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AIBU?

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Original poster

PIP

312 replies

Ostagazuzulum · 06/12/2023 23:28

I know this is going to be controversial. That's not my intention.

I want to stress that I'm not having a go at anyone who gets benefits. I'm just curious about pip and how it's justified.

One of my friends today has told me that they were recently approved for pip in higher scale. Going to be getting around £700 a month apparently. She doesn't claim any other benefits. She has fibromyalgia. Her and her husband both have middle management full time jobs earning around £80k per year between the pair of them. They own their own home and she's very open about having around £12k in savings. Three children all of school age.

They're intending on using the money for holidays mostly.

I'm just baffled how it's justified.

She definitely suffers with the condition, can sometimes struggle with mobility. and you can see she's in pain. But what's the purpose of pip? Her condition isn't incurring any extra costs and isn't being spent on day to day help. Why do we have it for those circumstances?

OP posts:
keye · 07/12/2023 13:28

Forgot to add picture

PIP
anniegun · 07/12/2023 13:29

I know some pensioners who are also really rich and use their state pensions on frivolous things. Maybe they should be banned form doing this?

Millymollymaisy · 07/12/2023 14:06

Congratulations to your friend for being able to get pip at the maximum rates, it’s a hard process and many are denied . It’s not a benefit that’s affected by working or savings . She might find the holidays help with her pain if she chooses warm and hot countries.

Julen7 · 07/12/2023 14:09

anniegun · 07/12/2023 13:29

I know some pensioners who are also really rich and use their state pensions on frivolous things. Maybe they should be banned form doing this?

Not really the same thing as pensioners have paid into the system over a number of years to qualify for state pension

TomeTome · 07/12/2023 14:11

The fact is that pip isn't a benefit for those on a low income its provided instead of providing support directl.y. There are other ways of doing it. We could for example buy cars and wheelchairs and other equipment for other areas of there life.l honestly think it would, become unworkable very very quickly
Think far better to let people choose what shits them and their life.

TomeTome · 07/12/2023 14:15

Julen7 · 07/12/2023 14:09

Not really the same thing as pensioners have paid into the system over a number of years to qualify for state pension

Show quote history

But we are talking about working Disabled people who presumably have paid
Into the system too?

We all pay for benefits for people who can't work and expect to be in recent of benefits it we become unemployed.

TheFormidableMrsC · 07/12/2023 14:16

I wish my friend would claim PIP for fibromyalgia. The pain she lives with. Her husband is a very high earner, she is not. She won't do it because she's fearful of this sort of judgement.

MyOtherNameToday · 07/12/2023 14:28

I always have mixed feelings about these threads.

The best way to reduce PIP would be to have a properly functioning health service including funding psychiatric services properly. No one should be on PIP for life for depression or anxiety for example - they should have access to the mental health support and treatments they need, including trauma therapy.

Physical disability is so frustrating because health care is broken. People are becoming disabled because they're not getting timely access to treatment and their conditions are getting worse. My own condition worsened because it took months for me to see a neurologist followed by more months waiting for treatment. In this time my condition progressed and I became more disabled. This was completely avoidable.

Sadly I'm not a millionaire and didn't have a spare twenty grand lying about for private treatment but I AM one of the people who has paid tax all my life. Treatment (eventually) and PIP allow me to KEEP paying tax. It is literally a no brainer but somehow our politicians are creating a system which disables people through poor healthcare AND then stigmatises them for it! PIP is one of the few benefits that actually empowers people to be social contributors.

x2boys · 07/12/2023 14:39

Naptrappedmummy · 07/12/2023 13:09

This. I’ve never met anyone who has begrudged any form of benefit to people who very clearly need it. But the sort of condition disability benefits are used for have massively expanded, and it does seem to be more a ‘taking people at their word’ approach because so many of those conditions have no pathology. There’s a lot of info exchange on what criteria needs to be met and how to tick the boxes, which risks people who are not capable of navigating the system missing out, while people who have less severe conditions qualify as they’ve done their homework.

