PIP and ESA for aspies

DailyLife

Good Morning all, I'm currently claiming job seekers and housing benefit although I'm deeply deeply stressed at the moment and I have a women from ASD Health in Mind who helps me with practical things and she's highly recommended that I claim these benefits instead of JSA as it wll greatly help my situation. A little back story without boring everyone; I am living in shared accomodation because with the £63.50 it is all I can afford.

Living in shared accomodation causes me stress, anxiety and is becoming unbearable. Although I don't need any help living day to day she said that with PIP I can uses that to put towards my housing benefit so that I can afford a 1 bed flat or something for myself.

Does DWP accept this as a suitable "need" for PIP? I have a full psychiatric report outlining just how difficult it is for me to be around other people. Also I can't use public transport if other people are on the bus / train so I tend to get taxis wherever I go, this costs me quite a bit of money so again, how do they view this in regards to a "need"?

We're currently in the process of trying to get me a council flat but this is going to be a very lengthy process no doubt. Basically what is DWP's likely response for why I need the extra money from PIP?

Thanks for taking the time to read and please don't judge me, I wouldn't be claiming if I really felt I didn't need to.

Poppie68

DailyLife wrote: »

Good Morning all, I'm currently claiming job seekers and housing benefit although I'm deeply deeply stressed at the moment and I have a women from ASD Health in Mind who helps me with practical things and she's highly recommended that I claim these benefits instead of JSA as it wll greatly help my situation. A little back story without boring everyone; I am living in shared accomodation because with the £63.50 it is all I can afford.

Living in shared accomodation causes me stress, anxiety and is becoming unbearable. Although I don't need any help living day to day she said that with PIP I can uses that to put towards my housing benefit so that I can afford a 1 bed flat or something for myself.

Does DWP accept this as a suitable "need" for PIP? I have a full psychiatric report outlining just how difficult it is for me to be around other people. Also I can't use public transport if other people are on the bus / train so I tend to get taxis wherever I go, this costs me quite a bit of money so again, how do they view this in regards to a "need"?

We're currently in the process of trying to get me a council flat but this is going to be a very lengthy process no doubt. Basically what is DWP's likely response for why I need the extra money from PIP?

Thanks for taking the time to read and please don't judge me, I wouldn't be claiming if I really felt I didn't need to.

'Does DWP accept this as a suitable "need" for PIP ....

Er no.....PIP is given for care and mobility needs not for housing.

You could apply for PIP if you have a disability that has care needs or mobility problems. If you think your illness/condition fits the criteria you can apply but they are not going to give it to you because you get stressed living in shared accomadation and need more money to pay rent on a property.

BigAunty

Those under the age of 35 with low incomes have an entitlement to the shared housing rate of the Local Housing Allowance (HB) unless they are severely disabled, AFAIK. Another poster will confirm the exact entitlement to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA with regard to how this level of disability is defined. How old are you?

Someone who receives the shared rate of LHA can live in any size property they like but must make up the difference between the rent and their allowance from their other income (i.e. benefits or employment). The local council website or Shelter website will explain how LHA is calculated.

With regards to your application for social housing and your own 1 bed housing association/council property. Those with medical/health needs can get higher priority for it, but whether or not you get allocated any social housing property depends on local supply and demand - in some areas, most people on the waiting list will never get a property, in others there's more housing stock. See the Shelter or local council website for information on how social housing allocation operates. Your local social housing landlord(s) will have a document that explains how points/priority for housing are calculated and perhaps a general idea of how long it may take to secure a property in the band/points that you belong to.

Those that are too sick to work (no or low capability for employment) may be entitled to Employment Support Allowance rather than JSA. Those with care/mobility needs may have an entitlement to PIP. These are not based on diagnosis - the first examines capability to employment, the second to care/mobility needs. The Direct Gov website will explain how PIP and ESA works.

You have conflated your medical/health issues that are related to PIP/ESA with HB which is assessed on different criteria. You can use PIP to pay for whatever you want with it. If your current rent is higher than your LHA allowance, look into applying for Discretionary Housing Payment. Note that DHP isn't always given and is usually only temporary in nature if it is.

It is unwise to take on a more expensive place than the LHA with a new tenancy as there is a risk that you wouldn't get any DHP because you chose to move into a place that you couldn't afford from the outset.

DailyLife

BigAunty wrote: »

Those under the age of 35 with low incomes have an entitlement to the shared housing rate of the Local Housing Allowance (HB) unless they are severely disabled, AFAIK. Another poster will confirm the exact entitlement to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA with regard to how this level of disability is defined. How old are you?

Someone who receives the shared rate of LHA can live in any size property they like but must make up the difference between the rent and their allowance from their other income (i.e. benefits or employment). The local council website or Shelter website will explain how LHA is calculated.

With regards to your application for social housing and your own 1 bed housing association/council property. Those with medical/health needs can get higher priority for it, but whether or not you get allocated any social housing property depends on local supply and demand - in some areas, most people on the waiting list will never get a property, in others there's more housing stock. See the Shelter or local council website for information on how social housing allocation operates. Your local social housing landlord(s) will have a document that explains how points/priority for housing are calculated and perhaps a general idea of how long it may take to secure a property in the band/points that you belong to.

Those that are too sick to work (no or low capability for employment) may be entitled to Employment Support Allowance rather than JSA. Those with care/mobility needs may have an entitlement to PIP. These are not based on diagnosis - the first examines capability to employment, the second to care/mobility needs. The Direct Gov website will explain how PIP and ESA works.

