Pip cuts

gentleshores

No. Because they ask questions like - could you just put something in the microwave. Then you're classed as being able to cook a simple meal. It's hard enough to get two points awarded on that, never mind 4.

Washing for example. It used to be if you needed assistance washing the lower half. Now it's if you need assistance washing the upper half.

I read the new rules as "if you need assistance to prepare or cook a simple meal" you get 4 points. I take this to mean cutting chopping etc and actually cooking without use of a microwave.

" The microwave question is a separate question for 2 points.

growstuff

gentleshores

Some of the questions are noddy. Only 2 points if you can't get in or out of a bath or shower without assistance. But 4 points if you can't wash between your waist and shoulders.

So what if you can get in the bath but can't get out again? No points. How you're supposed to be able to wash your upper half if you can't get in or out of a bath or shower ..... it doesn't make sense. If you need assistance, and only get 2 points - no money to pay for the assistance.

I'm confused. If you can't get in or out of a bath or shower without assistance, surely it's two points - because you can't get out.

TBH I'd score two points on some days because I find it difficult to get out of a bath, especially if I've used any slippery bath gel. However, I'd seriously worry if I couldn't wash my upper half. I just stand naked in front of a bowel of water with a facecloth and soap.

I would imagine that 'between your shoulders and waist' includes your back and that's why it sores 4 points.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there getting PIP but don't really qualify. It's those people that should have PIP stopped. Don't despair. Keep plugging on until you are sure you are getting your rightful payments.

Don't try to fill in any benefit claim forms yourself. Make an appointment to go to Citizens Advice or go to one of their drop in sessions. They have expert form fillers who know exactly how these forms should be filled in and will do it for you.

So many people give up if they are refused the benefit especially the genuine ones.
Don't give up. Approximately 68% of PIP appeals are successful at tribunal.

My friend is worrying herself , she gets pip and has done for quite a few years. She is aged 68 and in receipt of state pension. She has heard that everything is changing to Universal credit and that one must reapply under this new heading , if she doesn't reapply her pip will stop . She is in an anxious state . Her pip helps keep her car on the road as walking is difficult , she does have a blue badge to help with this . Can any of you advise please? Does she have to reapply ? Thankyou

Spur friend should ring Age UK, not reply on Gransnet, but no, PIP is totally separate from any other income and savings

People need to learn to get help to fill these forms out. I got help from MacMillan: made ALL the difference and my claim was accepted first time.

Get help from a social worker, someone who knows the PIP/Social Security System, an advocate at Citizens' Advice. DON'T complete the form on your own: you will be DENIED and have to appeal. Example: someone I know who is a nurse with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - a permanent condition - was knocked back first time. After seeking help from a Social Worker, her claim was accepted.

TELL everyone you know to pass this advice on via social media or whatever channels you use to tell as many folk as possible.

I'm grateful Scotland switched over to its own ADP - similar, but not (yet) run by Junior Hitlerites.

Toetoe

My friend is worrying herself , she gets pip and has done for quite a few years. She is aged 68 and in receipt of state pension. She has heard that everything is changing to Universal credit and that one must reapply under this new heading , if she doesn't reapply her pip will stop . She is in an anxious state . Her pip helps keep her car on the road as walking is difficult , she does have a blue badge to help with this . Can any of you advise please? Does she have to reapply ? Thankyou

This is all balderdash. State Pension is NOT classed as a 'benefit' and it has NOTHING to do with Universal Credit (UC).

UC is a blanket name to cover all former benefits such as Job Seekers' Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, etc.

The State Pension, or 'old age pension' as some people call it, is a separate financial fund and your friend paid into it all her working life through National Insurance Contributions. Read more about it here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-new-state-pension-explained/your-state-pension-explained

Won’t apply to any pensioner currently getting PIP. We will be put on indefinite or ten year (from date of award ) light touch review. Only have to report change of circumstances. Don’t be misled by the gutter press!

