I claim pip and esa ask me anything

[Plopandflop]

I lot has been said on here about benefits and people who claim them and supposed how easy it is. I claim pip and esa because I have epilepsy and narcolepsy. My husband has just been diagnosed with MS and is currently going through the process.
I also used to work for a disability charity who supported disabled people to claim benefits so I have quite a bit of knowledge about how the process is for people with different disabilities.
there is a lot of misconception out there so if anyone would like to ask me anything about the process, or my disability or how the process made me feel or how I feel now being on benefits please do.

A few people have asked some things about the pip assessment.

yes I have seen successful claims for ADHD.

there are a lot of horror stories and yes some assessors are bad (and yes I have heard of them asking how long someone has had a disability that you would be born with)
but some are really good.

I would always ask for the assessment to be taped and you no longer have to provide the equipment for this. You used to have to provide 2 identical recording divides believe it or not so 2 copies could be done at the same time.

i have heard assessors finding peoples education against them but I have not found this myself. Maybe because the disability started after I had left uni. For the person asking what quals I have the top one is a degree in disability studies.

don’t let the assessor tell you that the person you are supporting has to do all the talking . That is tosh.

if you are not happy with any element of the assessment complain straight away.

one company I would advice using is fightback for justice. I used their VIP service which you can ring for advice over the phone and they have loads of sample forms for different disabilities that really help. it’s £11 a month for the VIP service but it it worth it’s weight in gold (I have no affiliation to them I have just used them)

also if anyone goes to CAB and they tell you to always describe your worst day tell them that is bollocks. You have to give an overview.

By the way there is no such things as a recognised disability. The definition is something that affects you on a day to day basis that impacts normal everyday living. You should have had it for more than 3 months.

remember it’s not the disability pip want to know about it’s how it affects you on a day to day basis.

I will be honest work does affect it. In work a got the lower rate for both, when I had to leave I asked to be reassessed and I got the higher rate.

photocopy the form and don’t be afraid to refer back to it in an assessment.

ask for a telephone appointment if you will have difficulty getting there or if a face to face appointment will cause more stress.

remember you are being assessed as soon as you enter the building.

if rhe assessor asks you to do anything physical like move your arms up and down tell them if you are on a good day as they will just take it as you can do it

also an issue I have found is how long benefits take to come through. My husband applied in October and they have cocked up so much it has not even started yet. Also really common.

the more info on the pip form the better, more and more are just being passed without the assessment

You have to be on the ball to make sure they add it from the very beginning,I'm 4 months in and only now had the energy to go chasing them to correct it all,all the while they are telling me that I've got it wrong,they are paying the right amount blah blah,came back with tails between their legs when another wonderful poster told me what to say to shift them.

letters or statements from family and friends or an employer must will be looked at.

a lot of pip does get overturned at tribunal but more and more are getting approved before that.

it is also how you tell them a buzz words. If there is any risk of harm coming to you doing anything then tell them. For example I don’t use a microwave after I burnt my arm when I had a seizure while taking out hot beans.

tell them if you have had injuries due to your disability.

this is why it’s important to get help from someone like fightback for justice. You need to say the right words.

Also some disability charity’s will have specialised people to help. Google disabled peoples organisations. I good one in the north west is called
Disability Equality North West and they will give advice over the phone and then signpost you for more help if needed. My friend who lives in ormskirk has just used them.

Yes I am scared I always am with benefits. They never seem to get things right the first time.

A lot of people on universal credit do end up better off.

With work make sure you tell them if work make any reasonable adjustments due to your disability. So for instance if you have saidin the form that you need a set routine but you then tell them you are a nurse they may think- hmm well most nursing involves shifts.

but in fact you may work set hours in a clinic or work have made a reasonable adjustment that even though you work on a ward you keep the same shifts you need to tell them.
don’t assume they will realise.

I don't agree with this sorry as any increase in universal credit will come out of my transitional protection so I will be worse off the longer I receive it.
But...I am very lucky to live in a country where I can get financial help while unable to work.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

well to answer your first question it depends colonialism has benefits many counties in many different ways such as improved infrastructure and technology but their people are always going to feel oppressed. So in the long run it’s turns into a negative. Look at India. Also we used to rule nearly half the world but more and more counties wanted independence. People are never going to believe a foreign ruler will have their best interests at heart. Also look at how colonialism has affected the native Americans and the aboriginal people.

for your second question- well the fact is I am not really bothered as my husband does all the match lighting in our house.

epilepsy and fire don’t really mix.

