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Original poster

What do you spend your PIP on?

46 replies

Penguinno · 19/01/2022 20:20

I've just been awarded the higher level of both elements and I am really struggling to know how I am meant to be spending it to help my daily living or mobility? I was awarded the mobility section for mental health.

Is a cleaner something I could spend it on? I can't find any information on what I should or should not do with it.

OP posts:

womaninatightspot · 19/01/2022 21:24

@Penguinno

No children.

I hadn't thought about the insurance bit.

I don't need to spend it I realise, and I do need to save some of it for things like taxi from hospital etc.

I would quite like to start swimming so maybe I can look at that.

I really wish there was like a pay for a friend thing sort of to have some one to spend time with and do things but it seems this does not exist.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

I've seen adverts on indeed for a pay for a companion type thing. Tends to be 2-3 hours twice a week. Someone to talk to, walk the dog with, go to a cafe with, go to a supermarket and help put the shopping away type of thing.

They all seem to pay £11.88 an hour so I assume running through an agency/ social work department somewhere. Another scheme where I am is shared lives, which is similar but the companions are self employed and invoice a charity who liase with social workers etc to matchmake those who need support with people who have stuff in common. Swimming or hobbies etc. I'd definitely have a look and see what's available in your area.

Original poster

Penguinno · 19/01/2022 21:27

I really need to do some more research, and yes, I think its best not to spend it yet until I figure out a plan for it. I didn't realise they backdate it.

So sometimes I just would like to go to say a museum or gallery but the friends I have just arent interested in that and thought of going myself is a bit too much to handle right now, but I think the isolation is making me worse as well so I need to try and start doing something.

You can absolutely ask for advice, not sure if I will be much help though @3Daddy31982

OP posts:

tatyr · 19/01/2022 21:27

OP you could employ a personal assistant to go places with you if it will help you feel less anxious/ build your confidence to start going places again. Have a Google to see if there is a Centre for Independent Living for your area as they may help you with advertising/recruiting

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Benefits

OldTinHat · 19/01/2022 21:38

I put in a PIP claim early October last year. I also don't leave the house and have a support worker and mental health nurse. I'm waiting for surgery too. I've heard nothing yet but if I'm successful I'll use mine for a cleaner and someone to do something with the garden so I can sit outside when the weather is nice. Food and prescriptions will come first though. And maybe putting the heating on occasionally (it's not been on yet this winter as I can't afford it). Hope that gives you a few ideas OP!

mrsbyers · 19/01/2022 21:48

I save mine as thankfully still able to work , I do have a cleaner though

Voice0fReason · 19/01/2022 21:48

Absolutely anything you want to spend it on. Anything that makes your life easier or a little more comfortable.
No-one will ever ask you to explain or justify how you have used it.

Jeelypieces20storeys · 19/01/2022 22:00

I get PIP - mobility element I use for a car. Living element I use for a cleaner as I find it hard physically to keep on top of things. It also helps me work part time.

My son gets DLA. We use it for private speech therapy, sensory equipment etc.

3Daddy31982 · 19/01/2022 22:30

I don't mind at all. I miss being able to walk & stand. I want to push my daughter on the swings and can't. She looks so sad. I've got acquired brain injury from a car accident in 1989 - apparently that helps. It affects my memory and I'm forever losing stuff lol x

Check that there's no other benefits like UC you could claim OP x

HobgoblinGold · 19/01/2022 22:35

I know of someone who receives the higher rate who uses it for a cleaner. The money is there to help you.

HobgoblinGold · 19/01/2022 22:37

@Penguinno

How about a creative outlet? You mentioned ‘pay for a friend’ so maybe joining a creative group would help with this?

HobgoblinGold · 19/01/2022 22:39

@Penguinno

Maybe a carer for when you go out? To make it more enjoyable and less stressful for you?

Another poster did suggest just leaving it for a while which night be a good idea.

Can I ask - are you feeling a little guilty about being given this money?

delilahbucket · 19/01/2022 22:45

Whatever will make your life better/easier. When I got DLA I got a cleaner, paid for prepared veg (I couldn't stand for long to cook so it made things so much easier), takeaways on the days I just couldn't cook, taxis to work so I didn't have to spend three hours shuffling to the bus stop, and it also helped massively to get treatment like private physio. It helped me stay in work.

WeeWeeWeeeee · 19/01/2022 22:58

It gets eaten up in the household budget. There are many things that I’d like to do with the money (gym, massage etc) but with the increased costs that living with a severe disability bring, there just isn’t any left.

HobgoblinGold · 19/01/2022 23:00

@WeeWeeWeeeee

This is totally shit. I'm so sorry. This is not how it's supposed to be.

MenaiMna · 19/01/2022 23:02

A cleaner, gym membership so I can use the pool as that's the only exercise I can do. It helps me afford my old car. But as disabled unwaged I need it to live. Saving up for mobility equipment that's better than NHS standard. BTW now that you've got it you can get your car tax half price if you're willing to pay a year in advance - monthly DirectDebit not available on this. You can also use your award letter to get travelcards for discounted public transport and cards to get you better seating and access at events (theatres and concerts eg bring a carer with you for free and special searing areas).

elelel · 19/01/2022 23:02

DH PIP just goes into the pot with everything else.

It doesn't replace the wage he used to earn but it's better then nothing. We just treat it as income.

Akire · 19/01/2022 23:03

To get higher care you need help with very basics so most people have pay someone else to help them to this unless you have family carer. Ditto meal prep and cleaning unless you have partner or carer. I have pay firsts £550 month from ESA and PIP for 10h week home care.

glitteringfishy · 20/01/2022 06:05

I was recently awarded enhanced rate for both parts too. I’m using mine to pay for therapy, it’s why I applied. My conditions are mental health related and I’ve been on NHS waiting lists for years and struggling to pay privately for therapy so now I can fund the two sessions a week I desperately need. But as PPs have said, you can spend it on whatever you like! It is quite overwhelming though isn’t it, I hadn’t realised it would be backdated either and I never have any money so seeing it on my account was a (pleasant) shock!

FeelSoAwful · 20/01/2022 06:17

I’m on the higher rate too so my mobility goes on my Motability car which is a lifesaver, and the daily living goes on paying for weekly psychotherapy (severe mental health probs) and a cleaner

Intothelight123 · 21/01/2022 09:06

I spend mine on taxis, takeaway when I just cant cook and me and the children just need some warm dinner. Therapy. You can basically spend it on anything that's going to help your day to day living. AFAIK the only thing you can't spend it on is gambling or tobacco products.

camperqueen54 · 17/02/2022 21:00

My dd has just been awarded the higher rate plus back pay and she's going to learn to drive and get a car on motability to free me up as I have to drive her pretty much everywhere. She gets the money paid to her. I would like her to pay for some help too with her room but I'm not sure if there is such a thing.

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