We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Does having Aspergers Syndrome qualify you for Disability Allowance

Options
I was diagnosed with Aspergers about 2 years ago, would I qualify for any disability benefits from the government or is this just for people with severe physical or mental handicaps?

Comments

  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,412 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    inglorius wrote: »
    I was diagnosed with Aspergers about 2 years ago, would I qualify for any disability benefits from the government or is this just for people with severe physical or mental handicaps?

    PIP (Personal Independence Allowance), which has replaced DLA (Disability Living Allowance) is awarded based on how your day to day life is affected by your disability, not on the grounds of a diagnosis of a specific condition.

    So you need to look at how Aspergers affects you using the PIP criteria

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    p00hsticks wrote: »
    PIP (Personal Independence Allowance), which has replaced DLA (Disability Living Allowance) is awarded based on how your day to day life is affected by your disability, not on the grounds of a diagnosis of a specific condition.

    So you need to look at how Aspergers affects you using the PIP criteria

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

    I agree with this, but also see if the NAS has any guides to PIP. The descriptors aren't as straightforward as they seem, and someone with Aspergers in particular might struggle with the nuances.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,879 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I agree with the above posts. I'd advice you to do this quick PIP self test, this will give you some understanding of the descriptors and points scoring. If you do score points, it's just a guide and doesn't mean that's what you'll score during an assessment. You'll allso need evidence to prove the descriptor apply to you.

    http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php
  • inglorius
    inglorius Posts: 158 Forumite
    I've just tried the online test, I scored 2 points maximum which is nowhere near the threshold for consideration. I guess does that mean my disability doesn't count in the government's eyes.
  • tomtom256
    tomtom256 Posts: 2,249 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    inglorius wrote: »
    I've just tried the online test, I scored 2 points maximum which is nowhere near the threshold for consideration. I guess does that mean my disability doesn't count in the government's eyes.

    No it doesn't mean you do not have a disability, just that you cannot claim any money for said disability.
  • inglorius wrote: »
    I was diagnosed with Aspergers about 2 years ago, would I qualify for any disability benefits from the government or is this just for people with severe physical or mental handicaps?

    Asperger's Syndrome is a spectrum condition and so affects people differently. Whether someone would qualify for benefits would depend upon the severity of the condition.
  • w06
    w06 Posts: 917 Forumite
    inglorius wrote: »
    I've just tried the online test, I scored 2 points maximum which is nowhere near the threshold for consideration. I guess does that mean my disability doesn't count in the government's eyes.


    No it doesn't mean the government, or anybody else, doesn't count your disability.

    The assessment looks at which areas you need help with (if you're talking about PIP) rather than the diagnosis and everyone has to reach a threshold of need, according to the assessment, before they're entitled to PIP.
  • It all depends on which aspects of everyday life you struggle with, whether you need support with some things etc. Many people diagnosed with Asperger's need very little, if any, extra support in terms of being able to look after themselves, go to work etc. Other people may need a lot more support. As autism is such a spectrum each person is different, especially now that many professionals are not giving the Asperger's diagnosis any more in favour of the more general ASD.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.