Surely there's benefits for people like me

[Bpdqueen]

I'm a single adult, kids moved out I work 30 hrs a week my take home pay after tax and NI is around £1000 4 weekly. My mortgage payments are £450 a month. Leaving £550 a month for all bills food petrol the only benefit I get is 25% of council tax which brings ct down to £100ish a month. I used to get working tax credit but I apparently earn to much I have lots of medical conditions but I don't think anything enough to claim pip as I'm Mobile and capable of looking after myself and working. Am I missing something or am I expected to be able to live on this.
Aibu - yes that's more than enough to live on.
Yanbu - no you should be entitled to help on such a low income

Just over 2 years ago, I had a mental breakdown. I spent 3 months in a psychiatric hospital, went back to work, had a mini breakdown so had to go back to being a sales assit at 20hrs then down to 12hrs. In Sept I had to finally hand in my notice as my MH wasn't good enough. I feel tired all the time, don't sleep well, have to get Botox for my migraines and nearly every day I am in an internal fight with myself not to self harm or worse.
Thankfully my husband works, and we just about manage, but the guilt I feel in not being able to contribute is awful. He also is working at home as neither him or me feel it's safe for me to be home alone. I can go out without him, but need to have my 'comfort' tool with me, which isn't seen as a good thing.

I have anxiety, but can attend some occasions as long as I take my diazapam.
I want to work, but know I can't until my MH is stable enough, but I worry I'll never get there as the smallest thing can set m off to thinking of self harming. I'm tired of fighting with myself, of being tired etc, and all this adds to the pressure I have put my DH in. I don't think I should be entitled to anything, but not being able to contribute in anyway makes things worse.
Not even sure why I've posted all that, but in a roundabout way, I just wanted to say I feel for you.x

Thankyou for sharing your story I hope your getting the help you deserve and that one day things will get a little easier xx

If you have paid enough National insurance contributions in the past 2-3 years then you could likely claim New style ( contributions based ) ESA. This is non means tested so would not be affected by your husbands income or savings. Depending on your husbands earnings, and other factors like whether you pay rent etc you may also qualify for Universal credit which is means tested. You could also look at PIP if you struggle with everyday living and / or mobility which includes things like whether you can go out alone, do you have anxiety, panic attacks, need someone with you etc to keep you safe. PIP is also non means tested.

We have a mortgage. I have no idea how much NI I have paid, certainly none since Sept.
I sometimes have panic attacks. Like if we go to the supermarket and we go to different aisles and he isn't where I think he is or can't see him right away, then I do start getting panicky. I do go out myself, but need to have my diazapam & my safety tool( Stanley blades) with me as reassurance. I hate it but I feel like I can't even think of looking into things as it's just too hard mentally.
I got discharged from my CPN as I was under psychology, but we are ending that as we have done CBT, but I'm not in the right headspace to do the trauma work.
Thanks for the info though.

You too.x

BPD is rarely a reason why PIP is given to top up your income.

As you’re managing 30 hours despite BPD and physical conditions, they’d want to know why you can’t manage more or downsize to a one-bed?

And if you’re running a household independently, paying your mortgage, managing to feed, dress, wash and work enough hours to make ends meet, I’m not sure why you’d need to apply for benefits?

Op also has heart problems. Sounds to me and others on this thread she could get PIP. Maybe best to read about the full situation before commenting.

Also, PIP wouldn't be interested in why the OP doesn't downsize etc, that isn't in their remit.

BPD does qualify for PIP, depending on the severity and the treatment regime. There is no condition which precludes anyone from claiming PIP - each case is considered not on the condition itself, but how it affects the person. PIP is tax free, not means tested, and you can work full time and still get it because it’s designed to help with extra costs incurred from living with a disability. You can also spend it how you need to.

I've claimed PIP for MH reasons and noticed that they take it more seriously if you are diagnosed and under the care of the MH team...the OP mentions having a CPN so it sounds like they would take this into account.

You’re right. Generally PIP assessment doesn’t consider mental health conditions unless the claimant is receiving secondary care - consultant led or other specialist mental health services. A lot of people assume that because they are being treated for anxiety/depression by their GP and may be taking anti depressants, that this will count. In most cases it doesn’t.

My DS receives PIP at higher rate for MH issues. He is not under the care of a consultant or MH team. The GP wrote a letter of support for his application.

Good to hear, but he obviously a significant condition if he was awarded the higher rate and again it’s not typical of most peoples’ experience. Unfortunately a lot of claimants come up against a brick wall with their GP, as they dont have the time to specifically provide evidence that’s relevant to the descriptors - most just provide copies of notes and prescription lists, and a lot charge a fee even for that. I think most PIP claimants assume that the assessment providers will request further medical evidence if it’s needed - after all the application form asks for contact details of any health professionals involved. The fact is that they very rarely do, and if claimants don’t obtain their own, they’re mostly at the mercy of the assessor and their subsequent report.

Agree people can get PIP for BPD but it’s generally lower rate PIP and you have to jump through hoops to get it, even if you’ve been an inpatient and have a letter from psychiatrist etc. I’ve never met anyone in receipt of PIP for BPD if they’re working and making ends meet, in all the years I’ve worked in psychiatry… but that’s not to say it isn’t worth trying.

a lot of patients with BPD challenge the diagnosis as rapid-cycling bipolar ad can present in a similar way.

I’m not sure about the other conditions, but letters from your consultants and an OT would help your claim.

Very difficult to claim PIP for any mental health condition unless the claimant is receiving secondary care and the supporting medical evidence is relevant. Assessors don’t necessarily have any experience of mental health conditions either - it’s not deemed essential as they receive ‘training’ to be a ‘disability analyst’. My advice to anyone claiming PIP for any reason is to get as much supporting evidence as you can, and don’t rely on the DWP collecting medical evidence from the health professional contacts requested on the application form - in most cases they don’t and if you don’t supply supporting evidence yourself, you’re at the mercy of the assessors’ report.

‘Evidence’ can include reports from GP’s and consultants, but it can also include things like letters of support from family or friends who know your condition well and provide you with support. If you have a care plan from social services or other care agency, this is good evidence, as it speaks directly to the type of care you need and the amount. Straightforward reports of your condition are rarely any use because it’s not your disability DWP are interested in, it’s the effect of it on your day to day life. So any supporting evidence needs to be relevant to the activities assessed.