Claiming benefits for the first time. Advise needed please.

[mod]

On tuesday the benefits office said someone will call me back within 24 hours interview / chat to see what im entitled to claim for. No one called so i just called them
again and was told id be called today. let’s see. but i can see this process is gonna be a drag and quite painful.

Had a mini result yesterday. was chatting to my very good mate in berlin and bemoaning the fact i’m starting to get fed up sitting in my flat most of the at looking for jobs and trying to sort out the stuff we are discussing.

He runs his own winter sauna business which started up last week and said ‘come and work for me for a few days’ Half joking. checked easy jet and 3 days wages from him more than covered the flights and il take the 4th day off to visit some of my fav old haunts (berlin is home from home). And gets me out of here for 4 days. Plus i’ll be staying at his for free. Touch.

 

[LakieLady]

My advice is don't attempt to complete the form all at once. It can be a soul destroying experience due to the way things need to be be worded. Especially don't be all 'stiff upper lip' about soldiering on, it won't help you meet the criteria for the payment - you need to think in terms of your worst day and also bear in mind if you did push through, what would be the physical/mental cost to you on the following days?

The test for PIP is how you are the majority of the time, not "worst" days (that was DLA).

This is why PIP assessors (and appeal tribunals) always ask how many days a week you're unable to do something.

 

[Silas Loom]

The test for PIP is how you are the majority of the time, not "worst" days (that was DLA).

This is why PIP assessors (and appeal tribunals) always ask how many days a week you're unable to do something.

True, but you should still consider what you are able to do safely, reliably and repeatedly, rather than as a one-off that may screw you the next day.

 

[equationgirl]

The test for PIP is how you are the majority of the time, not "worst" days (that was DLA).

This is why PIP assessors (and appeal tribunals) always ask how many days a week you're unable to do something.

Plus the 'stiff upper lip' attitude does not get anyone awarded anything they need because they're coping, so clearly they don't need that PIP component.