Am I entitled to PIP due to not being able to socialize? (I think not, but just checking).

Kris35

Hi all. I'm on UC because of my severe migraines and mental health. I've not had a holiday in 30 years and I never had children because of my migraines. However, the socializing part of me is weird and I don't think I can get PIP because of it. I've never met anyone who has what I have; basically I can't let anyone get to know me so I live my life totally alone. My contact list on my phone is vets and emergency vets. Whenever if have to fill out a next of kin field, I have absolutely no one. However, I can talk to people maybe once or twice before I avoid. So, the last ten New Years Eve and Christmases alone etc. I can talk to officials, I think because they are being paid to deal with me so I feel I have some worth to them. With my migraines, they are mornings so I can feed and clothe myself later on in the day. Does anyone know if PIP is available to someone like me?

MattMattMattUK

Kris35 said:

Hi all. I'm on UC because of my severe migraines and mental health. I've not had a holiday in 30 years and I never had children because of my migraines. However, the socializing part of me is weird and I don't think I can get PIP because of it. I've never met anyone who has what I have; basically I can't let anyone get to know me so I live my life totally alone. My contact list on my phone is vets and emergency vets. Whenever if have to fill out a next of kin field, I have absolutely no one. However, I can talk to people maybe once or twice before I avoid. So, the last ten New Years Eve and Christmases alone etc. I can talk to officials, I think because they are being paid to deal with me so I feel I have some worth to them. With my migraines, they are mornings so I can feed and clothe myself later on in the day. Does anyone know if PIP is available to someone like me?

I do not know about PIP, but you would almost certainly need a formal diagnosis if this were psychological, although the debilitating element of the migraines may qualify you for PIP. However please ask your doctor for a referral to a psychologist and if they refuse then demand a referral, you appear to need help and I think that a professional psychologist could offer that.

Kris35

MattMattMattUK said:

Kris35 said:

Hi all. I'm on UC because of my severe migraines and mental health. I've not had a holiday in 30 years and I never had children because of my migraines. However, the socializing part of me is weird and I don't think I can get PIP because of it. I've never met anyone who has what I have; basically I can't let anyone get to know me so I live my life totally alone. My contact list on my phone is vets and emergency vets. Whenever if have to fill out a next of kin field, I have absolutely no one. However, I can talk to people maybe once or twice before I avoid. So, the last ten New Years Eve and Christmases alone etc. I can talk to officials, I think because they are being paid to deal with me so I feel I have some worth to them. With my migraines, they are mornings so I can feed and clothe myself later on in the day. Does anyone know if PIP is available to someone like me?

I do not know about PIP, but you would almost certainly need a formal diagnosis if this were psychological, although the debilitating element of the migraines may qualify you for PIP. However please ask your doctor for a referral to a psychologist and if they refuse then demand a referral, you appear to need help and I think that a professional psychologist could offer that.

Thanks. I had a one hour phone consultation with a shrink a couple of months ago and was diagnosed with traits of various personality disorders. As I understand it, it's not what you are diagnosed with, but how it affects you. So I think I'm asking if there is anything for anyone who lives life as a recluse. I don't think there is as I've never met anyone with what I have.

marcia_

Kris35 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Kris35 said:

Hi all. I'm on UC because of my severe migraines and mental health. I've not had a holiday in 30 years and I never had children because of my migraines. However, the socializing part of me is weird and I don't think I can get PIP because of it. I've never met anyone who has what I have; basically I can't let anyone get to know me so I live my life totally alone. My contact list on my phone is vets and emergency vets. Whenever if have to fill out a next of kin field, I have absolutely no one. However, I can talk to people maybe once or twice before I avoid. So, the last ten New Years Eve and Christmases alone etc. I can talk to officials, I think because they are being paid to deal with me so I feel I have some worth to them. With my migraines, they are mornings so I can feed and clothe myself later on in the day. Does anyone know if PIP is available to someone like me?

I do not know about PIP, but you would almost certainly need a formal diagnosis if this were psychological, although the debilitating element of the migraines may qualify you for PIP. However please ask your doctor for a referral to a psychologist and if they refuse then demand a referral, you appear to need help and I think that a professional psychologist could offer that.

Thanks. I had a one hour phone consultation with a shrink a couple of months ago and was diagnosed with traits of various personality disorders. As I understand it, it's not what you are diagnosed with, but how it affects you. So I think I'm asking if there is anything for anyone who lives life as a recluse. I don't think there is as I've never met anyone with what I have.

 You need to read the PIP activities list because being unable to socialise is only a very tiny part of it. There is no not had a holiday or living as s as recluse activity. You would need to score points on several activities to get an award. 

fatbelly

PIP is paid for a care or mobility need.

