Universal Credit or PIP

CBL123

I’m in my late twenties and have never been employed. I also barely leave my house. I suffer with severe anxiety but have never received medical help for this. I’ve relied on my parents for financial support, but unfortunately, circumstances have changed recently.
Would I be eligible for PIP, or would I need to claim limited capability to work, Universal Credit? Obviously I know I’d need to contact my GP beforehand.

calcotti

They are not alternatives. You can claim both.

PIP is intended to provide extra money for those with a long term health condition that impacts their ability to do things. To understand how it is assessed see
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

UC is for anybody on a low income and can include extra money for those with a health condition that limits their ability to work.

Claim process for PIP is lengthy so it would be sensible to claim UC regardless of whether or not you claim PIP. To be assessed for LCW/LCWRA under UC you will need to declare your health condition when you claim supported by a Fit Note from your GP.

poppy12345

They are 2 completely different benefits and one doesn't affect the other, in a bad way. UC is means tested and PIP isn't. To claim UC and to start the work capability assessment process off you will need a fit note from your GP. When you claim UC you report your health condition and you will be referred for the WCA, which is usually from day 29. See link. https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit

You can start a claim for UC online. https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

PIP is a disability benefits that's award based on how your conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors. No fit note is needed for this. When filling out the form you need to put as much info as possible about how your conditions affect you and add a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Sending any relevant evidence with the form to support your claim.

An assessment will most likley be needed for both benefits.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

Do be aware that they very rare contact anyone for any evidence, the onus is on you to make sure you send it to support your claim.

CBL123

But would I need to be diagnosed with anxiety to claim PIP?

Spoonie_Turtle

CBL123 said:

I’m in my late twenties and have never been employed. I also barely leave my house. I suffer with severe anxiety but have never received medical help for this. I’ve relied on my parents for financial support, but unfortunately, circumstances have changed recently.
Would I be eligible for PIP, or would I need to claim limited capability to work, Universal Credit? Obviously I know I’d need to contact my GP beforehand.

You can claim both if you are eligible.  PIP is about how your health conditions affect your ability to do daily living activities, and the health element of Universal Credit is about how your conditions affect your ability to work.  PIP is not means-tested, the rates are purely based on whether you score enoufh points for difficulty.  UC is means-tested so your maximum allowance is based on your circumstances but takes into account any income and/or savings.  You will need a fit note from your GP to apply for the health element of UC (Limited Capability for Work / work-Related Activity, LCW or LCWRA) and have a Work Capability Assessment.

Pip info here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/

UC info: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/how-much-youll-get/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/will-i-need-a-work-capability-assessment-to-claim-benefits/how-do-i-fill-in-the-health-questionnaire/  (makes reference to ESA but the WCA is exactly the same for both ESA and UC)
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/will-i-need-a-work-capability-assessment-to-claim-benefits/health-questionnaire-points-explained/

It can be a lot of information to take in and understand if you've never investigated these things before.  UC might be the best one to apply for straight away because if you are eligible you will start getting paid 5 weeks after you submit the claim anyway, the WCA is to see if you qualify for the extra LCWRA element and whether you have to look for work.  PIP usually takes a lot longer and you may have to fight for the right decision.  (People sometimes have to fight for the right WCA decision too but even if that happens you'll still get the basic rate of UC.)

Edit: very much cross-posted there!

Alice_Holt

CBL123 said:

But would I need to be diagnosed with anxiety to claim PIP?

   No.

   But a claim with supporting medical evidence is more likely to succeed (at assessment) than one without.

   

elsien

You need to be able to evidence the impact that your illness (whatever the label) has on your daily life, and to be able to offer supporting evidence. Without that it’s going to be much harder to claim PIP. 

Are there any professionals involved with you at all who could support a claim? 

CBL123

Thanks for the responses - it is all a lot to take in. I’m not sure if I’ll get either, but I’m basically a recluse so hopefully that’ll go in my favour.

calcotti

CBL123 said:..I’m not sure if I’ll get either, ..

If you have no other income and do not have savings over £16,000 you will be eligible for UC. The health assessment is to determine whether you are entitled to extra money and whether you are expected to look for work.

poppy12345

Personally, i think the work capability assessment will be harder without medical evidence than PIP. I returned my daughters UC50 form about 6 weeks ago and i filled out the form with a lot of information about how her conditions affect her. Sent her ASD assessment report and another 2 reports from the learning disabilities team but a telephone assessment is still needed... shocking really but that's how it is. I've no idea what other information they could possibly need. I'll fight it all the way if i have to!