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AIBU?

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Original poster

Adult disability payment allowance?

83 replies

KittyKatMcNairn · 07/04/2023 11:52

Hi folks, im writing here to see if anyone has been in the same boat as me.

I am 37 years old with a history of anxiety and depression. I have been on and off antidepressants a lot of my life.

My husband has to deal with all my finances as I physically stress and struggle with anything money related. My social anxiety is horrendous. I thought after having a baby I would be better but nope - my husband has to come places with me unless it’s a familiar place I know. Social gatherings I now take beta blockers for as I come out in a rash over my neck, chest and face as I am so anxious. he has to remind me to take medication otherwise I just don’t take it, he cooks for me as I struggle to read recipes and if he is out to work I go to sleep so I don’t have to cook.

Before my husband done anything for me, my parents done all this. I can’t drive as the thought scares me, I only leave my house if I’m with husband and baby. I can’t read maps unless it’s voiced on my phone.

i applied for ADP (I’m aware this is the equivalent for PIP). They called to book a face to face appointment. What are the chances of winning this? anything to prepare for for the appointment? Any help appreciated thanks 😊

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 07/04/2023 11:55

Think about variability, what can you do on a good day, a normal day, a bad day, a terrible day? How often do you get these? How do you manage things that are essential vs things that are desirable? Look at the award criteria and make some notes about you circumstances.

GoldDustt · 07/04/2023 13:27

Think and talk about your worst days.

SouthCountryGirl · 07/04/2023 13:29

GoldDustt · 07/04/2023 13:27

Think and talk about your worst days.

This is fraud. They want to know how you are most of the time.

Strictlyfanoftenyears · 07/04/2023 13:34

Southcountrygirl, with PIP it is advised to answer questions using your worst days. That is the correct way to fill in those particular forms. It is not fraud to do that.

PoBaFla · 07/04/2023 13:37

The key to being successful with MH issues is really in the evidence you submit. So you are better to get reports from HCPs involved in your care detailing how your condition affects your daily functioning.
Also evidence from people other than your DH who may provide support. So neighbours, friends, people from baby groups, health visitor etc.

Strictlyfanoftenyears · 07/04/2023 13:37

OP you might be better advised to get better treatment if nothing has worked so far. Can you go private at all? How will you get the baby to school when the time comes? How is your husband coping with you? (So many questions.....)

Irritateandunreasonable · 07/04/2023 13:37

SouthCountryGirl · 07/04/2023 13:29

This is fraud. They want to know how you are most of the time.

Show quote history

It’s not fraud at all it’s exactly the same advice any professional would give you.

MrsDoylesDoily · 07/04/2023 13:38

I thought after having a baby I would be better but nope

I can't imagine having a baby would ever make such extreme disability better.

I'd say ask your husband to sit with you and write everything down that you might forget to mention on the day.

MrsDoylesDoily · 07/04/2023 13:39

SouthCountryGirl · 07/04/2023 13:29

This is fraud. They want to know how you are most of the time.

Show quote history

It would be fraud if the OP pretended that her worst days were every day.

But I don't think that's what's being suggested?

Irritateandunreasonable · 07/04/2023 13:40

Very doubtful you’ll get it to be honest UNLESS you have lots of proof - medications and psychiatrists reports, not just GP. If they give it to you temporarily they will expect you to get specific treatment to get better so it won’t be a long term thing.

I empathise with you but they can’t give PIP out to everyone with anxiety and depression so it’s quite a high bar to reach to get an award.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 07/04/2023 13:45

What evidence did you provide?

Blanca87 · 07/04/2023 13:47

Give as much information as possible, you can have your husband and parents provide evidence to support your application too. Social Security Scotland are not punitive as DWP, however there is about 4 month delay in payment. You need to provide as much information as possible about how MH debilitates your everyday life.

Scienceadvisory · 07/04/2023 13:49

Strictlyfanoftenyears · 07/04/2023 13:34

Southcountrygirl, with PIP it is advised to answer questions using your worst days. That is the correct way to fill in those particular forms. It is not fraud to do that.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-fact-sheets/pip-handbook

The official government guidance disagrees with you @Strictlyfanoftenyears . It talks about more than 50% of the time

PIP handbook

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-fact-sheets/pip-handbook

lsanny · 07/04/2023 13:51

Nobody knows OP, it's far too early in ADP roll out for anyone to have a good idea of what may happen. A lot of cases don't have a face to face, is this definitely an assessment? I have heard of people having to show ID face to face if they can't do it online.

I was awarded but i didn't have an assessment, they applied common sense when looking at my conditions (not the same as yours) and they understood that a diagnosis of X means struggles with Y. They understood medication A was given because my limits in B. They also awarded me for 10 years because they know my conditions are not likely to change in the short term.

