To think about claiming PIP in these circumstances?

They are not good at it at all. The system is appalling and the assessors are very selective in what they look at and focus on evidence that they can say shows you don’t need it. It’s well known that fluctuating conditions and neurodivergence etc are not treated well by assessors and that will be in the Timms report. My friend who has hypermobility and dyspraxia was told she was able to wash her hair, cook, follow a map etc because she went to university and used to work in a schools. There is zero correlation! They deliberately ignored how she can’t travel on trains on peak times, has been unable to pass her driving test despite hundred of lessons and struggles to travel so WFH as a reasonable adjustment or goes in early thanks to reasonable adjustments .

They also are very sloppy with the evidence eg. Making things up and disregarding things that were said, hence why it was always recommended you record the assessment or take someone with you before they made recordings routine.

The PIP regulations don't say anything of the sort.

If someone is unable to carry out any of the activities on the form safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and within a reasonable timescale, they will score points for that. If they get enough points, they will qualify for PIP.

Once you have established entitlement, what you do with the money is entirely up to you.

If you have a decent CAB or other advice agency, OP, they may well be happy to advise you on your potential eligibility. Definitely get advice on filling in the form if/when you apply. I've known plenty of people who never dreamed they'd be entitled but succeeded in getting PIP. One of the MS charities may also be able to help.

I must have done hundreds of PIP applications in my time (25 years of working in welfare rights) and have made successful applications for people with all sorts of health problems, although my client group were mainly people with MH issues or who were neurodivergent.

If you're not eligible for PIP but do need to cut down or stop working later on then you may still be eligible for the LCWRA element of UC.

That's my experience. They asked me if I worked and even though I said only part-time because of fatigue and pain that didn't seem to make much difference.

You didn’t state your profession

Of course you should apply OP. Mumsnet is quite right wing when it comes to benefits and there's this think of "Why should you get it and not me?" whereas we should all want it to be easier to claim PIP because any of us could become ill.

I would strongly advise speaking to Google AI about it. I've been asking it a few things because I'm waiting for my tribunal hearing at the moment. So many of us are making our disabilities worse, trying to keep working and I think PIP should be given as a preventative measure so that you don't destroy your health. It's all so unfair. You're a young woman with MS and people on here are still being awful.

You will have to be prepared to go through the mandatory reconsideration and tribunal stages. Keep going. They will send a report back saying all the reasons why you don't deserve PIP.....DON'T TAKE THIS TO HEART - IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP. Also, the tribunal is actually easier than the initial assessment because the people are neutral. The DWP assessor is not neutral.

Always apply, the worst they can do is say no.

And when they do say no you just take it to mandatory reconsideration and tribunal if necessary and most people seem to get awarded at that stage.

Our local council sent us a benefits advisor to help son fill his form in. She was very good at wording it in such a way that sounded so much better than when I did it. She knew the phrases to use, not lies but explained the situation better. He got awarded the lower rate. They absolutely do turn people down if you tell them you can do stuff on some days but not on others.

Through work I know several disabled people who have PIP and/or Access to Work to support them in their job. Please don't feel guilty about needing or using it - that's what it's there for! It can be a really stressful and frustrating process so make sure you've got a good support network or people who've been through it who can help.

As for it being against you that you have a full time job and go to the gym, there are things that Deaf & disabled people can do but it doesn't mean that they don't still have barriers that need removing. Being able to sing in a show or do drag or stand up comedy or dance or act doesn't stop that person from also still being blind and needing supportive technology and a companion to guide and describe, or that other person from needing an essential companion because they have a learning disability and need help with understanding information and so on.

PIP isn’t based on your worst day or best day. It is based on the majority of the time and what you can reliably do. Reliably meaning safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in reasonable time.

Can you make yourself a bssic a meal and this can be as basic as a microwave meal or sandwich independently or do you need assistnce

You see, this is why PIP isn’t as simple as people think it is. If you can only cook a microwave meal &/or only make a sandwich, you cannot prepare and cook a simple meal unaided for PIP.

