Personal Indepence Payment (PIP)

[PhilM]

I thought "I've worked hard" and this benefit has nothing to do with whether you work on not. The form is BS though - hardly any questions about mental health BUT a lot of questions clearly designed to catch people out. Got nothing to lose by applying for it though as OCD sufferers in my view.

[carolj]

My son has PIP for his OCD, just fill it in as though its your very worst day.  He didnt get the motability part, but thats ok.  Good luck!

[PhilM]

Thanks Carol. Ultimately from experience of helping other people with different DWP forms I've realised that unless you fill them in smartly you will get nothing. As I said I thought "why shouldn't I try and claim it"? I have nothing to lose and know people - friends of friends who are claiming all sorts of things because they know how to play the system.

[BelAnna]

Hi PhilM,

I receive PIP Care Component for OCD. I subscribed to a website called Benefitsandwork, which is incredibly helpful for benefits claims.

If you struggle with daily activities (cooking, showering, dressing, communicating) then you are entitled to PIP but it can be quite difficult to get it for psychiatric disorders and you need to supply as much medical evidence as you can to support your application. 

 

[grams88]

Hi PhilM

There was an article mentioning that all 1.6 million claims are to be reviewed, this could probably take sometime. The government never challenged the courts decision.

Pip

I think they are going look into the mobility part for people who suffer from mental health conditions.

I'm receiving PIP support. I think Phil is right it's not to do with whether you work or not but sometimes might ask this question if it something you put in the PIP form.

You could try for the ESA Phil if that is something you have not put a claim in for.

Ocd is very hard to live with as it is and I feel that support can be of great benefit, PIP or ESA, I understand they are strict when it comes to the medical.

You might see my comment on that bbc news website I posted.

[PhilM]

Thanks for the above comments. I actually still do work but only 21 hours a week so I don't think I'm entitled to ESA. To be honest I know very little about the benefits system.

Cheers, Phil

[Angst]

As Belanna says - PIP is awarded for functional impairment caused by an illness or condition rather than the illness or condition itself. If you cannot go to the toilet without assistance, or keep yourself clean, or cook and prepare a basic meal without help, dress yourself without help, or cannot communicate clearly to other people and need somebody to help you, or you need somebody to remind you to take your medication.....

The predecessor of PIP was DLA and the criteria and point system was made more stringent. (Similarly the local authority assessment for home help was made more stringent - though this is means tested.)

Your medical referees -GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, support worker need to indicate the nature of the functional impairment.

[PhilM]

I know a bit about PIP as I've helped people with their initial form and "re-consideration" letters. The initial form is long and sneaky - Q2 might be the same(ish) as Q20 and I think designed to catch people out as obviously the system is designed to NOT pay people the payment.

I know for a fact I won't get the mobility part but I'm quietly confident I MAY get the standard rate for Care. I have nothing to lose by applying and neither do forum friends and a lot of people with this condition (again in my view) should be entitled to it.

Ultimately other people with OCD or other psychiatric conditions (in my opinion) should apply for it and stress the discomfort, inability to do certain things, relying on partners and friends to help them out etc. 

Best wishes, Phil.

[snowbear]

10 minutes ago, PhilM said:

Ultimately other people with OCD or other psychiatric conditions (in my opinion) should apply for it and stress the discomfort, inability to do certain things, relying on partners and friends to help them out etc. 

I don't disagree, but a word of caution before anyone gets their hopes up too high...there is a difference between being physically unable to do something and being 'unable' to do something due to fear. Those of us who suffer the inability know that fear is every bit as crippling as physical paralysis, but in the eyes of the assessors they are two different things. I think with all benefit applications it comes down to how you word it and whether or not the person doing your assessment understands how a mental disability can create a very real physical disability. As with many things in life it's a lottery. 

[PhilM]

I totally agree SB.

[grams88]

I don't think I got anything for the mobility part but I did get more for other part, my mum was mentioning that I'm getting more money than before. I think it went in my favour as I'm doing a few hours volunteering a week. I'm thinking of maybe getting a job in the future but see what happens if my ocd is improving well lets hope. (Just wait for whatever the next story in the news is going to be) I need to face the news and be strong.

I don't want to confuse anyone but I feel as if the ESA might be a bit easier than the PIP if anyone is not getting much with the PIP, maybe go for ESA, I guess if you are not working. Don't get me wrong I think the medical you have to pass is strict and I can understand why.

I got called in for an interview and they were just checking over that the things that were mentioned on the form were true. (I think that's what they did)

[Guest David green]

Hello Phill

I always thought i was entitled to this and i tried a few times years ago with no joy i was refused but out of the blue they contacted me and i was receaving it but for how long is the question so i have that in the back of my head not to get to used to it.

If you have a cpn they can fill it in for you and they know what to say to get the benefit plus a letter with it from your cpn and gp.

[PhilM]

I don't have a CPN but I've been very careful in what I have written and ultimately I write, proof-read and edit for a living.

I'm just about to self-refer back to the local community mental health team even though I've been told there is no other OCD specialist in the whole of Cardiff other than the guy I didn't get on with as I've explained elsewhere.

BW, Phil.

 

Edited February 7, 2018 by PhilM

[Guest David green]

Well i hope you get lucky what do you have to lose exactly

I wasnt under the cmht at the time when i had to get a form filled out for ESA i just googled them and his name and email addy came up.So i emailed him and he was happy to fill out the form for me and send a letter with it.At the time it was hard work getting a letter from my gp but i didnt give up and just got the letter in time.

So dont give up Phill

[PhilM]

Thank you David.

[Snowdog]

On 05/02/2018 at 12:51, PhilM said:

I thought "I've worked hard" and this benefit has nothing to do with whether you work on not. The form is BS though - hardly any questions about mental health BUT a lot of questions clearly designed to catch people out. Got nothing to lose by applying for it though as OCD sufferers in my view.

Hi Phil 

how are you ? Sorry haven’t spoken to you in a while my ocd has been bad and haven’t been on much.. are u of the benzo yet ? Just to let you know I’m on the higher rate of this for the care part.... I just said how it is on a bad day with my intrusive thoughts how long it takes me to do things what I’m scared of doing etc then I was called to see someone they said I couldn’t have it then I disagreed with there answer so I had a phone call interview and told her everything and she awarded me the higher rate so no you got nothing To loose.. 

x

[PhilM]

Hi SD - thanks for your post. Sorry to hear your OCD has been bad.

I'm down to 2mg a day now and struggling to some extent. I knew the journey was going to be tough but not as tough as it has been. I've been taking some herbal supplements recently which I'm not promoting but they may help or may not. Damned expensive though.

Regarding PIP - I applied for it because I genuinely felt that despite still working - low hours but a good hourly rate - I had nothing to lose. The amount of people I know claiming LOADS of benefits is shocking but they know how to work the system.

As I've said previously, I've helped people with PIP forms so know how careful you have you to be filling them in. We'll see.

Good to hear from you - don't be a stranger. You have a lot of friends on this forum.

Best wishes, Phil x