Family member awarded enhanced pip - AIBU?

It might not be much but it’s free money and you still get it even if you’re wealthy, paid NMW or somewhere in between. So in your example they would be better off by choosing to work and fraudulently claiming. It happens.

I know I’ll get lots of hate for what I’m saying and that I must hate disabled people. I don’t. I really, really don’t. I believe in a welfare system. I vote Labour. I believe genuinely disabled people should be fully supported. But I also know that there is PIP fraud and that needs to be addressed.

As if we don’t have enough of that already

How do you know? The dwp sent my daughter's GP a form which they had to fill in and send back. There was no need to involve my daughter- I only know about it because my daughter was turned down and when we appealed and asked for all the paperwork, we found out about the form.

I would also add that pip isn't just about physically being able to walk. My daughter can walk fine but she has epilepsy and a learning disability so she isn't able to go out on her own. My nephews get it and they have autism.

Oh damn. Just realised who I replied to. I am off.

I agree that many people who should get it are probably rejected and that the majority of people who do have it should have it.

but I also know someone who has lied to get it. Her mum lives in the house she owns and she told them that she still lives there (bills are in her name) and that her mum has to prep her food , dress her, etc. but in reality she moved out for work and rents in a different city and lives on her own.

She offered to help me get PIP, I have a medical condition which for some people might mean they’re affected enough to deserve it. Where as I am on the lower end of the spectrum, and am perfectly mobile and independent which she knows. but she told me to big my symptoms up to the gp for six months and then she’d help me fill the form out. I obviously declined.

No. Those who are missing support is because the system is stacked against them. The PIP process is unpleasant and unfair.

What do you mean?

The individual has allegedly committed fraud. Are you OK with that?

It would be highly unusual for someone to get PIP without providing medical information.

They won't ask your Gp for details and a lack of medical back up is one of the most common reasons for them to say no. An appeal tribunal will ask your GP for info.

Are you sure your relative isn't just downplaying it? My DD often describes her narcolepsy as "I fall asleep every now and again..." when in reality it's a horrid condition that affects every part of her life, but she doesn't like discussing it.

All I will say is that there is scriptwhich these type of threads follow. New or name changed poster. Friend or relative who openly boasts about claiming benefits fraudulently.

Utterly reprehensible - it’s fraud.

There are deserving cases missing support because of people like this.

Everyone's got a story of someone who's fiddling haven't they🙄

Some people could do with minding their business when they aren't in full possession of the facts and even more likely have no direct experience of people living full time with their disabilities.

Tbh it’s a pittance as are most benefits. You’d be better off getting a low pressure admin type job that you can do from home if you’re into getting money for doing not very much.

Much as MN loves to defend Labour/Starmer and insist that all benefit claimants are 100% genuine, there are far too many of us who know people manipulating the system for it to be uncommon

Why do people always think every PIP claimant is 100% honest? There are plenty of dishonest people out there. I don’t know why some people find it so hard to believe that other people abuse the system.

Tbh there are so many who don’t get what they should be entitled to that I can’t get worked up about it. Mind your own business - maybe she’s lying to you to wind you up.

Im betting soon there will be an update that this relative performs cartwheels and backflips and has won a strong-woman competition.

I dont believe it, you have to send medical evidence and its certainly not an easy benefit to claim.

Doesn’t seem to be a disability benefits bashing thread. Although those lying to get benefits deserve the bashing!

PIP assessment is not the same

Ah, a first time poster. No point engaging.

In reality, plenty of people are exaggerating symptoms, just like your family member

Do you have any evidence to back this up?

I have not yet had my assessment for PIP.

However I had my assessment for ESA and the person doing it could clearly see all my medical records as she mentioned a couple of diagnoses I'd forgotten to put on the form.

PIP isn't awarded on the basis of particular conditions. It is awarded on the basis of how a person is affected day to day.

There was a report recently that said PIP fraud was so close to zero it could be described as zero.

In reality, plenty of people are exaggerating symptoms, just like your family member.

The problem is, people with very valid claims are having theirs refused. It’s a very messy and expensive problem but it’s got to be sorted.

If that's true she had an exceptionally lenient assessor. I've supported people through the PIP process and it can be a nightmare to prove your disability.

Also, are you saying she isn't disabled at all, or just that she has exaggerated her condition? Because the standard advice is to describe your worst day. Does she never experience this level of pain?

Using a wheelchair is not that relevant, that's only a small component of eligibility. Someone who uses a wheelchair but is independent in daily living might well not qualify m