To think most autistic people can’t claim PIP?

[Bluefell]

Specifically adults with high functioning autism, level 1 autism, Asperger’s, whatever you want to call it. Maybe you have qualifications, maybe you are married or have kids, maybe you even have a job or drive a car. Do you get PIP?

I have autism and I’m being told I’m not eligible for PIP because I’m “too functional” and I “don’t have any care needs”. I manage on my own (with the help of various adjustments and the support of my DH) but I’ve never worked full time because I find it too overwhelming.

I’m being told that other autistic people receive PIP to enable them to work part-time because they find that work burns them out. So why don’t I receive PIP for the same reason? I’m also being told that people get PIP to pay for counselling to help them cope with autism, or to pay for food deliveries (because the supermarket overwhelms them), or to pay for therapy which helps them to integrate socially and mask better. I would equally benefit from those things but I can’t get PIP.

AIBU to think that most high functioning autistic people like me aren’t able to get PIP? Or is everyone else except me getting it?

I think this has veered off point. Essentially the OP was 'Do people who are cognitively able with ASD diagnosis get PIP to allow them to work part time?'

The answer is very clearly:

Some people with ASD diagnosis who are cognitively able demonstrate enough limitations in their daily function to be awarded PIP.

No people with any diagnosis are awarded PIP in order to reduce their need to work.

Some people with any diagnosis use PIP money they are awarded to reduce their need to work.

Autistic burnout is absolutely worse than someone feeling burnt out. One is a feeling that they have some choice in and control over the outcome. The other is total inability to function.

A nervous breakdown is obviously something different

Because it’s illogical. I don’t understand what PIP is supposed to be used for, which means I can’t apply for it successfully. How can I demonstrate my eligibility if it’s not clear what it’s for? People are saying it’s for care costs, then saying they get it for things that don’t cost money.

The assessment for PIP has nothing to do with what you will use it for. Multiple people have explained this to you. The government don't care what you use it for neither do the PIP assessors. The assessment is based on a set of descriptors, you already know this as you have filled out the form. The form doesn't want to know what you will do with the money and the assessor won't award you based on what you will do with the money.

You only get PIp if you aren’t able to function in a typical way. Even if say, you have a poor memory..if you set reminders have a way around this then you don’t need PIP as you are functioning.
i recently attended a tribunal of a lady who has several mental health diagnosis and is quite unwell. She appealed against a no PIP award and got low rate mobility as she needs support to go out- this isn’t the case for you as presumably you drive yourself around and can go out alone. She didn’t get any daily living as she can prepare a meal and manage money.
You dont fit the descriptors- they don’t care what you use it for.

But those limitations don’t cost me any money. That’s my point. PIP is supposed to be to level the playing field, so you’re not out of pocket. So why would they pay me for something that isn’t costing any money?

Op. Read this again. It answers your question

It isn't for care costs. It is a payment that recognises that the person is limited in their daily function to the extent that they need 'aids', 'prompting', 'supervision', 'assistance', or full support, with activities of daily living, whether these needs are met or unmet, and whether any support given comes by way of paid care or informal support from friends and family.

To qualify, you just need to demonstrate that you need 'aids', 'prompting', 'supervision', 'assistance', or full support, with the activities of daily living that are contained in the PIP form.

If you score 8 points or more across all care descriptors, you'll get standard rate. If you get 12, you'll get enhanced rate.

Same goes for the mobility section. You either need to demonstrate that your walking is very severely compromised, or that you need support to go out on journeys.

I don’t understand what PIP is supposed to be used for, which means I can’t apply for it successfully.

You have been told repeatedly what PIP is for. You have also been told how PIP is assessed. What you would spend PIP on isn’t assessed.

OP, can I suggest you take a step back from the thread. You are just saying the same thing over and refusing to hear everyone explaining to you how it works. This is unlikely to be having a positive impact on your evening. I would go take some time out and return tomorrow if I were you. It's easy to get deep into something but this thread isn't productive or helpful for as long as you are determined to stick with what you think.

And socialising can cost additional money if you have autism.

I use some of my PIP for professional support with interacting with others. Without this support - some of it virtual, some in person - I couldn’t work and couldn’t access the (structured, very limited) non-work activities I do. Also have to pay the extra costs for a support person, obviously, if we go anywhere.

I was going to say YANBU to ask this, as if you are autistic and manage to hold down a full time job, live independently etc, then it can be incredibly hard to successfully claim PIP. But then your subsequent posts have made me change it to YABU, as you just seem bitter you were not successful, and seem to think that people that were, are somehow swinging the lead.

