PIP for high functioning autism?

[Saramia]

The specialist who diagnosed me with autism told me to apply for PIP. I struggle with social situations and people exclude me because they don’t like me. This makes it difficult to get a job because employers also don’t like me. When I have managed to get work, I’ve been sacked for being “weird”, eg sitting in the cupboard on my lunch break because it’s dark and nobody can talk to me.

I applied for PIP but got 0 points because I’m functional and independent. I have no physical disabilities. I can cook, eat, wash and dress myself. I can drive and with the help of satnav I can get around (going to unfamiliar places makes me anxious but I have ways to cope with that). I can read and I’m qualified to postgraduate level. I can express and understand verbal information - I don’t like talking to people and it makes me anxious and they dislike me, but the PIP criteria are focused on whether I CAN do it, and I can. To get even a single point you have to use an aid or appliance to communicate, or receive support with communicating, and I don’t.

There’s nothing in the PIP criteria which covers “I can force myself to talk to people for a short period and we can understand each other, but afterwards I’ll be shaking and possibly have a meltdown, and I certainly can’t cope with being exposed to people for an 8 hour shift every day”. PIP is only focused on the first part - ie I CAN do it. It makes no provision for the meltdown I have after forcing myself to do it, or the constant anxiety I feel if others are around and might try to speak to me.

I went back to my GP and she said “but you’re unable to work due to autism so you should get PIP?” But it seems that PIP doesn’t actually cover my difficulties. It’s for people who CAN’T function - it’s not for people who can force themselves to function but experience great anxiety and panic whilst doing so. It’s not for people who can function but get discriminated against by others and that’s why they don’t function. PIP is to pay for care needs - it’s not for people who don’t specifically need care but are excluded from work due to their disability, and it’s not for people who need money to live on because they’re not working due to their disability.

I have the option to appeal the decision and they’ve booked me in for a face to face meeting, but I’m considering cancelling because I don’t feel like I can show any evidence that I’m unable to function. Because I can function. Maybe only for short periods, with a lot of anxiety, and I frequently get discriminated against and blocked from what I want to do, but in the most basic sense I CAN function. Which seems to indicate that I’m not entitled to any benefits?

I tell people my PIP pays for luxuries if they're cheeky enough to hint or ask.

Because it is none of their business and I know it winds them up.

Nowhere does it state, when a person is awarded PIP, what it should be spent on. It is down to the person, if they are able, to decide how that money could help best manage their needs.

Threads like these are a good reminder, why I keep certain things private in rl.

I'm going to start telling people I spend it on gigolos, gin and gogo dancing.

😆@tacosforbreakfast

…and the rest you just squander?

Yip ;)

He will score points if he is only able to heat food in the microwave. Also if he needs help to put shoes on (socks?)… in which case can he wash his feet? Bend to get food out of cupboards? Is he at risk of falls? Can he walk without pain and at a normal speed on the majority of days?

That's my point - everyone has something they're impacted by! That's life! Where should the threshold be?

There's already a threshold for pip

The threshold should be if can't meet the descriptors in the PIP form reliably. Which is the current threshold.

For clarity:

"For a descriptor to apply to a claimant they must be able to reliably complete the activity as described in the descriptor. Reliably means whether they can do so:

•safely – in a manner unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person, either during or after completion of the activity
•to an acceptable standard
•repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required, and
•in a reasonable time period – no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a non-disabled person would normally take to complete that activity

DWP PIP handbook

This.

I do not know the answer to that. That is why people apply for PIP, and go through assessment etc, where I guess, these things are determined.

I can't do any of those things you list (due to arthritis in all my joints) but don't expect to claim PIP as a result. I either adapt or rely on my family help. Minimal additional expense is incurred.

How have you adapted? (genuine question - I have really struggled and have had to purchase aids myself as they haven't been available in good time on the NHS)

Long shoes horns / sponge on a stick for example (there was an excellent MN thread on aids recently). And taking the bus instead of walking long distances! And I just don't use stuff in high or low cupboards in the kitchen! Or just wait for someone to get me something. And I am really trying & practicing walking more carefully and lifting my feet higher to stop tripping.

My point was more that there is encouragement - such as the poster I quoted asking questions about what couldn't be done by another person - and support to make a successful claim for PIP but I don't actually need it.

I have shoe horns and a sponge on a stick and wet wipes and shampoo and conditioner caps and there's no buses here but thank you.

I understand what you are saying, and it may not be the point that you are making, but applying for PIP could pay for help for someone in a similar situation, who may not have anybody whatsoever who can help them.

So that’s your choice not to claim….doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t

Good for you. I’m talking about eligibility here, not a personal choice as to whether to claim.

It depends whether your condition impacts your ability to carry out the 12 activities of daily living to a reliable standard on the majority of days.

That is the threshold. Not whether you incur additional costs, not whether you can find ways around your condition.

PIP isn’t a handout, it is a statutory entitlement. If you choose not to claim, that’s up to you.

My job is PIP appeals. I know the case law and the descriptors inside out. Whether you want to claim or not is irrelevant, and help from friends and family does constitute ‘assistance from another person’.

Which could be the topic for a whole other thread!

Hi there OneRingToRuleThemAll,

Could you please help me with my pip form? I don't understand how to apply and I'm autistic
Thanknyou

It may be used for higher electric bills as they may tend to stay in the house more often than other people. Getting taxis or for driving as public transportation causes meltdown. Can’t cook or prepare food in a timely manner so either doesn’t eat because they have forgotten, someone needs to remind them or they can get a food delivery service like Wiltshire farm foods.