Having an assessment probably isn't an indication of award or no award, just that perhaps they need more info from you because how your condition affects you can vary massively from how it affects the next person

Scienceadvisory · 07/04/2023 13:53

@KittyKatMcNairn look to see what official guidance is published about ADP. Set out the descriptors that need to be met and examples of how you meet them. Get support from your GP if possible. List out any medication you take.

Please do not only talk about your worst days. If they award based on e.g. you saying you can't leave the house, but later on they investigate you and see you leaving the house with your husband multiple times, you risk being accused of fraud. My advice is just be honest. Explain when you can do things, when you can't, what the impact on your life is etc.

Scienceadvisory · 07/04/2023 13:57

Irritateandunreasonable · 07/04/2023 13:37

It’s not fraud at all it’s exactly the same advice any professional would give you.

Show quote history

It is fraud, read the link I've provided from gov.uk, @SouthCountryGirl is completely right. When it comes to PIP they want to know about more than 50% of the time. It seems unlikely ADP would be very different. They want to know the spectrum of the condition. And I would be interested to know what professionals are saying just talk about worst days. My guess is they are not experts in state benefits and should not be giving advice about claiming benefits.

Irritateandunreasonable · 07/04/2023 14:03

Scienceadvisory · 07/04/2023 13:57

It is fraud, read the link I've provided from gov.uk, @SouthCountryGirl is completely right. When it comes to PIP they want to know about more than 50% of the time. It seems unlikely ADP would be very different. They want to know the spectrum of the condition. And I would be interested to know what professionals are saying just talk about worst days. My guess is they are not experts in state benefits and should not be giving advice about claiming benefits.

Show quote history

Ok fine, it’s fraud. Tell it to doctors, teachers, social workers, family support workers and the CAB - they all advise the same thing.

MrsDoylesDoily · 07/04/2023 14:09

Irritateandunreasonable · 07/04/2023 14:03

Ok fine, it’s fraud. Tell it to doctors, teachers, social workers, family support workers and the CAB - they all advise the same thing.

Show quote history

Do you have any evidence of this or is it just the ones you know?

If the OP could get advice like that in writing, it would really help her case.

lsanny · 07/04/2023 14:12

It's lying if you tell them about your worst day and suggest it is every day.

RattlewhenIwalk · 07/04/2023 14:16

https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment it sounds identical to PIP but just north of the border. So describe your worst days,
like PIP you may be asked what proportion your bad days are. I believe they'll loo for additional evidence from as my health care professionals you've been involved with.

Adult Disability Payment

Information about Adult Disability Payment including payment rates, who should apply, how to apply, what happens after you apply and what to do if you disagree with a decision.

https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment

RattlewhenIwalk · 07/04/2023 14:17

Excuse bad typing

Babyroobs · 07/04/2023 14:19

GoldDustt · 07/04/2023 13:27

Think and talk about your worst days.

I really wish people would just stop giving this crap advice.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/04/2023 14:21

They will ask you for each question/criteria - how often, how many days out of 7 etc.

It is still important to talk about the worst you routinely are, but quantify that with how often it is that bad.

So for example, climbing the stairs - I can do it, if its my own stairs, no one elses now - but only a couple of times a day, very slowly, in pain, and I risk falling every time - and that is every day so 7/7.

Sometimes I have to have my DP place one foot on the step (sometimes the ability to lift my foot that far is just gone), that happens on average, 1/7.

They're generally going to be awarding for things that happen more often than not - so my 1/7 need for help to place a foot on a step is not what gains me the points on that particularly element. But the every day inability to do it safely, repeatedly, in a reasonable timeframe without pain etc, that does gain me the points.

Babyroobs · 07/04/2023 14:22

If it's the same as PIP then you need to try to provide solid medical evidence to support what you are saying your difficulties are. In my experience this is what holds the most weight. I had a client recently who had to go to tribunal and obtained an OT report between originally scoring 0 points and then going before the tribunal and being awarded standard daily living. the panel seemed to indicate it was the report which had changed things, in fact the dwp offered her an award one week before tribunal based on this report.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/04/2023 14:27

Babyroobs · 07/04/2023 14:19

I really wish people would just stop giving this crap advice.

Show quote history

It isn't crap though - people are told this because typically when living with chronic illness and disability, we are very focused on what we can do, its not sustainable to live your life concentrating on what you can't do.

So often people will fill out forms incorrectly, making it sound as if they're far more able than they really are -that might sound fucking stupid to you, but I know I've done it myself.

This is why for PIP certainly, you are now asked how often this happens, is this every day or most days or some days or how many days a week etc.