PIP is awarded due to need, not costs. There does not have to be any cost involved. A friend of mine can't leave the house alone due to their anxiety.... so they simply don't go out. Obviously, this costs them nothing, but they are still awarded PIP for it. But if they don't go out, they might be spending more money on things like streaming services, ordering shopping online, ordering hobby supplies etc. It would be perfectly acceptable to spend their PIP money on that.

PIP is notoriously hard to get for everyone though. You could turn up to an assessment as a deaf, blind, paraplegic with Down Syndrome, and still get awarded 0 points because you didn't word things on the form in the way they want you to.

Okay so I’m physically disabled and receive pip. Here are some examples of how I meet one of the criteria, what I COULD use pip for and then what I actually use pip for:

I can’t make my own meals most of the time due to pain. Lots of the things you need to do in order to cook are things I can’t do (chop, mix, grate etc). The pip money means I CAN pay to have my food prepared by a carer, I can buy better quality or nutritious microwavable
meals, pre grated cheese etc. I don’t spend my money on this becauseMy partner cooks all my meals. So instead, I put it towards our bills so I don’t have to work as many hours.

Does that make sense?

You could turn up to an assessment as a deaf, blind, paraplegic with Down Syndrome, and still get awarded 0 points because you didn't word things on the form in the way they want you to.

…or because the assessor tells outright lies!

@XenoBitch the OP seems autistic, not bitter. She is trying to understand why people who sound like her are saying they get a benefit that she was turned down for. She's trying to understand why it matters that she can't socialise, etc.

I suspect that @Bluefell is quite stressed because she's started a thread, so all the replies are directed at her (I rarely start threads for that reason) and everyone has slightly different perspectives so it's even more confusing.

Then add in that half the posts on this thread contain false information, opinion guised as fact, and a gross ignorance of the complexity of autism.... Well it's no wonder @Bluefell seems a bit spiky.

FWIW my ds gets high rate for both PIP and we had no issue getting it. He had learning disabilities and a very low functioning working memory. His conditions mean hr needs a high level of support and supervision when out as he is so vulnerable. It’s not to do with your diagnosis it’s how it impacts your life and OP is not impacted severely enough to need it

Yes, both my DDs were paper cases. DD1 has high supervision needs in college and can't be left home alone, so it was 'easy' in that sense.

You only get PIp if you aren’t able to function in a typical way. Even if say, you have a poor memory..if you set reminders have a way around this then you don’t need PIP as you are functioning.
If you’ve got two broken legs your choices are to drag yourself along the floor or lie down and die. But just because someone is dragging themselves, I don’t think you can say they’re “functioning”. I drag myself every day but I wouldn’t call it “functioning”.

I am sure that several posters have patiently answered your question already. How many more times can posters explain? You are not accepting what they are telling you.

This is you misunderstanding the PIP assessment criteria again. As others have posted, in order to be considered able to do ann activity, you must be able to do it safely, reliably, repeatedly, and to an acceptable standard.

I'm a McKenzie friend and a volunteer for a welfare rights group.

You can absolutely get pip if you need prompting for ADLs and support with social communication.

For example:

• you may need assistance choosing appropriate clothing for the weather
• you may need prompting to shower
• you might need reminding to take medication
• you may have sensory issues around food and therefore need prompting to eat and drink
• you could get stressed about cooking and need someone to do this for you
• you may need support coping with change
• you are likely to need support with communication
• you might need support going to places that you don't know

The assessment for PIP has nothing to do with what you will use it for
That doesn’t make sense though. They give you it for your needs but then you don’t spend it on your needs?

No, you are right. Sorry I came across as a bit harsh. There was a recent thread about claiming PIP for ASD, and the OP was slaughtered.... (she wanted to know how to claim).

My DP has ASD, and I keep encouraging him to apply too. He can hold down a professional job, but he really suffers in other areas (and yes, me prompting him to shower costs nothing, but it is a descriptor).

“I work 30 hours over 4 days and claim pip for autism. I used the money to drop a day a week and avoid burnout.”

This is my comment. It clearly says that I used pip to be able to afford to reduce my working hours. Not that I was awarded pip for burnout.

The pip came first, then a flexible working request to reduce my hours.

I received 0 points at application and mandatory consideration, and 9 points at tribunal, meaning I receive standard rate care.

Yes, it does make sense if you read the response on the thread. PIP is for the extra costs associated with the disability/condition, no-one has posted otherwise, but what you spend PIP on isn’t relevant to the assessment criteria - which @PickAChew linked to so you can see the points table.

It doesn't have to make sense to you.

That's how it is. It makes zero impact on your application, assessment and outcome.