Show quote history

They don't take and people at their own word though you do need evidence of course there are people who try it on I'm on various DLA Facebook groups and I have seen people who try and claim for very tenuous reasons or send no evidence and then wander what they haven't been awarded but in most cases of will.need professional evidence to back up.your claim

Potentialmadcatlady · 07/12/2023 14:58

tuttifuckinfruity · 07/12/2023 12:45

I wonder this too, OP.

I know someone with fibromyalgia. But hers only flares up on the rare occasion she would have to do something she doesn't want to do. She hasn't worked for 20+ years. Goes to concerts, festivals all the time.

She also uses PIP for holidays.

I have a friend who has many disabilities due to cancer, arthritis and medical treatments to save her life. She has surgeries on a yearly basis and during those times she is unable to do anything for herself. In between those times she goes to many concerts with a carer and she also goes on holiday. She does that so she has something to look forward too when she is spending weeks in hospital in terrible pain. Do you think she isn’t entitled to do that????
People need to stop judging

Naptrappedmummy · 07/12/2023 15:04

x2boys · 07/12/2023 14:39

They don't take and people at their own word though you do need evidence of course there are people who try it on I'm on various DLA Facebook groups and I have seen people who try and claim for very tenuous reasons or send no evidence and then wander what they haven't been awarded but in most cases of will.need professional evidence to back up.your claim

Show quote history

I agree but that professional evidence is usually still word of mouth ie complaining to the GP about this or that symptom, something that cannot be verified via medical testing.

keye · 07/12/2023 15:17

I agree but that professional evidence is usually still word of mouth ie complaining to the GP about this or that symptom, something that cannot be verified via medical testing.

How many people do you think get PiP because they told the GP their symptoms yes have had absolutely no medical investigation?

Seriously

JaceLancs · 07/12/2023 15:24

The few weeks on holiday each year I spend somewhere warmer are the most pain relief I get
I can’t use public transport so if I’m too ill or in too much pain to drive I have to get a taxi
Some of my benefits go on private physio and hydrotherapy
I have better quality hearing aids and glasses than the nhs provides
my special diet costs a lot more, I have to buy over the counter medicines as well as pay the annual prescription fee
I am currently considering if I can afford private counselling
I work full time but also like to have some savings in case I need to take more sick leave than my company pays for

TomeTome · 07/12/2023 15:51

I agree but that professional evidence is usually still word of mouth ie complaining to the GP about this or that symptom, something that cannot be verified via medical testing.
This simply isn’t how it works. You need letters detailing your needs from consultants and specialists plus test results and evidence from teachers etc. Even then you will probably need an interview….and then do similar for a BB

LadyKenya · 07/12/2023 16:52

TheFormidableMrsC · 07/12/2023 14:16

I wish my friend would claim PIP for fibromyalgia. The pain she lives with. Her husband is a very high earner, she is not. She won't do it because she's fearful of this sort of judgement.

This makes no sense at all though. Unless her friends, or complete strangers have access to her financial accounts, why on earth should anybody know? It is down to people to keep their business private.

WaitingForMojo · 07/12/2023 17:31

Ok, but if she takes more than twice as long as could reasonably be expected (including any breaks) she is not considered to be able to manage the task to the required standard.

If she isn’t able to stand reliably for long enough, then she could benefit from a perching stool in the kitchen and a shower seat. Those are aids.

If she isn’t able to walk the required distance without stopping to catch her breath, she qualifies.

if there is constant unpredictable risk of a severe asthma attack where she would need assistance, that qualifies as requiring supervision.

etc etc

She may well qualify. The system does stink, but please don’t think that she isn’t eligible because she has been turned down on the first application. The majority of people are.

Pigeonqueen · 07/12/2023 17:47

Naptrappedmummy · 07/12/2023 15:04

I agree but that professional evidence is usually still word of mouth ie complaining to the GP about this or that symptom, something that cannot be verified via medical testing.