Similarly, the pp who mentioned being able to cook if working reduced hours meaning not scoring points. That isn’t true either. The assessment shouldn’t only look at what someone can do if they haven’t worked or only worked a small amount.

This thread is showing exactly what is wrong with the system. Everyone wants more money, everyone think if X gets it, I should to.

Then, people tells you that if course you can get it as long as you know what to write and lie...

And then when we have threads about PIP being too easy to get, the government not being able to get, you get messages after messages going on about how hard it is to get it, that no one that can get on with next to a normal life could ever pass the eligibility test, and people who dare say they know someone who does gets vilified.

Absolutely apply! I waited until I was very bad with my condition, and I got PIP, I’ve also had to take ill health retirement, so PIP helps now as I was used to a higher wage! I use it for a cleaner, my car payments and that swallows most but I couldn’t live without it. I have a mortgage too, but have only remortgaged with the same bank. So check what mortgage companies accept PIP as an income, probably all of them but worth a check

Could one of your parents receive carers allowance too if they are providing regular care to help you?

It makes me so mad that PIP isn’t going to someone with a serious neurological condition like MS with all the awful symptoms that go with it (not all every day due to the nature of the disease), yet people with far less serious “conditions” are claiming all sorts 😣!!!!

I hope you get it OP and good luck. well done for holding down a job and not claiming benefits.

It makes me so mad that PIP isn’t going to someone with a serious neurological condition like MS with all the awful symptoms that go with it
You know that many people with MS live with very few or no symptoms at all? There have been significant medical advances recently with new treatments.

Not specific to OP, but to imply that everyone with MS should get it is ridiculous if we don't want the system to explode.

Define serious ?
No condition automatocally qualifies for PIP its how that condtion impacts a person.

Well yes, I agree that someone with MS should probably receive pip automatically. However, I'm only diagnosed with autism, mainly because I have extreme health anxiety and won't put myself through tests. There is absolutely no way I could work full time and go to the gym. I currently work two hours a week and really struggle to do that. This is due to fatigue and gut problems.

If I don't get PIP, I'll end up losing my house because I currently live on savings. I'm responsible for two young adults with autism too. If this happens I fear I won't survive as my body now cannot cope with any stress whatsoever. Situations are complicated.

Oh just to add OP, if you spend too much time on here you'll be put off applying because people are so unempathetic. In the real world I've found that doctors and even people at the DWP have been very understanding and sympathetic.

At the Job Centre I mean.

How can you possibly say a person with MS should automatically quslify for PIP ?
Like all disabillties it will affect people differently

It goes off need not disgnosis.

I was in your position - not with MS but a neurological condition (CP) and leg deformity so exhausted by work and standing etc.

I wanted independence so bought a house and then worked round the independence issues - microwave meals for me and early nights but maybe your mum would batch cook for you? Would swapping badminton twice a week to Pilates and yoga and swimming give you the same level of exercise but give you more energy to cook and be independent? If you are on baclofen is it the medication causing the tiredness and would altering the timing of the dose help ? - it did for me. Would adjustments at work help ease the tiredness? Do you currently have a blue badge to help you ( I have one even though I do not claim PIP).

If you have a MS nurse or physio or an occupational therapist it's worth asking them if they think you would qualify for PIP as they know your abilities and the strict PIP criteria far better than internet strangers.

If a PIP refusal would make you feel worse about your situation then maybe looking any workarounds is an option to help you move out.

Apply OP but get advice /help with your form from a disability group/cab/Ms website?
It seems very random who gets what and massively depends upon your form and evidence and the quality of your assessor.

Don't be put off by the many ignorant comments you'll see - it feels like a lottery but if you need lots of support to stay well/function then try it!
I get it for Long Covid- just had to give up work so it's a god send now tbh. I keep it fairly quiet tho as sadly people talk utter bollocks when it comes to PIP and Long Covid.
Good luck!

Pip is designed for people like you OP - to help you stay in work .

Yes you should apply.