Maybe I can point that out next time I have to fill in the PIP form. I can say this -

“My husband lights all the matches as I would be a fire risk I am so glad he is here as if it was just me birthday cakes would stuck, not to mention bonfire night. My DDs mental health would be affected as she would not be able to have a sparkler which would in turn distress me and poss bring on a seizure” 🙄🙄🙄

@MonstroElisasue
I haven't read the whole thread so not sure if anyone has told you but this isn't right. I was in support group contributions based ESA and moved to UC. You should not be reassessed, it should just carry straight over but no one seems to have bothered to tell the job centre staff that!
When you move over the CAB have a helpline you can call. If you call them, confirm that you shouldn't be reassessed and then take that info into the job centre they should sort it out for you.
There are special regulations for this but I cant remember the name of it you will find it in google or benefits and work website

"I gave a did managed to work till 3 years ago but the seizures got to the point when I was let go. I hung on to it as long as a could."

My niece is currently at this stage. After being blue lit to hospital with life threatening adrenal crisis for the umpteenth time in the last year-18 months, going through disciplinary after disciplinary, they have ground her into the ground trying to hold onto her job due to her disability with support from her union. They terminated her last week.

It is heartbreaking seeing a previously vibrant young woman, having to deal with not only such a significant change to her health and future dreams over the last couple of years, but also being treated appallingly by her employer.

She doesn't want the "social shame" of being on benefits for the rest of her life, there is no one else in her family or friendship groups who doesn't work and she doesn't want to be different, she loves/loved working and is trying so hard to find another job, but realistically she has no chance with a poor absence record and if she did she is likely to suffer further adrenal crisis incidents and go through the same process again.

How do you feel about being "on benefits", and if you have managed to get to the point where you don't feel made to feel like a "drain on society" that she is being programmed by media to feel like, how did you get there? How did you come to terms with this being your future and feeling positive about life again? What advice would you give her at this stage?

Sorry too many questions! I am just at a loss how to help my niece just now.

Unfortunately the media and politicians (even labour now by the looks of it) have created the attitudes that you talk about.
At the end of the day if you can't work and you know it's genuine and you have tried everything you can there's no need to feel guilty for something that isn't your fault and that you can't change.
If someone is also ill enough to be entitled to PIP they will have had to provide a lot of medical evidence to get it.
I went to tribunal but most people give up that's what they want, for people to give up.
I'm too busy trying to get through every day to worry about what people think anymore to be honest
In too much pain to sleep again there's no way I could work so I refuse to feel guilty about it on top of watching my entire life and future disappear

Good luck to you OP and thank you for sharing and your advice to others.

BrokenWing

Its really difficult. I actually posted a thread on here not long ago saying I basically felt most people would judge me for the rest of my life. Seeing things in the paper as well and news reports saying the government are going to be getting more disabled people to work. (Because company’s are just so understanding of people with disabilities and will be queueing up to employ us 😡😡)

After starting that thread I had lots of support on here and I realised it is the minority
of ignorant people who judge, and these would prob have been the same people who would have bullied others at school, they like putting people down. And unfortunately we are an easy target for them.

Nearly everyone I have told in real life has empathy which helps with the exception of 2. Unfortunately one was a boss who was the definition of a cowardly bully. Just a really nasty person. The other person is also horrid and would pick on those she perceives to be weaker than her. I know through talking to other disabled people that it’s the same kind of person who judges them.

Daily mail reading, reform voting, cowardly bullies who lap up all the crap about disabled people being scroungers and a drain on the economy without even bothering to get their facts right. (Disability benefit fraud is estimated at less then 1%)

And as for pip ah so so so easy to get - you just have to say you are a bit depressed or walk with a limp!!!!

They actually resent people with disabilities getting help. I mean what sort of person would actually resent someone who is disabled getting help. They huff and puff if we dare to do anything nice like go on holiday and as for those physically disabled people who get mobility cars that are newer then their car- how dare they.

i made this thread to try and explain some things but none of the mumsnet members that have started benefit bashing threads have turned up. They don’t want to find out what it’s really like to claim a disability benefit directly from a person who claims it. They would rather have the info second hand as it fits their narrative and way of thinking. You will never change their mind because they won’t let you. To admit they are wrong they would have to have a long hard look in the mirror and they won’t do that.

They don’t make a fuss about governments wasting money or tax avoidance because they would be hard pressed to make someone feel horrible about that. Instead they choose an easy target to bring down. To not have empathy is a horrid thing. And lastly they never think it will happened to them and if it did they of course would still work through it all because they managed to get through a conference with a bad back in 2017!!!

the hardest thing for me is when people I don’t know ask what I do. Well I either explain or if I just don’t want to go through all the reasons why I don’t work with someone I say I make jewellery. I do about 5 hours a week under permitted work. I would say I make about £40 a month from it as the moment. Could she do something like this that she can do when she is feeling ok. Even if it’s a hobby and not paid. That can go a long way towards making you feel more worthwhile. When I make something for someone it gives me a little rush.

