I receive PIP and UC for MH reasons, AMA.

[ButTheDolphins]

I have name changed for this. I receive benefits for MH reasons and there has been an influx of threads on MN in recent months about benefits for those with what are perceived to be invisible disabilities, benefit ‘fraud’, and lots of misinformation about autism and adhd and so on. So go ahead and ask me anything.

Are you working towards coming off those benefits? Mental health can be worked on in many cases.

Don't want to nit picking bit shouldn't you be posting this in the AMA section of MN .

I’m afraid that you could also be part of the ‘misinformation’ too, sadly. I’ll wish you well however as we all need that, or to read those words now and again.

At the moment, No. My most recent suicide attempt was in May of this year so my efforts are going to improving my mental health. I have worked since I was 15, I have only been unemployed for the last 3 years so consider that I have paid in enough to warrant looking after myself.

What are your mental health reasons? Not asking to judge but wondered if a family member might qualify

My husband has had 2 breakdowns, sectioned once. He has been told someone will help him do a PIP assessment so he can get PIP. I really don't want him sitting around the house all day not having to go back to work because I think it will make his mental health worse and he will have little incentive to engage in treatment. I want him to use the PIP to access therapy, go to group sessions etc and be able to afford to do some work. How realistic is this do you think?

I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 13. I have been on anti anxiety and antidepressant medication since 15. These largely have made me considerably worse. I was diagnosed with Audhd in my late 30s and I have attempted suicide multiple times. It takes everything that I have to get from one end of the day to the other.

I wasn’t aware there was an AMA section. I only really use the AIBU board and the threads I’m talking about are posted here.

I honestly couldn’t say. I’m not an expert in other peoples mental health or the benefits system. I will say that Citizens Advice have helped me a lot and it does sound as though your husband could use their support.

I’m very sorry.
My family member has had similar issues since late teens and refuses medication / feels it makes them worse; also lots of attempts etc. Too low to try do anything else that could help, say they can’t end it. So they’re stuck.

how do you pass your time?

I’m unsure what you mean by this.

Isn’t it up to the individual how they use the money? As in, it’s not in anyone else’s control whether it’s used towards therapy etc

There is an AMA board which is for exactly what you are posting about: Ask me anything. About any subject.

NoMoreCoffeeformethanks; you'll probably right that getting back to work would be good for your husband. Firstly people in work can claim PIP, secondly having some financial support via PIP may mean he can go back gradually, rather than rush to return full time. It may also mean he can do things that would help him recover; exersise classes, arts, etc.

Why do you feel the medication made you worse? Assuming you were really struggling and that is why you went on meds, had you not gone on them might you be worse or even not here?
I just put this to you because it’s easy to forget how very bad it was and therefore why we went on them in the first place.

According to the MH professionals I’m seeing now, antidepressants are made for neurotypical people and often have an adverse effect on those with Autism and/or ADHD.

As for how I pass the time, I have children, several of which are also autistic or have adhd or both. If I have anything left over I like gardening. I’m currently growing my own pumpkins for Halloween in our garden.

As I said previously, I wasn’t aware.

Girl, i'd ask for this to be moved to ama

But wish you the best with it all ❤️

Hi, OP. We've moved your thread to our AMA topic.

Well quite. But my options are, he uses the money to access treatment and eventually recover or he uses the money to continue being depressed, lying in bed all day while I work full time, pay all the bills, cook the meals, deal with the kids until I crack and either have a breakdown myself or kick him out. I'd like him to do the former which is why Im concerned he will go on pip and do the latter.

one thinks you if on pip , you are on it Because something is wrong and you are ill , nothing else needs to matter , you have had an assessment by the dwp thus they class you as poorly , that's what p.i.p is for . At this time follow your doctors advice to get better , best of luck . I.e. mental health issues are not seen like other things like a broken leg so ignore what people say William

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about how much people can claim.

How much are you able to claim a month between these benefits and any earned income?

I receive the standard daily rate for pip which is £400 a month. I also receive the LCWRA (low capacity for work & work related activity) element of UC which is around the same, however this is often lower as my husband works full time and we have a joint claim. Last month it was £65.

I understand. You asked how realistic your hopes were so I thought you were unaware of how the money is used/paid out. Up to the individual - which is not always a good thing.

Yes I wasn't sure if it had to be used to specifically assist with going to work- travel expenses etc. Sorry if I was a bit snappy. I'm trying not to get stressed out about it.