Centre member and trustee Ros Hatt has shared the following useful information on completing forms;
Be it for PIP (Personal Independence Payment), Blue Badge, ESA (Employment Support Allowance) etc., the claim forms can be daunting.
But, did you know guidance is available to assist you when completing them? On the PIP form, you might say YES, you can walk 50m… but can you do so safely? Repeatedly? In a reasonable time compared to someone without a disability? See, it isn’t a simple Yes or No response.
Utilise the support available out there from those who know how the forms are reviewed and how you should best explain your circumstances.
- MS Society – MS Benefits Advice Service offers free advice to people affected by MS call 0808 800 8000 or email msbenefitsadvice@dls.org.uk
- Citizens Advice – Adviceline (England): 0808 278 7819 or visit www.citizensadvicereading.org
- Communicare – email office@communicare.org.uk and 0118 9263941
Please note, the MS Specialist Nurses are not available to complete forms with you – they request that you contact one of the services mentioned above.
And my advice? Avoid Yes/No replies – use “sometimes”, or “it depends/varies”. MS is unpredictable and uncertain after all!
Ros Hatt
