Pip claim - ptsd, mental health

kaggy30

Hi all,

I have been advised to apply for PIP as I have been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

I have my claim form and I am getting myself in a bit of a state about it as the majority of it seems directed at those with physical disablilities. I have to be escorted to places I go to and majority of my daily living is spend indoors avoiding everything. I am also in debt but starting counselling next month.

Can anyone advise me how to answer the questions or send me some links where to get advice? My form is due to be sent back Tuesday and at the moment I feel like just leaving it as I don't know what to write on it.

Thank you

Diamandis

Phone and ask for more time and make an appointment with your local CAB who can help you complete it.

NeilCr

Agree with Diamandis.

Information on form filling here

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

poppy12345

kaggy30 wrote: »

Hi all,

I have been advised to apply for PIP as I have been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

I have my claim form and I am getting myself in a bit of a state about it as the majority of it seems directed at those with physical disablilities. I have to be escorted to places I go to and majority of my daily living is spend indoors avoiding everything. I am also in debt but starting counselling next month.

Can anyone advise me how to answer the questions or send me some links where to get advice? My form is due to be sent back Tuesday and at the moment I feel like just leaving it as I don't know what to write on it.

Thank you

Lot of people claim PIP for mental health issues. PIP isn't award based on a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you daily.

When filling out that form you need to write as much info as possible on how your condition affects you. Here's a guide for help with doing just that.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

You'll need to make sure you send in plenty of evidence to support your claim. They very rarely contact anyone for evidence. You can send anything from GP/Consultant letters, letter from someone that knows you well, diary written by yourself, list of all current medication, letter from Social Worker, anything like this.

If you need extra time to return that form DWP will give you an extra 14 days but you need to ring and ask for this.

Most people have a face 2 face assessment, as it's rare to have a paper based decision.

There's no time scales to a claims process, it all depends on backlog in your area. Good luck.

Alice_Holt

This is a useful site - but there is a membership fee of c.£20pa:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip

As poppy has suggested ring the DWP and request the 14 day extension.

This site may also be of use:
https://www.rethink.org/resources/p/personal-independence-payment-pip

"Things to remember when you answer the questions
Make a rough draft of your answers before writing on the form.
Always use the !!!8216;extra information!!!8217; boxes to explain exactly how
your illness affects you.
Do not feel you have to fit your answer into the box provided. You
can use the space at the end of the form or extra sheets of paper if
you need to.
If you use extra paper, add your name and National Insurance
number and staple it to the form securely.
Try to give clear, short explanations and examples that are relevant
to the activity.
Try to get professional evidence to back up what you are saying.
You do not have to get treatment or support to meet the criteria for
PIP. If you do not get all the support you need, think about how your
life could be improved if someone could encourage, help or prompt
you with the activity.

Think about if you can do each activity.
o Safely - Can you do the activity without causing danger to
yourself or someone else?
o Well enough - For example, you may be able to make a
meal, but you will not be able to eat it if it is undercooked.
o More than once - Can you repeat the activity as many times
as you need to?
o In a reasonable time - Does it take you more than twice the
amount of time to do the activity than it would take someone
without a disability?

To qualify for PIP, you need to show that you need help with the
activities on more than half the days in a year. Make it clear on the
form how often you have problems with the activities. ....."

From the rethink fact-sheet. You may find this helpful as it concentrates on PIP and mental health issues.

Alice_Holt

Basically - you may be looking at needing prompting for activities (such as preparing food, dressing, washing, etc) because of the depression.
Anxiety may impact on taking nutrition, engaging with people, dealing with household finances, planning and following journeys.

Wizardy18

Depression can't also mean you can't get out or don't go out unsupervised.

Incorrect to say only anxiety will affect journey planning etc Alice Holt.

Alice_Holt

Wizardy18 wrote: »

Depression can't also mean you can't get out or don't go out unsupervised.
.

Which is why I did not say only anxiety will affect the mobility Planning and Following Journeys descriptor.

Read my post again Wizardy18

BTW - You seem to have overdone the double negatives!!

[Deleted User]

It is often helpful to keep a diary for a week or so outlining how your problems affect you each day and send it with the forms.
Good luck

poppy12345

Diamandis wrote: »

Phone and ask for more time and make an appointment with your local CAB who can help you complete it.

There may not be time to ring CAB for their help with the forms at this late stage. Even if an extension of time was given. The OP states the forms need be returned by Tuesday.

CAB are almost always full to the brim and getting those appointments is like gold dust.

Ames

Also, to add to the excellent posts above, remember that it's about the help you need, not the help you get.

Would you get dressed if someone prompted you every day, but stay in pyjamas otherwise? Same with bathing, or eating.