Does having Aspergers Syndrome qualify you for Disability Allowance 14 January 2018 at 11:46PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Disability Money Matters 8 replies 4.2K views

inglorius

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?

p00hsticks

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

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.

poppy12345

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

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

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.

BucksLady

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

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.

WorldTraveller_2

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.