My PIP (Personal Independence Payment) application was successful! I’m as surprised about this as anyone else.

Surprised not because I’m not eligible (I am) or deserving (who can say) but because a lot of people have difficulties with the system and many have to fight far more fiercely than they should. It all went very smoothly for me (although I can’t pretend it wasn’t stressful).

PIP requires an assessment, which is carried out by an independent private company. Of course, the company does not have the same goals as the applicant and does not have our best interests in mind. Presumably they have such things as targets, and keeping the number of successful claimants low has to figure in to their decision-making process somehow. This has led to a lot of people who need help not getting it, which is shameful. PIP will greatly enhance my life and will put me on a more level playing field with the able-bodied, but I’ve no doubt that there are people who need it more but have been confused, intimidated or conned by the application process.

My success is probably due in part to COVID. It meant my assessment was carried out by phone rather than in person. This has as many drawbacks as benefits, but I think it makes preparation a little easier. It also cuts down the bandwidth: I’ve heard stories of people being told that looking cheerful during the assessment counted against them. I do have a lot of experience of applying for (mostly academic research) grants, though, which I’m sure must have helped.

Anyway, I was awarded PIP at the Enhanced Level, which means I can use the Motability scheme to lease an adapted car. This (usually) takes up the whole of the PIP payment, but it’s definitely a very good deal. I understand the scheme in principle, but I’m just starting to learn about it in practice, so more on that later.

If you have good or bad experiences with PIP, let me know. You can find out more about it here and I’ll answer any questions I can about the application process.

As always, take a look at my fundraising page. I’m doing wheelchair half marathons (hopefully three this year, plus sundry 10k events) to raise money for nia, a women-led, women-only, secular, rights-based registered charity which has been delivering services to women, girls and children who have been subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution, since 1975.