Does anyone claim PIP for mental health disorders?

[BackAgainSlimLady]

Wondering if I can get help financially for this.

For context; I have generalise anxiety, severe health anxiety, panic disorder, social phobia and depression (I know, I’m all shades of fcked up)

I’ve recently quit my 9-5 job as the stress and anxiety of it all was just too much, on top of being a parent to two young children aswell.

I have however resolved it with a super relaxed new job, it’s only 10 hours a week, a couple hours each evening, fits around school ect. It’s much more easy on my mind for now.

but - money is an issue. We’re super super tight now I’m not getting a full wage. We’re literally living to the penny with no savings ect. But I just could hack it anymore and DH knew I wouldn’t be here now if I carried on.

I do see the PIP place says you can claim for mental health.. but surely it’s not as easy as “I suffer from XYZ” “yep sure here’s some money”

so my question is, if you claim PIP for mental health, how/why/what was needed? I’m trying to get a feel for whether I’d be entitled or not.

thanks in advance ☺️

You can see how you’d score on the various lists of points online, benefits and work has a good one https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

My DB does. He has anxiety and bipolar which effects his day to day life to the extent of not being able to work/travel, though PIP seems to be absolute potluck over who gets it (DM doesn't, is terminally ill and has insane mobility/living needs but keeps getting rejected).

I'd apply and see what happens. Be prepared to appeal as the first application rarely is successful.

You can't claim for mental health; just mental ill health. You don't have to have a physical illness or disability to claim PIP, but it depends on how limiting your difficulties are.

I get PIP but for a spinal condition; PIP is awarded for the difficulty your condition causes you day to day. You need to be specific when filling in the form about the restrictions and difficulties your condition causes you, list any medication you take, and make sure to write about your worst days, and the effects of that. Even then it seems pot luck on who gets awarded PIP. I've had scoliosis and spinal arthritis for years, which isn't going to improve, and I consider myself lucky to get PIP. I found the Benefits & Work website helpful.

You have to show you live with these problems the majority of the time. 4 days out of 7.

You will need considerable proof to evidence and substantiate your claim.

If you look on you tube there is a lot on there about PIP the claim the assessors and the appeals process.

@BackAgainSlimLady

Have you had therapy and/or treatment for your conditions? Are you on medications to help you manage them?
My DC has autism/ADHD/depression/anxiety/disordered eating etc plus a physical medical condition that's impacted by the MH issues. They've just been awarded PIP on appeal with standard rates for both care + mobility. It has taken us a few years to get an award but I've spent the last few years building up medical evidence via the hospital, GP and care teams to strengthen DC's case.
It's not the condition itself that gets you PIP under MH issues but it's how it effects your life day to day. You've already had to give up a job then that does show that your life is being limited. It's worth subscribing to Benefits & Work as suggested above and having a look at the CAB's PIP advice pages - I used both to do our last application - B+W is worth every penny for a year subscription.
It's worth you writing a list of how your conditions effect you every day looking at good days and bad ones and you have nothing to lose in applying although it is stressful. Do you have a MH coach or advisor who can help?

Yes, lots of people do.
It asks you your illnesses and how long you've had them.
Then it's about the tasks you can and can't do each day. So its about how badly your MH impacts your ability to bathe, cook, eat, go out, pay bills, socialise, etc.
They ask if you can always, sometimes of never do a bunch of normal tasks..then you get points if you can't do it.

I have never considered claiming it even though I took early retirement recently for just these sorts of problems

I imagine their criteria would judge you fit for work. I'm guessing that most people with mental health conditions in receipt of PIP have much more severely disabling conditions, such as schizophrenia

You can work and claim PIP @AlbertCamusflage, it’s paid to help with the additional costs of disability.

@AlbertCamusflage
It's not PIP's job to decide or judge if someone is fit/not fit to work. Work isn't actually mentioned in the application at all. I get PIP (due to physical conditions) and still work P/T but I can't cook on my own or prep meals, travel on my own or walk any distances. My DC does voluntary P/T work but can't engage with/in unknown situations, travel alone very well, cook, wash etc and needs actual help in administering their life saving meds etc. At no point has working ever been asked about nor has whether you're sign off etc.
I use my PIP to 'buy in' the extra help I need and pay for travel etc.

I claim PIP for mental health illnesses and physical illnesses.

It's not an easy journey to claim. You have to provide evidence as to how your illnesses affect you day to day, backed up with reports from doctors and specialists. You will have to have an assessment, either in person or on the phone/video.

I've claimed for 3yrs despite being 53 and illness starting at 14. I was asked to fill in a renewal form last August, September time. I sent over 150 pages of supporting medical evidence from the 3yrs since my last award, and still don't have a decision. They're still 'reviewing my claim'.

