Forgive this literary reference, it just comes to my mind when I think of the subject of, yes you guessed it, PIP!
Personal, Independence Payment. My only advice on this topic, if you don’t have it, haven’t applied ever, apply for it now, right now, no hesitating!
It is not means tested and so it is not linked to your household income, if you are chronically unwell you are entitled to this. It is like a golden ticket, it opens doors to other benefits and support, mostly it gives you a sense of validation and helps with acceptence.
I have learned this from experience, I have been the proud person, in denial and always thinking I will get back to a career in teaching, that I can earn enough money part time and I don’t need it. It’s simply not true, if you are ill, you are entitled, it’s that straight forward.
Do not be put off by the system, ring the number and your claim starts from that date. Use the Citizens Advice Bureau if you can, they can do it all with you, it’s more difficult now, they are only doing online and phone support since Covid, but do not be put off. Other agencies, can help also.
My first and second claim were turned down and it was 10 years after my first claim that I was awarded this support. I regret waiting so long, during this time I struggled on with only health benefits, raising a child while ill and alone and frankly I could not afford to heat the house never mind walk around one supermarket and buy what we needed and have a taxi home. I am unable to drive, for those of you who are car dependent there is the Motability scheme attached to PIP also, I have no experience of this and so can’t advise.
I heated the house only when my child was home, all day through winter months I would wear hat gloves and sleep under numerous blankets and quilts. This condition requires warmth and warm air, my PIP award felt like a gift from the universe, I put the heating on, for me, just for me and cried at how little value I had in the world. This financial support has changed my life and our household, it validated my condition with the recognition that I am classed as being in need of help. It allows me to pay for help at home, from garden work to cleaning, whatever we need within reason.
With this magic letter I claimed a free bus pass, now that I could afford to pay the bus fare, I don’t need to, this in itself has been a major help, now I jump on and off from one stop to twenty. I sit in the priority seats, the first you come to, with confidence, I have a disabled toilet pass key, I call myself disabled and embrace myself. No more the vicious fight within; someone has assessed my symptoms and condition and has decided I am entitled to help, what a huge turn in my tide, I am no longer, undeserving, malingering poor, that Dickens shone a light on in a cruel and misunderstanding Victorian era. I am in need and supported, deserving of the status and money this award brings.
So don’t be me, if you don’t have it already get that application done, if you are refused at first, appeal that decision, keep going until you get it. Your illness has already made you disabled, this award merely supports you as you deserve.
Go for it and expect great things in life.
Chris.xx
The literary reference is of course, the character Pip, from Dickens’ ‘Great expectations’.
Living With ME 