to apply for PIP?

[SandyShores99]

I am currently waiting to be assessed for ADHD, and have a diagnosis of PTSD due to domestic abuse and sexual abuse, which I am medicated for. My GP has suggested I apply for PIP, but I don't know if I can put myself through the stress of it if I'm more likely than not to be rejected.

I am a lone parent and feel like my mental health is spiralling. I'm a good mum bit struggle to cook good meals and only eat one meal a day, when I force myself to cook for my child. I feel embarrassed even writing this and scared my parenting will be judged, but I really am a good mum.

I don't socialise in crowds anymore as I find it too stressful, and get flashbacks when I see someone in the same uniform as my ex (panic attacks). I take propranolol for this.

I feel like I'm in hiding and procrastinating my life away. Everything is a rush. Nothing is planned properly.

I forgot how to get to my mums house the other day which I've driven to dozens and dozens of times and had to pull over and put my sat nav on.

I forgot my pin number.

My house is a mess.

I ended up on an improvement plan at one of my previous workplaces even though I'm intelligent and have a university degree because I just wasn't functioning properly.

I feel like some help would be amazing but really don't feel like I deserve it or am eligible as I do cope. Just about.

My dad tells me I'm not coping I'm just existing and should take all the help I can get. He says this kindly and is a huge support to me.

I know nothing of PIP. Can anyone advise?

I recently applied for PIP due to GAD, depression, OCD and PTSD. I can't work due to my mental health, and it really limits my quality of life.
Unfortunately, I was scored zero on every aspect of both daily living and mobility after a telephone assessment. Essentially, because I was adequately caring for my children, I was deemed as being capable. Just sharing as this might be a similar situation to yourself. I don't have the energy to appeal it and honestly I'm mortified after going into great detail about my intrusive thoughts, compulsions, nightmares etc which impact on my ability to execute basic self-care, my needs were just totally invalidated. So I can't even consider giving it anymore headspace.
If you have the spoons it is definitely worth a shot but I would say - if you're in a very vulnerable place - it might not be a helpful or productive process to get yourself involved in right now, when it is so very hard to be 'awarded' anything for mental health needs.

Yes unfortunately this is often the way it is. The PIP descriptors are so narrow, that if you can cook for someone else, dress them etc, leave the house to take the kids somewhere you are unlikely to score points. PIP isn't about being able to work or not though - have you looked at whether you would qualify for income replacement benefits like ESA or the LCWRA element of Universal credit instead ? For UC , as it is means tested, partners income would be taken into consideration but may be worth looking into ?
I also think the PIP phone assessments do people no favours either- I appreciate some people can find it difficult to see a health assessor face to face but honestly sometimes these assessors need to see the distress face to face - they use it against you - if you sound vaguely ok on a phone call you won't score points for communication etc. It's an absolutely rubbish system.

Apologies if that wasn't clear, I appreciate it's not about being able to work or not, that was just for context. I do get ESA which is something. I'll look into UC, thank you.
I totally agree about the telephone assessment. The report stated I didn't sound anxious and established good rapport, but I was quite obviously crying throughout and very panicky. I would probably have cancelled a face to face appointment rather than put myself through it though so swings and roundabouts I guess!

Definitely apply and get some support from your local CAB to fill in the forms if needed.

Also don't hesitate to follow the appeal process if needed.

They have a tendency to reject claims at the first stage to try to discourage people...

It is an awful system full of dirty tricks with a high rate of people being awarded PIP after an appeal process.

it does not matter if you don't have a full diagnosis yet.

Being able to work or not is not relevant, as is the ability to look after children or, in my dd's case, the fact that she did well in her GCSEs. But ... during the phone assessment, the assessor will use the fact you can do all those things to say you can do other the other things in the criteria and not award you any points.

PS the fact that you can drive means you can do anything. If you believe the DWP.

Be aware of the leading questions that the assessor will ask you. They sound like they are interested in your life but really are looking for reasons to disallow the application. They sound sympathetic but don't be sucked in. Always emphasise the difficulties in relation to the criteria.

I asked for permission to record the phone assessment and got it transcribed. I cannot use it formally but was helpful to refresh my memory. I went back through the notes for evidence of bias on the part of the assessor which I used for the mandatory reconsideration and appeal.

Go on the basis that you will have to go all the way to appeal (where your chances of success dramatically reverse). Don't let the DWP gaslight you into thinking you are coping better than you think and it is all in your head. It is a battle of attrition. Everything before appeal is gathering evidence for your case.

Appeal appeal appeal.