In short, it's not an easy benefit to get.

Renewals are currently taking up to 53 weeks it’s not specific to your claim so do t worry , it just won’t have been looked at yet.

Thanks all for the advice so far. As for
those who have asked questions and for a bit more background:

Ive been in and out of therapy year years, since I was in my mid-teens. I have high intensity therapy; it’s hit and miss on how much and if this helps. I often end up going through a bad patch, not getting back to anyone and then I’m signed off for no response.. then I pluck up the courage to get back into it.. currently waiting 20 weeks so far to get seen again.

I don’t take medication, I’ve been offered but my health anxiety prevents me (worried about side effects and allergic reactions) and also the fact I often forget to take medication and I know that you have to be careful with SSRI’s with taking them consistently.

The affects of daily life is what complicated this process for me. I mean, I have no mobility issues. But I won’t often leave the house alone unless to get to work or do the school drop off. I won’t go out leisurely on my own. I can’t just go for walks or shopping ect, my brain just won’t let me and catastrophises. I can eat a meal, I can cook and dress myself.. so I feel ‘able’ but I do feel like my mental health does limit my life in a negative way. I’m just not sure if that’s what qualifies.

really appreciate the advice so far!

R.E Evidence, NHS therapy would have a record of my therapy apppintments ect. Also I was recently signed off work by the GP due to stress and depression. I have a follow up appointment with them and they’ve also got record of my mental health for many years.

@OldTinHat
PIP are several years behind on renewals. I was due my renewal assessment this month having completed my forms back in August but I just got a letter moving the renewal on a year due to a backlog. PIP are concentrating on new claims so renewals are being pushed to the back of the queue. It's very likely that it will get pushed on another 12 months next January. So, if you haven't heard anything than you'll probably get a letter too I suppose.

I have bipolar disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and a host of physical issues. I was not awarded it. Pot luck I think.

@BackAgainSlimLady
My DC can do a very familiar journey on their own, such as getting a bus to voluntary work or to college, but couldn't plan a journey to get to a hospital appointment or anywhere 'unknown'. When the bus broke down last year they had a complete melt down because the 'journey' had become 'unfamiliar and dangerous' to them - they often don't leave the house for days because the thought of it completely incapacitates them. They're getting standard mobility because even the thought of going somewhere different incapacitates them. In your case you can do the very familiar of work or school run but anything outside of that causes you overwhelming psychological distress etc and you need help etc

I did for a while but it was when I was incredibly ill. I have bipolar and when I was very unwell with both auditory and visual hallucinations I needed support 24/7.

I also have GAD, get panic attacks and I struggle with depression, but I don’t qualify now.

Sounds like Pip would just be a plaster for you, you need help with the issues

It’s not the actual condition that qualifies you, it’s how you are affected by it and if you meet the criteria. It’s quite prescriptive. Do you have any problems cooking and eating a meal, taking medication, washing and dressing yourself, using the toilet, managing money. For neurodiversity or mental health issues this can mean can you do those things without being prompted or supervised. If you have no issue with these then you’ll likely not get PIP.

I have GAD, MDD, OCD and BPD (I'm obviously working on collecting the entire alphabet ) I get high rate care and standard mobility. I got it straight off after assessment.
I score highly because I'm not safe to be left alone, I will panic and that can lead to self harm. I need to be reminded to eat and bath because I will just rot if left to my own devices, I can't go out alone as that leads to panic attacks too as does going out anywhere that's not in my "safe zone" and even that can be unpredictable.

My son claims PIP, he has autism with no learning disabilities and he works nearly full time (0 hours contract shift work so it varies). PIP is all about looking after yourself and if you can travel without help. It's difficult because they ask very specific questions and some people can be significantly disabled but not meet the criteria. Also when filling in the form you sometimes need to include extra details that aren't asked, for example with the medication question one of my sons doesn't take regular medication so I was just going to write not applicable but then I thought I could write in that he can't take paracetamol if he has a headache because he took an overdose previously so we have to keep all medications locked up and he has to ask us if he needs anything like that. Also he says he feels fine when actually he is bleeding a lot so that went on the form in the medicine section too.

@DragonFly98 Wow. I did not know that. Thank you! I shall remove my panicking hat.

@MothralovesGojira Thank you as well!

No idea how you actually get awarded PIP.
I have two chronic illnesses and pretty severe MH issues to boot.
I’m talking periods of being actively suicidal, under psychiatric care, on quitiapine plus AD plus beta blockers, rarely interacting with people/leaving the house outside of my very, very pt job, can’t even open the door to the home shopping delivery etc etc but I am not eligible for PIP, even after asking for mandatory reconsideration.