Show quote history

Complaining to a GP? Are you seriously trying to say that people on the highest rates of PIP are able to claim them based on complaining to a GP? 😳 What?

I am under 5 different specialists. I have about 8 severe long term debilitating conditions. One of them alone - lupus- generally qualifies for PIP alone. I have enough medical evidence to fill a library. As do most people with severe health issues. I really doubt people claiming on the basis of moaning at the GP get very far.

sewingstockings · 07/12/2023 17:50

I get pip. I am not fit to work anymore. So get pip.
I pay to go to a hydrotherapy pool to help with balance.
I have to buy pads for incontinence problems.
I get someone to cut my toenails as I am diabetic but I have movement problems so don’t want to accidentally cut myself and lose a toe if it gets infected.
I hate the progressive neurological disease I have.
I enjoyed my job.
Then you have people like you who would prefer me to be stuck at home not able to do anything. Where is the empathy in this world?
I hate the fact I have lost my independence and it’s getting worse.
Then you are begrudged the money to make things easier.
How could I have afforded to buy the electric ride on scooter with no money.
Not everyone is financially comfortable.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/12/2023 17:54

I agree but that professional evidence is usually still word of mouth ie complaining to the GP about this or that symptom, something that cannot be verified via medical testing.

To be able to complain… I’m often too weak to speak. My amazing gp has been nothing but lovely and supportive. I can’t walk more than 10 paces. How is this complaining?

Ladyj84 · 07/12/2023 17:56

Took me years of applying before I got it and I have autism and mental health and mobility problems. How does it help me it pays for a car and a carer

MyOtherNameToday · 07/12/2023 18:10

I applied and got it first time. I have MRIs which show my degeneration quite clearly. They're hard to argue with.

People like me are having to wait months and crawl over broken glass to get it because everyone is treated like a scammer. Those how to get PIP groups disgust me to be honest. I've seen threads on here where people quite openly just fancy a few extra pounds. They cite illnesses without any empirical evidence then complain bitterly when they get zero points. If you are getting zero points ... you don't need PIP.

keye · 07/12/2023 18:44

MyOtherNameToday · 07/12/2023 18:10

I applied and got it first time. I have MRIs which show my degeneration quite clearly. They're hard to argue with.

People like me are having to wait months and crawl over broken glass to get it because everyone is treated like a scammer. Those how to get PIP groups disgust me to be honest. I've seen threads on here where people quite openly just fancy a few extra pounds. They cite illnesses without any empirical evidence then complain bitterly when they get zero points. If you are getting zero points ... you don't need PIP.

I read a woman complaining of n a fb group juts the other day that she didn't get any points. She worked 2 days a week in a pub and could walk for 15 mins at a time is what she told them. Obviously this totally contradicts a claim that you need help to eat/medicate/understand information/toilet etc

Woman was livid Confused

TigerRag · 07/12/2023 18:50

keye · 07/12/2023 18:44

I read a woman complaining of n a fb group juts the other day that she didn't get any points. She worked 2 days a week in a pub and could walk for 15 mins at a time is what she told them. Obviously this totally contradicts a claim that you need help to eat/medicate/understand information/toilet etc

Woman was livid Confused

Show quote history

I've come across a few people who are trying to claim for poor eyesight...but their vision is good enough for them to drive

Pumpkinpie1 · 07/12/2023 18:54

OP step down from your ivory tower and stop judging people. I’m sure the lady in question would rather have her health than a chronic painful condition

mybrainisfull · 07/12/2023 19:01

PIP /DLA was a godsend for us. DD has autism, and the ££ allowed me to reduce my working hours to look after her, and pay towards a private school.
Now she has a motorbility car. She can walk perfectly well, but cannot navigate on foot or by public transport without getting confused or panicked.
There has been a few serious incidents when we have tried in the past. Having a car (with a satnav!!!) has changed her (and our) life.

But just to confirm - she can walk more than 20m!