatever it is,) It will also allow you to confidently explain the disability and patterns etc - which might be truly random or of a more regular nature.
I hope that both medically and in terms of support that you now have the help you need. And of course ...B&W will be here if you need further help.
Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.
Thank you once again for your story, this is important for others in a similar position.
LL26
Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that you found B&W helpful. The road to benefit is often very troublesome!
Since you are due a review, it might be helpful to create an ongoing diary. Lost when you have seizures, it indeed any health issues, describe how you felt and what happened. This might be you sensed a fit or alternatively 'woke up' afterwards. How long was the fit, (use information gained from others if need be) was there any weakness etc later as an after issue? If you had a fit was there any trigger such as heat, stress etc.?
Having a contemporary note of the effects of health problems will serve as good evidence when trying to remember how many fits (or days of pain or fatigue or whatever it is,) It will also allow you to confidently explain the disability and patterns etc - which might be truly random or of a more regular nature.
I hope that both medically and in terms of support that you now have the help you need. And of course ...B&W will be here if you need further help.
Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.
Thank you once again for your story, this is important for others in a similar position.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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