Working Carers and claiming PIP.....

Slida

[FONT=&quot]Hi all,

Looking for some insight into the details surrounding PIP applications.

A long term health condition I have had for over twelve years has been getting worse and worse for the past six months or more. My abilities have reduced steadily and I'm finding myself struggling more and more with things I would have found fairly easy a few years back.

As a result of my increasing struggles and decreasing mobility, I've been advised to try applying for PIP. Issue is, I'm a carer, paid both privately (through the books, not cash in hand) to help care for a relative and paid through an agency as a "personal assistant" for a couple of other people. The physical demands of the caring roles are undoubtedly what has lead to my symptoms getting worse due, and I so know I'm coming to the end of the road on my career as a carer.

I don't want to stop working, at least not if I can help it. Ultimately I can't afford to stop working right now, as I'm not a well paid carer. I know you can claim PIP and still work, and still claim it and get Carer's Allowance. However, I'm concerned about a few things and wondered if someone could shed a bit of light for me.

- Do the DWP ask if you're working? And would they be able to find out what I do for a job?

My concern is, if they saw I was working as a carer (obviously a fairly physical job) it would count against my application? They probably wouldn't take into consideration that because I'm caring for disabled people, I'm able to use their disability aids to help myself do the job. (I mean, I'm even having to shower at my relatives place now, as some days I can't get into my own shower over the bath safely.)

- Would they be able to see who I work for?

My concern is (particularly with my relative) if the DWP saw their carer was having notable difficulties enough to warrant getting PIP, would this impact on their PIP claim at all?

- Do the DWP share information with the local council etc, when deciding on PIP applications?

I ask this because all the people I care for have their care funded through the local authority, I obviously don't want to risk jeopardizing that for them in any way by showing I'm struggling myself. I'm sure it would fall under discrimination to pull me out of the caring role, as long as I'm able to provide the required standard of care for people, which I can still do, with the help of certain aids. But I do worry how my admitting I'm struggling (and have been for a while) would impact on their own claims.

I really don't want to have to quit doing what I've done for the past thirty years, I know if I stop fighting my condition will deteriorate. And I'm a bit long in the tooth to retrain and it's unlikely that when you've only been a carer that there's any other career out there at this point, but there's no getting past the fact I'm struggling physically more and more as time goes on, so I will obviously have to give it up eventually, especially when I can't provide the required standard of care anymore, but I want to hang in there as long possible.

2016/17 I helped people through the application/interview process so I know how they're looking for any excuse to avoid providing financial support to a lot of people. I doubt they'll even deem me eligible but anything extra would be a big help as I'm needing to buy aids and adapt my own home to meet my own increasing needs now, and obviously without PIP being in place I won't be able to get any support of my own for those kind of things.

Any help or insight would be a big help. Thanks all. [/FONT]

poppy12345

PIP is awarded based on how your conditions affect you, rather than a diagnosis. As you say people do work and claim PIP providing the work you do doesn't contradict your reasons for your PIP claim then it shouldn't go against you.

Carers Allowance isn't claimed by yourself. It's a benefit claimed by someone that cares for you for at least 35 hours per week and the money is paid to them, not yourself.

Complete this PIP self test http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php to see what you could possibly score, it's purely a guide and an award will depend on how your conditions affect you. Whether those PIP descriptors apply to you and the evidence you send. They rarely contact anyone for evidence so don't rely on this.

More info here about filling out the form.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

Slida

Thanks for the info, Poppy!

I've taken the test. The results say I'd qualify for the standard daily living and standard mobility. Obviously no guarantees the DWP would actually agree, and I guess wording/evidencing things to convince them of your struggles is a whole different matter.

I worry my work would contradict my claim, but like I said in the main post, I can do my job okay, I'm just starting to need aids (kettle tipper/chunky cutlery/grabbers/hoists/grab rails/chairs etc) to do it. Which is what their asking, and what seem to qualify people as eligible, at least for the lower points, so I think I've got a reasonable case for applying. My worry is just how the application/award would impact on my working but I guess it's a bit of a niche situation to know for sure.

Thanks again for the advice.

poppy12345

As you're claiming for a physical disability and you work as a carer then it will totally depend on the work you do. If the people you care for have physical disabilities too then yes this may well be a contradiction. Stating that you have difficulties with cooking, washing, dressing, and mobility, yet the work you do means you help those that are unable to do this for their self, if you see what I mean. If this is the sort of carer you are then you may well have difficulties convincing them you have difficulties yourself. Others will give their view, im sure.

pmlindyloo

poppy12345 wrote: »

As you're claiming for a physical disability and you work as a carer then it will totally depend on the work you do. If the people you care for have physical disabilities too then yes this may well be a contradiction. Stating that you have difficulties with cooking, washing, dressing, and mobility, yet the work you do means you help those that are unable to do this for their self, if you see what I mean. If this is the sort of carer you are then you may well have difficulties convincing them you have difficulties yourself. Others will give their view, im sure.

I have to agree with these comments.

It might be useful for you to read this:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-1-the-assessment-process

particularly the section about Employment (quite a long way down)

You will be asked about your daily life and possibly about your employment.

It is possible that the work you do whilst caring will conflict with your claim under certain descriptors.

I also wonder if caring is the most suitable employment for you. Of course it may well be that your caring does not involve anything that conflicts with your claim but from what you have said this does appear to be the case.

PIP claim aside I am wondering if this type of care role is the most suitable employment for you particularly as you say it is worsening your condition(s)

Have you explored other kinds of employment which does not require such physically demanding work (as seems to be the case)?

I am trying to be realistic here. Have you tried speaking to the agency to see if there are less demanding roles or do they all require physical work?

I am not trying to put you off claiming but do think this may not be that straightforward.