You have conflated your medical/health issues that are related to PIP/ESA with HB which is assessed on different criteria. You can use PIP to pay for whatever you want with it. If your current rent is higher than your LHA allowance, look into applying for Discretionary Housing Payment. Note that DHP isn't always given and is usually only temporary in nature if it is.

It is unwise to take on a more expensive place than the LHA with a new tenancy as there is a risk that you wouldn't get any DHP because you chose to move into a place that you couldn't afford from the outset.

I'm 25. I am so socially awkward and suffer from anxiety and stress I can't possibly work. I've only ever had one job sinse leaving school and that was in sainsburys as a shelf filler and I got sacked after 3 months. The problem is living in shared accomodation is detrimental to my health and directly affects my mental state.

The money for PIP can be used to aid your day to day living and to make sure you're living an independant life? Well I think my mental state is taking a battering at the moment due to my living situation.

I am soon to be on the housing list either in band A or B but even my health worker said it will still take time.

pmlindyloo

Since your support worker is recommending that you apply for ESA and PIP then you should do so as she will be aware of your 'needs' and will be able to help you complete the forms.


If you are awarded PIP at either rate of the daily living component then this will entitle you to the one bed rate of housing benefit (local housing allowance).


You can 'google' ESA and PIP and have a look at the criteria for eligibility.

BigAunty

DailyLife wrote: »

The problem is living in shared accomodation is detrimental to my health and directly affects my mental state.

The money for PIP can be used to aid your day to day living and to make sure you're living an independant life? Well I think my mental state is taking a battering at the moment due to my living situation.

I am soon to be on the housing list either in band A or B but even my health worker said it will still take time.

I believe you and appreciate what you are saying.



Read up on the assessment process/criteria for these two benefits to understand what they are specifically going to look at and how people qualify for them. Read them for what they are rather than clouded by your understandable desire to live alone.

You are quite free to use your PIP and ESA to top up the difference between the rent on a 1 bedroom private property and the lesser LHA you receive. Your HB is bound to cover the rent on a social housing property in full so long as it is a 1 bedroom property (social housing tenants with spare bedrooms lose a percentage of their HB).

What you need to do is download the MSE budget planner and work out if you can afford to cover any extra expenses.

What you also need to find out is whether or not by moving to your own place with a private tenancy in the interim you will reduce your social housing banding. In other words, whether or not you get a high priority solely because of your health issues or whether it is the fact that you are currently in a share that is causing your health issues and if you no longer share, will this means you are no longer a priority for re-housing by the council. Your support worker or the social housing landlord's allocation guide document can help you understand this.

The reason why you may have to wait sometime for a social housing property, however urgent you feel your case is, is because nationally there is a social housing shortage and high demand, with some areas in particular that are acutely short of vacant social housing properties and huge demand. The council might have dozens, if not hundreds of tenants in high housing need due to homelessness or medical conditions, while very few properties become available.

When_the_going_gets_tough

Excellent advice from Big Aunty. Op do get someone to assist you in completing the ESA and PIP forms as they need to be fully filled in to maximise your chances of getting the benefit.

DailyLife

BigAunty wrote: »

I believe you and appreciate what you are saying.



Read up on the assessment process/criteria for these two benefits to understand what they are specifically going to look at and how people qualify for them. Read them for what they are rather than clouded by your understandable desire to live alone.

You are quite free to use your PIP and ESA to top up the difference between the rent on a 1 bedroom private property and the lesser LHA you receive. Your HB is bound to cover the rent on a social housing property in full so long as it is a 1 bedroom property (social housing tenants with spare bedrooms lose a percentage of their HB).

What you need to do is download the MSE budget planner and work out if you can afford to cover any extra expenses.

What you also need to find out is whether or not by moving to your own place with a private tenancy in the interim you will reduce your social housing banding. In other words, whether or not you get a high priority solely because of your health issues or whether it is the fact that you are currently in a share that is causing your health issues and if you no longer share, will this means you are no longer a priority for re-housing by the council. Your support worker or the social housing landlord's allocation guide document can help you understand this.

The reason why you may have to wait sometime for a social housing property, however urgent you feel your case is, is because nationally there is a social housing shortage and high demand, with some areas in particular that are acutely short of vacant social housing properties and huge demand. The council might have dozens, if not hundreds of tenants in high housing need due to homelessness or medical conditions, while very few properties become available.

Thank you for your great advice and I understand that the waiting list can be quite lengthy which is why my main priority is to get out of this house by any means necessary. Although it doesn't carry any security like a council place would but I don't care about that at the moment.

My main priority is to just get some place where I don't come into contact with other people.

jacques_chirac

DailyLife wrote: »

Thank you for your great advice and I understand that the waiting list can be quite lengthy which is why my main priority is to get out of this house by any means necessary. Although it doesn't carry any security like a council place would but I don't care about that at the moment.

My main priority is to just get some place where I don't come into contact with other people.

Is your support worker helping you with managing your anxieties? Shutting yourself off from the world is not a long term solution to your problems.

DailyLife

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Is your support worker helping you with managing your anxieties? Shutting yourself off from the world is not a long term solution to your problems.

No, she is only for practical support and I do not have a psychiatrist. I'm 25 years old and from as young as I can remember I always coped best with shutting myself off from the world.

wildwestfan

DailyLife wrote: »

No, she is only for practical support and I do not have a psychiatrist. I'm 25 years old and from as young as I can remember I always coped best with shutting myself off from the world.

You will need evidence from Health Care professional to have a chance of being awarded PIP or ESA. Or even social housing on medical grounds.

What treatment do you receive for your problems?