DWP/PIP. Fucking joke.

[octoberstorms]

Failed assessment back in April (claimed for 2 years successfully for mental health- I'm 20). Assessor lied on feedback and the assessment questions are not related/geared towards people with MH problems at all.

It was the only money I had each month (can't work due to issues). Have been relying on my parents and boyfriend since which I feel awful about and hate.

Put in mandatory recon, which of course was declined (after they 'lost' my first MR despite me doing recorded delivery).

Now waiting for tribunal date. Says it could take 12-18months minimum.

WTF? NHS has been awful, can't get appointments to see a psychiatrist or mental health nurse or do certain therapies as 'I don't qualify for them/meet criteria' or they simply have none available for months on end.

I have literally no support, no money and am severely depressed and anxious. I suffer from ocd & an eating disorder as well so that's gotten so much worse too.

I don't know what the fuck to do, as it gets closer to Christmas I hit get angrier and angrier as I have no money and no life anymore. The £430pm I was claiming gave me so much independence back. I used it for private therapy costs, food costs and part rent to my boyfriend as well as having a little left over for clothes when needed/rare day out.

It's true

It’s 1 million percent not true. I’m a welfare rights officer for a large charity. Have been for several years. Many people work and claim PIP. You absolutely do not have to claim esa.

Esa is an income replacement benefit and is about capability for work , PIP is a long term disability benefit. it is perfectly possible for people to be entitled to either or both, but you absolutely do not have to be claiming ESA to claim PIP.

It's true

Bollocks is ir. I was working 3.5 days a week as a teacher and made a successful claim for PIP (without a face to face assessment).

It is nor means tested, nor is it dependent on other benefits.

@mamandematribu you know full well it isn’t true!

Would you consider moving out? Surely then you would be entitled to the full amount of ESA (Or UC) with housing support. I know it's not an ideal solution but if it's your best opportunity I would most definitely consider it.

Don't be daft @mamandematribu. My husband gets PIP and doesn't claim ESA, because I work too many hours.

My friend who works with me gets PIP.

It's not means tested and you can claim it even if you have thousands in the bank.

It's supposed to be a way to support the extra needs that come with having a disability and is nothing to do with ESA or an other benefits.

The thing is, the Ops DP is not her husband, and neither do they have DCs together or have any commitment to each other that suggests he should support her. They are boyfriend and girlfriend, and how much he earns is irrelevant. I can’t think life is great for him either - big debts, financially supporting OP and dealing with a partner who has MH issues.

Livelovebehappy. If they live together as a couple any means tested benefit will take his wages into account. It doesn't make any difference whether they are married or have kids.

@mamandematribu They are two totally separate benefits

Please don’t give out wrong information like that. It’s hard enough for people to work our potential entitlements without misinformation

PIP is a non means tested benefit that replaced DLA for new claimants. People entitled to it can claim when they are on benefits, are in work or being supported by a partner.

babyroobs I get that. But what I’m trying to say is that people are implying he has a duty to support her financially, and he hasn’t. OP should move into her own place and claim any financial assistance and benefits independently. The current situation is helping neither of them as she is totally reliant on him financially which isn’t a healthy situation, and he is not in a position to support her it seems so it’s going to put a lot of pressure on him.

Livelovebehappy. Op would most likely be worse off in her own place. On Universal credit she would only be entitled to a shared accommodation rate due to her age unless she was lucky and was allocated local authority accommodation. op could be assessed and awarded limited capability for work which would be extra money but there are no guarantees.