ESA but not PIP

[Orangesandlemons77]

I was wondering why people would claim ESA but not PIP as well. Sorry hope this doesn't sound nosy.

I'm on both and I found ESA much better in terms of claiming. They wrote to my GP with a form to fill in meaning it was all done on paper

PIP on the other hand where a bit of a nightmare. Ignoring all paperwork, (including the ESA report) not contacting anyone, and making up lies so needed to appeal..

Another difference I found was ESA asked about interactions between conditions whereas PIP didn't- and even tried to pretend one didn't exist.

Therefore I wondered if it was because some people who may be eligible don't claim PIP due to it being not very easy to claim.

I've now been out in ESA support group with no end date / review date and wondering when PIP is reassessed yet again to just let it as not sure I can face it again. But that is sort of letting them 'win' in a way.

Two completely different benefits with different criterea.

One is completely non means tested, the other can be either means tested or not too. You can be eligible for one and not the other.

They are different benefits with different criteria. ESA is about fitness for work and PIP is about the difficulties people have because of their disabilities. many disabled people can work so would have no need to claim ESA. other will need to claim ESA for example because they are off work after an operation but would in no way qualify for a longer term disability benefit like PIP as they will make a full recovery after a few months.

Maybe because they've tried and been turned down again and again? This happened to my brother - receives support group ESA and tried twice for PIP. He decided that because he couldn't be bothered with the assessment again, (been there and done that too and it was horrible) he won't try to apply again.

There two very different things. Not everyone entitled to esa is entitled to PIP. Pip is about care needs.

A friend of mine is in the support group for ESA (well it's part of UC now but same thing) but she wouldn't qualify for PIP. Her mental health stopped her from working but it doesn't cause the issues that get you points under PIP.

I know I would not be able to handle the stress of applying, so have never bothered. I had seen friends driven to suicide over their money being stopped, and having to go to tribunal to get it all back again. I simply can not live like that.

Thanks for the replies.

My PIP is for 5 yrs. Dueo at least time to think about it. I have the option of a paper appeal possibly as I did before.

It seems complex, there was some talk of merging the two together but they don't seem to be, probably because they are different.