To dob in family member - benefits

This. Some people are projecting too much to these kind of threads. They might be disabled and hate it that people don't believe their struggles, which ofcourse I understand must be hard. But on the flip side there are people who do take advantage of a system where you do not need a formal diagnosis- you just need to state how your perceived disability affects your life. The doctor can only attest to what you are saying- so no proof possible.

Some workshy people will use this to get PIP. Then again some people who deserve PIP will get rejected. It's up to the PIP assessor really to decide- an arbitrary system that can award fraudsters and punish disabled people and in the end also punish the tax payer.

Same here. I have days when I can potter round a shop (always in pain) and I have whole weeks where I can’t get out of bed. It’s people like OP that put me off claiming PIP even though I’m entitled to it. I’d be terrified to be seen in public again if I got it.

You didn't deserve the vicious, spiteful comments you got from so many 'no' voters. It was them, not you, that came across as rather unpleasant people.

Yes this. What a nasty individual they must be. It’s people like OP that has made me fear pursuing financial help because I live a normal life (walking, working, a bit of weeding in the garden etc) but it comes at a price (excruciating constant pain). The alternative would be to become housebound and bed ridden, which I refuse to do. If I did get pip OP would no doubt stab me in the back with the authorities because of making wrong assumptions.

I don't support abuse of the welfare system at all but I wouldn't dob this person in. What you see may not reflect their reality. You don't know what it costs them to do 'normal' things. You don't know how long it takes them to recover from doing those things. I'd trust the assessment on this one.

Think people dont understand that PIP is a Personal Independence Payment - emphasis on Independence’- without it many people really would never leave the house. It is being used in our case to scaffold my DD into something approximating independent, ‘normal’ life (whatever ‘normal’ is). Money for extra counselling, therapies, Ubers has been pivotal for her and knowing she is paying for it herself - not using dad’s money- has helped her esteem and meant she engages with therapy more.

Would recommend exploring as assessment as even a small payment helps and may mean you could try private pain management therapies?

We did not apply for DLA for DS1 for 9 years after diagnosis because of stigma. It got to the point where we simply could no longer afford the many and varied therapies and medical needs he has that we bit the bullet and did so.

One of DS's friends is actually very severely affected by autism, adhd and mental health issues and his parents won't apply also because of stigma. I have heard of many others who say the same.

Refocus your efforts on those with excessive wealth, yet paying minimal taxes! Therein where the problem lies… tax avoidance costs more than benefits cheats

OP it does sound like the person in question has been subjected to rigorous assessment and to leave well alone.

Understandably this is an emotive topic. I am sometimes in a position to support people to make benefits claims at initial stage. But I also regularly decline request to support PIP and for criminal compensation, both of these are declined due to service policy (NHS) because people request reports for PIP for MH that are treatable within our service.

These are distinctly separate from what are classed as life long severe and enduring MH diagnosis - which do get letters of support for PIP from colleagues in adjacent teams.

It does surprise me sometimes what people think they can claim PIP for, and who requests it varies quite a bit over socioeconomic groups. Benefit fraud does happen and it’s not always your stereotypical ‘bad back’ or ‘forgetting’ to report changes to who is living and earning in the household.

OP I hope you can reconcile whatever is going on for you and move past this

I live a normal life but I am also in incredible pain most of the time. I don’t claim anything (one of the reasons is the fear of people like you), but just looking at me go about my day you wouldn't know the depth of pain I am in. Alternatively I could just take to my bed and never leave the house, is that what you’d demand from your relative?

Am kind of relieved to read this.

My DD receives PIP (ASD, ADHD. Chronic and acute anxiety and depression plus related mH issues) and it as scaffolded her into conpleting an Access Course and attending university ….so I have been worried people on the outside look at her and think her award is too high too, or that she will lose it one day.

She’s been home from uni since mid dec and barely left her room due to autistic burnout, anaemia, weight loss, vit D deficiency (as never leaves her rooms) and serious dental infections as she simply hasn’t been looking after herself in halls at all. We’re moving her into a flat in Feb to share with Dh (change of job location via promotion but opportune as it means he can be with her 2-4 days a week and I can do weekend check ins). She is genius level IQ, can physically get herself to uni etc (with safety net of taxis), and may one day be able to hold down a civil service or academic job in an Nd inclusive department with WFH, BUT she really cannot live alone without monitoring - however to people like OP she probably doesn’t seem deserving of the award.

I don’t think people realise that the glimpses they get into peoples lives are just that, glimpses, and that behind closed doors on a minute to minute basis these individuals’ lives can be horrendously difficult.

Op I get it, some people exaggerating their issues to get the higher rate pip so they can have a nice car ! I’ve seen it happen extremely close first hand

Depends whether the satisfaction of being a social justice warrior will outweigh personal feelings of guilt at having put a family member in a difficult financial position I guess

OP - I think you have had a really hard time here. The challenge is that medical assessments are partly based on what someone tells a doctor . So we you say you cannot walk 20m and demonstrate that you “cannot” walk 20 m - the report says was unable to walk 20m.
It is possible for a dishonest person to have medical reports exaggerating a disability.

Personally I think you should share your concerns . The tax payer cannot manage the current levels of benefits and the truly deserving are still in need.

My daughter is like you. And I admire and applaud you both. I also agree that, separate to this particular case we all need to have a grown up conversation about benefits, and tax for that matter. Politicians don’t dare grasp either issue properly. And we need to.
As an aside, in my daughter’s case, work is important to her. She’d be worse off in so many ways without it.

You feel like a bad person because you are.

A very sensible reply.

This is a fair position to take - but nothing at all to do with OP’s original post which is just about “dobbing” on someone who is not even doing anything wrong

Do you expect people on PIP to not be able to decorate their homes as they wish nor go for a walk??
what should they do? Languish in squalor ?

They went to tribunal. They have all the info. Doctors reports are involved. The payments are fair and accurate. And also absolutely nothing to do with you.

You'd be surprised at what people are getting higher rate for. I doubt your report would go far if its already been to tribunal but by all means s make one if it makes you feel better.

I have a disability. I work. I do not claim PIP. I’m sure lots (majority) of those who claim PIP have real difficulties which justify the allowance, and fully support that. But there is a real issue as to whether as a country we can continue to support all the benefits we supply as comprehensively as we do, and a perception that not everyone who claims them (not just PIP) fully requires them, whilst other people don’t and work extremely hard. It is something that needs to be looked at frankly, without those who raise the issue being called “vile” etc. I think OP’s contemplating dobbing is a separate issue, and one where I have rather less sympathy, particularly given the Tribunal’s decision after looking at extensive evidence. But overall, we should be able to have these conversations/debates without name-calling or disrespect from either side.

So “Assesment”, took place in ancient history & under completely different rules & regs to today…which we assume OP’s ‘relative’ was investigated under?

If I’m being honest. I hope your relative catches onto how you feel and what you were considering doing - so they can distance themselves.

Imagine chatting away with your relative over a cup of tea - unbeknownst to you, they are planning on reporting you - as they don’t believe you’re disabled enough for high level PIP.
Gives me chills 😖

This, all day long.

My DS1 gets DLA. I never tell anyone because I am sure people would say 'but he doesn't need it'. They have no idea what our actual day to day life is like. It's hard and it's a struggle. Just because you don't see something doesn;t mean it does not exist. The tribunal has seen the evidence, you admit you have not. So wind your fucking neck in and think about the kind of person you are.