In your case there is an argument for a care need. You will need the help of someone experienced in making these applications

Spoonie_Turtle

Kris35 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Kris35 said:

Hi all. I'm on UC because of my severe migraines and mental health. I've not had a holiday in 30 years and I never had children because of my migraines. However, the socializing part of me is weird and I don't think I can get PIP because of it. I've never met anyone who has what I have; basically I can't let anyone get to know me so I live my life totally alone. My contact list on my phone is vets and emergency vets. Whenever if have to fill out a next of kin field, I have absolutely no one. However, I can talk to people maybe once or twice before I avoid. So, the last ten New Years Eve and Christmases alone etc. I can talk to officials, I think because they are being paid to deal with me so I feel I have some worth to them. With my migraines, they are mornings so I can feed and clothe myself later on in the day. Does anyone know if PIP is available to someone like me?

I do not know about PIP, but you would almost certainly need a formal diagnosis if this were psychological, although the debilitating element of the migraines may qualify you for PIP. However please ask your doctor for a referral to a psychologist and if they refuse then demand a referral, you appear to need help and I think that a professional psychologist could offer that.

Thanks. I had a one hour phone consultation with a shrink a couple of months ago and was diagnosed with traits of various personality disorders. As I understand it, it's not what you are diagnosed with, but how it affects you. So I think I'm asking if there is anything for anyone who lives life as a recluse. I don't think there is as I've never met anyone with what I have.

That is correct, although a diagnosis or professional input confirming it's not something that can be cured or easily treated would help.

Have a read of https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/ including the PDFs linked therein
And a long read but useful https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria  especially the part about RELIABLY
It will also help understand whether migraine preventing you doing things in the mornings counts (I think it probably does if you're unable to do things when would reasonably be expected, but I've not slept so I'm not up to checking right now)

A deep dive, if you're up to it at any point, into the socialising activity here https://pipinfo.net/activities/engaging-with-other-people-face-to-face  (and worth checking out the other activities and info too, if you're able to)

Kris35

fatbelly said:

PIP is paid for a care or mobility need.

In your case there is an argument for a care need. You will need the help of someone experienced in making these applications

Thanks FB. I think I don't qualify and that's ok. I don't need care because as long as I don't make friends, I am ok. But I'm going to look into this further just to double check.

Kris35

Thanks ST, I really appreciate these links and will delve in later on today.

fatbelly

Kris. Try the word help instead of care. Could you envisage that an independent person looking at the way you live would conclude that you need help in communicating and mixing with others? If the answer is yes then there is a case that can be made in a PIP application.

Alice_Holt

I'd suggest contacting your local advice charity to see if you could have an appointment with an experienced benefits adviser.

As Spoonie says the "reliability" and "majority of days" aspect of PIP will be crucial to you.
I think points could be awarded for dressing / eating if the migraines prevent you doing these activities "as reasonably required" most days.  If you can't dress, make and eat breakfast, etc when you need and have to wait until the migraine eases, then I feel you can't do those activities reliably.
A similar case might be put for the washing and cooking activities. How long do the migraines last?  What are the after effects?   Is safety a factor ? 

The Pipinfo on engaging face to face details case law that states the ability to establish a relationship when engaging with others is more than the mere reciprocation of exchanges - that may be relevant in your case.
However, the PIP form will need to be carefully written, since you state you can talk to officials. A PIP assessor may assume that if you cope ok with the PIP assessment interview, then you don't score points for social engagement.  The PIP form will need to address this, and fully explain the difficulties you have - it would help if it referenced relevant case law.  

It may be that you will have to appeal any PIP decision as, sadly, assessors tend to be poor in applying the reliability criteria, can (generally) underestimate the impact of mental health on PIP activities, and don't seem to have much awareness of PIP case law.   
So you will need a well written and informed PIP form, that fully explains your difficulties with the PIP activities. This will give you the best chance of an award (particularly if an appeal is involved).

Kris35

fatbelly said:

Kris. Try the word help instead of care. Could you envisage that an independent person looking at the way you live would conclude that you need help in communicating and mixing with others? If the answer is yes then there is a case that can be made in a PIP application.

Interesting. I'm odd though because I just avoid ALL relationships. I don't need any help to go to my doctors or anything like that, but to communicate or/and mix with others for any length of time is my issue. I cannot accept any help to maintain any relationship, because, well, it has such a negative effect on me. So I suppose it comes down to having and maintaining any sort of relationship and whether that can be seen as an issue for anyone. I don't think it qualifies me. For example, if I got a call from the PIP people, I'll happily chat away, but I'm always going to be on my own. Maybe I should contact the CAB and see if they know anything about my weird situation?