Sarahr

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there getting PIP but don't really qualify. It's those people that should have PIP stopped. Don't despair. Keep plugging on until you are sure you are getting your rightful payments.

Totally agree with you Sarahr I know of two people who get full PIP and there is no way they should get it, perfectly capable of doing everything for themselves. They walk their dog for miles do all their own shopping etc but suddenly need a walking stick or crutches when going to the doctors or benefit office Feel so sorry for the genuine people out there who really need it and struggle to get any help.

Is that universally true, about the "indefinite/10 year" PIP given to all above pension age? the person I know does, but I didnt know it was just for her or across the board.

Thank you for your reply

The problem is that it was being abused with thousand more applicants each year, I could claim £185 for having ADHD which I wouldn’t as I work, but they keep telling me to apply. People have no understanding of where the money comes from and it’s always those who most need it will miss out while the clever fraudsters will get through the net.

I am in agreement upto a point with the changes. I know at least two people who get the full lot and really shouldn’t be, if you can go on holiday, on your own to Asia for 3 weeks why do you need it. Also the cooking my daughter gets it, she can put the meal in the microwave but can’t take it out. How will that score. So confusing

I will be one affected by the new rules. At the moment it seems from 2026 it will be new claimants and reassessment and that is when mine will happen. As people have said the assessors report often varies greatly to what has been said at the assessment which as we know is extremely long. At my last one I was in so much pain I literally fainted and she had to stop for 10 minutes and give me water. I got 9 points in the end. I was actually given 2 points for something I said I had little problem with but didn't get 2 for something I had real difficulty with. Trying to prove you need help when your condition is extremely variable it is a nightmare. I might need alot of help for a whole week and then other times can struggle along for 3 days. Proving this is difficult. Also as others have found out if there is nothing the medical profession can do for your condition you might not have any proof of seeing a doctor or specialist for some time which seems to count a great deal.
I would miss the money as it has helped buy items which has made life easier but am lucky to have enough money to get by if I did lose it. My heart goes out to those who haven't and will really struggle. Many people with long term illnesses already have depression because of the toll the illness and pain has wrought on them. I dread to think what the extra stress of not knowing what exactly is going to happen will do to people.

Has anybody considered applying for an Attendance Allowance? As my mother would have said, it is 30+ pages of codswallop, and I took many weeks to do it, but I know the jargon, and I receive the higher amount. There are no interviews and with some illnesses/conditions, and you receive something automatically.

These can randomly include osteoarthritis, with or without a joint replacement, Macular Degeneration, and deafness.

If anybody wants help with the jargon, please get in touch.

You can google the AA form to see what has to be filled in.

Wyllow3

Is that universally true, about the "indefinite/10 year" PIP given to all above pension age? the person I know does, but I didnt know it was just for her or across the board.

No it isn't. I'm pension age and like most people with long term conditions, have a four year review. Also the new rules are not just for new claimants but for those when their review comes up as well.

The fraud rate for Pip is apparently 0.02% - it's negligible - because it's so hard to get accepted for. The mobility element doesn't seem to be affected, it's the daily living component. Some disabled people I read think it's to get pensioners off Pip and say they can claim attendance allowance instead (which is also a much higher bar I think). But that's confusing as if you're accepted for the mobility element then you're on Pip anyway....

Anyway it's more for others than myself. There are some really seriously disabled people who would lost the daily living component under the new rules and that halves the amount they receive - even if they still get the mobility element. Most people I think use the daily living component to help with mobility as well - whether it's for a carer or to buy additional aids.

You can actually get a Blue Badge without Pip but I think it's quite complicated to do so.

It's true there have been thousands more applications for it though and apparently that's since the pandemic - long covid and mental health issues I read. The new "test" is much more helpful for those with autism and learning difficulties though.

There are some people on "light touch" 10 year reviews but it maybe depends on their disability.

I'm not able to cut up food or chop vegetables and OH has to do it and then I fork it. But I didn't score anything for that because I was asked if I could cut up something soft (eg mashed potato) and I said yes. Who cuts up mashed potato?!