Advisability of applying for PIP

Stoodles

An advocate helping with my ESA application suggested I also apply for PIP. At the time I disregarded it as being for people with "real" disabilities, not the mental health problems I have. I also thought that although we have lost more than half our income now I can't work, we manage financially, so claiming would be unreasonable. We are lucky to have a low mortgage, and now that I rarely leave the house and never socialise, our outgoings have dropped massively.

I've finally got what seems to be an accurate diagnosis and have joined an online support group for my condition while I wait for the NHS to decide what to do. Several people there have mentioned they get PIP and use it to pay for private therapy. I have two questions, one precise and one woolly

Is it allowed to use PIP payments for this? For a year I received a Personal Budget from the County Council, and it specified that it could not be used for anything the NHS could provide. IS PIP different?

The woolly bit is about the impact on me. I'm not sure if the potential benefit outweighs the distress and disturbance from having to note, remember and admit that, for instance, I have days when I stand looking at the cooker, thinking "I turned this on, I must know how to turn it off" and eventually give up and walk away. Any comments? I've been put into ESA support group three times now, but each time the application process has knocked me back hard.

poppy12345

Stoodles wrote: »

An advocate helping with my ESA application suggested I also apply for PIP. At the time I disregarded it as being for people with "real" disabilities, not the mental health problems I have. I also thought that although we have lost more than half our income now I can't work, we manage financially, so claiming would be unreasonable. We are lucky to have a low mortgage, and now that I rarely leave the house and never socialise, our outgoings have dropped massively.

I've finally got what seems to be an accurate diagnosis and have joined an online support group for my condition while I wait for the NHS to decide what to do. Several people there have mentioned they get PIP and use it to pay for private therapy. I have two questions, one precise and one woolly

Is it allowed to use PIP payments for this? For a year I received a Personal Budget from the County Council, and it specified that it could not be used for anything the NHS could provide. IS PIP different?

The woolly bit is about the impact on me. I'm not sure if the potential benefit outweighs the distress and disturbance from having to note, remember and admit that, for instance, I have days when I stand looking at the cooker, thinking "I turned this on, I must know how to turn it off" and eventually give up and walk away. Any comments? I've been put into ESA support group three times now, but each time the application process has knocked me back hard.

Firstly PIP isn't about a diagnosis it's about how your condition/s affect you in daily life. If you need help in cooking/preparing a meal, washing, dressing/undressing, going out, budgeting etc then you could get PIP. You would need evidence to support your claim. This could be anything from Consultant reports, GP letters, Scans, Letter from someone that knows you well, Occupational Therpist reports or even a diary from yourself.
Secondly if you were successful the money from it can be used for anything you want to use it for. To start a claim off ring PIP helpline, answer a few short questions and they'll send you the form. I would advice you to get help with filling it in. Return it before the date on the letter and if succesful your money will be backdated to the date you rang them.

NeilCr

Some information on the PIP descriptors here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/fill-in-form/

It may give you a steer

Good luck

[Deleted User]

PIP is about care and or mobility issues you have and to provide money to help with the additional expense of these problems, It is yours do to with as you please if you are awarded it.
If I were you I would apply perhaps getting some help from CAB or simlar.

Ames

Yes, you can use PIP to pay for private therapy, you can use it for anything you want.

But if you're getting direct payments from the council they will probably want to take a large part of the PIP money (possibly all of it) as a contribution to the cost of the care they're providing.

Stoodles

Thanks for your replies. I've looked at the descriptors, and think on bad days I'd certainly meet them. Do you know the likelihood of having a medical. ESA have only seen me face to face once, which was a huge relief.

So far as evidence goes, I have consultants letters describing my condition and symptoms - like amnesia and lost time - and a detailed letter from a psychologist describing the day to day impact of these that she kindly wrote to support the last ESA renewal. It is harder for me to recall and describe them myself, both because of the amnesia and because I'd really rather avoid thinking about what I've become.

I'm not getting direct payments from the council any more- that was a one off to fund a particular service that no longer exists. It makes some sense though of why the woman who came to do the financial part of that assessment also suggested I apply for PIP.

Mrscoombes03

Hi

I have MH (PTSD, Anxiety and depression) problems and have just been awarded PIP.

the assessor deemed I was perfectly capable of dealing with life, however i appealed and won.

Hope that gives you more confidence

poppy12345

Stoodles wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I've looked at the descriptors, and think on bad days I'd certainly meet them. Do you know the likelihood of having a medical. ESA have only seen me face to face once, which was a huge relief.

So far as evidence goes, I have consultants letters describing my condition and symptoms - like amnesia and lost time - and a detailed letter from a psychologist describing the day to day impact of these that she kindly wrote to support the last ESA renewal. It is harder for me to recall and describe them myself, both because of the amnesia and because I'd really rather avoid thinking about what I've become.

I'm not getting direct payments from the council any more- that was a one off to fund a particular service that no longer exists. It makes some sense though of why the woman who came to do the financial part of that assessment also suggested I apply for PIP.

Most have face to face assessments, there are some that haven't needed them. I would say be prepared for one.

Stoodles

Just an update on this - I have just heard that I have been awarded Enhanced for both Living and Mobility, for 6 years. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to apply.

I can't begin to describe the difference it makes to know that the specialist therapy I need is guaranteed now, instead of depending on an underfunded and overstretched NHS service.