Would I be entitled to PIP?

Rye93_2

Hi Everyone,

I haven't a clue about this as I've never claimed anything apart from jobseekers allowance when I was 18 and that was only for a 2 month period. I'm now 31 and worked ever since.

I was suggested to me to make a possible claim for PIP as I suffer with anxiety and depression. I currently take Sertraline once a day to help with this, but some things such as social interaction and having the motivation some days is a real struggle. I work full time and when it comes to work, you have no choice but too power through and interact with people and find that motivation even though it's a struggle. 

My partner is amazing and helps me all the time, but she suggested it may be worth asking about a claim for PIP. I don't want to take advantage of a system that's set up for people who really need it, but I wanted to ask if anymore in similar circumstances has claimed this and been successful?

Any advice would be appriciated as like I said before, I've never done anything like this before.

Many Thanks

marcia_

Rye93_2 said:

Hi Everyone,

I haven't a clue about this as I've never claimed anything apart from jobseekers allowance when I was 18 and that was only for a 2 month period. I'm now 31 and worked ever since.

I was suggested to me to make a possible claim for PIP as I suffer with anxiety and depression. I currently take Sertraline once a day to help with this, but some things such as social interaction and having the motivation some days is a real struggle. I work full time and when it comes to work, you have no choice but too power through and interact with people and find that motivation even though it's a struggle. 

My partner is amazing and helps me all the time, but she suggested it may be worth asking about a claim for PIP. I don't want to take advantage of a system that's set up for people who really need it, but I wanted to ask if anymore in similar circumstances has claimed this and been successful?

Any advice would be appriciated as like I said before, I've never done anything like this before.

Many Thanks

 Your diagnosis alone is not going to give you PIP. They look at how your disability effects you and your ability to do tasks. Look up the PIP points test and see what you might get points for. 

elsien

You might want to have a look at this and consider how your mental health relates to the specific descriptors. 

As above, it’s not about your diagnosis. It’s about the help you need on a day-to-day basis because of your mental health condition. This guide focuses on the mental health aspect. 
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/

it is possible to get PIP, and it is an in work benefit, but the mistake a lot of people make is to not to really think about how their condition affects them every day and to presume that a diagnosis and medication will automatically mean that they are accepted.
And to be honest, it can be quite depressing filling and a long list of things you can’t do because it’s focused on disability not ability. Where do you think it’s worth a go or not is up to you but do it on an informed basis.

poppy12345

Have a read of this  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

Rubyroobs

Half the population seems to be taking anti-depressants and this won't qualify you for PIP.. PIP is a disability benefit and looks at whether your disability is bad enough to prevent you form washing and dressing yourself, communicating with others, going out alone, mobilising etc.

elsien

Also be aware  a lot of people get turned down on the initial application. There is more  success with an appeal or tribunal, but that can be mentally draining in itself. 

So if you do apply and get knocked back get help with the reconsideration process, because it’s not necessarily you, it may well be the system. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Rubyroobs said:

Half the population seems to be taking anti-depressants and this won't qualify you for PIP.. PIP is a disability benefit and looks at whether your disability is bad enough to prevent you form washing and dressing yourself, communicating with others, going out alone, mobilising etc.

Mental health-wise, this doesn't mean it needs to completely prevent from being able to do those things.  More that you need prompting and/or supervision more than half the time to be able to do them when you need to, rather than spending an hour or two trying to talk yourself into doing it and/or getting distracted and/or breaking down partway through and not being able to complete it, that kind of thing.

Definitely don't be put off by very blunt or absolute wording like the above comment, and do make sure to have a read of the links given.  For mental illness, the concept of reliably is probably the most important, for the majority of the PIP activities.