MSE News: Revealed: Councils overcharging 10,000s who are severely mentally impaired

BorisThomson

Greenforgo wrote: »

I have Bipolar 2, rapid cycle, mixed episode. Regardless of the term BP "2" which makes it sound like a lesser form of BP1, this is not what it actually signifies. Generally with BP2, regardless of the fact that the manic episodes are not quite as elevated, hence the term hypomanic, the depressions are just as severe. People with BP2 experience shorter spells of "highs" ("high" being another misnomer) and lows with shorter spells in-between. Because I have rapid cycle BP2 this means that the nature of my episodes can change on a monthly, weekly or, when it is extreme, daily basis. On top of that, I experience mixed episodes which means that I can be experiencing high and low symptoms simultaneously or in very rapid succession. Anyone who has experienced this will tell you just how confusing, frightening and debilitating this is. A lot of the time I can't make out just where I am on the bipolar mood scale. I find it difficult to maintain work (and believe me, I am far from a lazy person), A lot of the time I find it difficult to be around people, whether it be because I am fearful when in a hypomanic state of upsetting or alienating people or, when in a depressive state just not wanting to be a burden on those around me, consequently I spend an unhealthy amount of time on my own. The more people take the time to understand just how debilitating Bipolar actually is the more it will be accepted as falling under the category of SMI which according to every government endorsed mental health organisation it is. Under British law Bipolar Disorder is considered to be a high risk serious mental impairment illness. That is the fact of the matter.

You're missing the point entirely. SMI in this context is strictly defined, and bipolar alone does not satisfy that definition.

(And I do appreciate how debilitating it is, because I have the condition myself.)

Greenforgo

I wasn't questioning your experience with the condition, Boris. I have just made a claim for ESA, housing support and council tax benefits. For the council tax rebate and refund I had fill out an SMI form. I have been accepted on all three counts and. as I said, I 'only' suffer from BP2, rapid cycle, mixed episode.
I too can only talk from experience

BorisThomson wrote: »

You're missing the point entirely. SMI in this context is strictly defined, and bipolar alone does not satisfy that definition.

(And I do appreciate how debilitating it is, because I have the condition myself.)

BorisThomson

Greenforgo wrote: »

I wasn't questioning your experience with the condition, Boris. I have just made a claim for ESA, housing support and council tax benefits. For the council tax rebate and refund I had fill out an SMI form. I have been accepted on all three counts and. as I said, I 'only' suffer from BP2, rapid cycle, mixed episode.
I too can only talk from experience

Your first post made generalisations about bipolar disorder and the SMI entitlement which are incorrect.

Your intellectual capability is far beyond that of someone with a severe impairment of intelligence.

Some councils are lax in evidential standards when awarding the SMI exemption. I'm glad you've received the benefits you feel you are entitled to.

Greenforgo

I did describe a general over view of bipolar (and I'm sorry if that upset your sensibilities) but I didn't feel that I needed to quote from my journal. I am responding to the comment "Bipolar isn't an SMI" and if my GP and my Psychiatrist agree with each other that it is, and they do which is what prompted me to make the claim in the first place,then who wouldn't go for it?

My intellectual capacity might well be ok but my ability to function wholly for long periods of time is not. And I'm not missing the point at all, what you are saying contrasts to my own experience so I am expressing my view.

I'm also glad that I am receiving the benefits I "feel I'm entitled to. If you don't "feel" you are entitled to them then don't bother making a claim.
As for whether Bipolar is or isn't a SMI maybe you could check out the England NHS uk website

BorisThomson wrote: »

Your first post made generalisations about bipolar disorder and the SMI entitlement which are incorrect.

Your intellectual capability is far beyond that of someone with a severe impairment of intelligence.

Some councils are lax in evidential standards when awarding the SMI exemption. I'm glad you've received the benefits you feel you are entitled to.

marliepanda

SMI is given on the basis that those with severe mental impairments have such impct on their intelligence that they cannot understand what or who they are voting for in terms of local elections, therefore do not get their say on what council tax is spent on and therefore do not have to pay council tax.

I imagine if I told someone with bipolar they were too mentally impaired to know who they wanted to vote for Id not be received well.

BorisThomson

Greenforgo wrote: »

I did describe a general over view of bipolar (and I'm sorry if that upset your sensibilities) but I didn't feel that I needed to quote from my journal. I am responding to the comment "Bipolar isn't an SMI" and if my GP and my Psychiatrist agree with each other that it is, and they do which is what prompted me to make the claim in the first place,then who wouldn't go for it?

My intellectual capacity might well be ok but my ability to function wholly for long periods of time is not. And I'm not missing the point at all, what you are saying contrasts to my own experience so I am expressing my view.

I'm also glad that I am receiving the benefits I "feel I'm entitled to. If you don't "feel" you are entitled to them then don't bother making a claim.
As for whether Bipolar is or isn't a SMI maybe you could check out the England NHS uk website

You haven't upset my sensitivities. I'm happy to point out your misinformation so as not to mislead others looking for help.

For council tax purposes, the definition of severe mental impairment is set out in my earlier post. I don't need to check out the NHS UK website because it is irrelevant to this thread.

(In the hope that it resolves any misunderstanding, here is the relevant law.)

Greenforgo

Actually, in this case I was responding to Boris' comment that bipolar isn't an SMI

Penitent wrote: »

Actually, the comment you first responded to didn't even mention bipolar disorder. They were talking about folk with relatively mild mental illnesses.

Greenforgo

I wouldn't call the fact I am getting these benefits a misunderstanding.

Anyway Boris, thank you for the educational exchange and good luck with your none claim

BorisThomson wrote: »

You haven't upset my sensitivities. I'm happy to point out your misinformation so as not to mislead others looking for help.

For council tax purposes, the definition of severe mental impairment is set out in my earlier post. I don't need to check out the NHS UK website because it is irrelevant to this thread.

(In the hope that it resolves any misunderstanding,

SandraScarlett

I am so angry that people are still being denied this reduction, due to the fact that their carers don't know about it. And why some councils back date for several years, and others don't, is totally wrong and yet another example of a postcode lottery.


When my late DH had Alzheimer's, and was doubly incontinent, I had a lengthy battle before he was supplied with incontinence pants, spending £15 a week on them myself. My LA would only supply pads, which are not always suitable for a mobile adult.


And yet other LAs supply pads or pants, no problem. I know people think that family members should apply for things, but often, especially with older folk, the primary carer is usually their spouse, who are themselves old, worn out, exhausted and unaware of what is available.


It was only by browsing this site, in the wee small hours, having been woken again, and unable to get back to sleep, that I found out about the CT discount. I've never seen it advertised anywhere.

John-K_3

Greenforgo wrote: »

Wrong. Bipolar is classed as SMI. It is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world and the third most debilitating mental illness worldwide. Also, your tone seems to suggest that everyone who seeks state help is "taking the urine". Can I ask if you yourself suffer with any type of MH issues?

You have to wilfully misread the post to take that line, are you just looking for a fight?

The post to which you referred mentioned the problem that it could cause for genuine claimants, so how on Earth can you take from that that everyone who asks for help should not be?