None ever asks how long I do it for, none askes how much I make. They might ask what kind of jewellery but that’s it.

my friend who can’t work due to disability says she is a housewife or just says she works from home marking papers. Ok a white lie but it really doesn’t matter.

someone I used to know through work used to volunteer one morning a week so she used to say she works with disabled people. People never ask if it’s paid.

with the media it’s just not taking any notice (easier said then done) but tell her to remember that only a certain kind of person thinks this way- give Nigel Farage or Katie Hopkins as an example. Nasty people who love belittling others to push their own agenda.

I always play the song from the greatest showman when I am feeling down- This is me. I love the line-

“I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies- this is me”
and
“I know that I deserve your love, there’s nothing I’m not worthy off”

We are worthy, we do deserve respect, we shouldn’t have to apologise for something we have no control over. Anyone who makes us think we should apologise or feel worthless is not worth it. I would honestly rather have my disabilities then go through life sneering at others, instead of realising how luckily they are. I can’t imagine what type of person looks at a disabled person getting help and feels jealously rather then empathy. Yet I bet none of them would swap.

Then you start thinking well if we had a society without benefits which is what some people want then what would they propose we do - reopen workhouses and asylums because that was the reality for many before the welfare state. Mind you most of them have not got it in them to think about the actual consequences of no benefits. Too busy judging us instead and thinking about that nice shiny car their neighbour with MS has got so he can get around.

Also a lot of them don’t like the idea of disabilities because disabled people in general make them feel uncomfortable. They would rather out of sight out of mind.

I hope that helps but please feel free to PM me anytime.

Just one more thing

You see threads on here and one places like Facebook saying things like “should I report such and such because they claim pip but I have never seen them struggling. Or such and such has a blue badge but they can walk without help- I saw them in Asda!!!

People with hidden disabilities quite often wear themselves out trying to be “normal” in public. I once had a bus driver ask me why I had a disability bus pass when there is nothing wrong with me. You get people accosting people who have not got a visible disability but have a blue badge, and once they have seen said badge they still won’t leave the person alone.

There is a guy in Scotland who gets regularly abused because he parks in a blue badge space but because he has his business name on his van people assume he is fraudulently using it. They get at him before he even gets out of his van. And when he says “so are you saying disabled people can’t work” some have said yes.
(So I get confused do they want us to work and not claim benefits or do they not want us to not work and claim benefits so we don’t take up a blue badge space with a works van- make up your mind people)
This guy often posts on Facebook.

I was accosted coming out of an accessible toilet with my mum when there was a queue for the other toilet (which I would use if no queue). This women blocks us and screeches at us saying what right have we to use the disabled toilet.

She went very red when I said in a loud voice “well I have epilepsy and have an aura which is a warning I will have a seizure and this seizure would mean I would piss myself because I need the loo. My mother was with me in order to catch me when I had the seizure so I don’t end up cracking open my head on the toilet floor”
my mum then adds “now let us pass because she still has not had the seizure unless you want to cushion the fall”
The women then actually said “there was no need to embarrass me”

I have come to the conclusion that people who don’t realise a disability may not be seen are as thick as pigshit and not worth fretting over. Apparently if you are not in a wheelchair you are not disabled enough to need a blue badge or accessible toilet.

one town I think it was Preston or Blackpool had a vigilante group going round challenging people with blue badges!!!! Luckily the police got involved and put a stop to it by threatening to charge them with hate crime.

Thank you for that answer.

That's me, I have arthritis amongst other things but the arthritis can stop me getting out of bed and on other days I can take my mobility scooter to the local shops.

If I'm having a day in bed I might ask my carer to cook (he's not very good but tries) or I might get a take away or meals on wheels.

People might be suprised that a take away is something I may spend my PIP on as it is a luxury.

The point about pre-cut veg is good one, If I buy a couple of carrots they do not attract VAT but if I buy pre chopped I have to pay VAT and obviously the cost includes payment for the shopping.

So having a quick loot at Iceland, 1Kg of fresh carrots is 85p and a bag of carrot batons is £1 for 300g. The equivalent of £3.34 for a kg.

I remember your last thread OP

Absolutely, excessively restrictive safety rules limit personal freedoms and contribute to children growing up to be risk-averse. Developing brains need repeated encounters with managed risks as it strengthens so many areas of learning such as resilience, motor skills, problem solving and critical thinking, creativity, confidence, etc. When working with young children you can certainly see a marked difference between those who have been allowed to 'have a go' and take age-appropriate risks and those who have not.

Another reason to bring them back is because this generation have never known the fear of your mum asking you to light the grill on one of these bad boys using a single Swan match. Switch on the flow of gas, conveniently wafting out of the grill at face level for maximum inhalation, strike the perilously short matchstick and then the challenge begins... get it in contact with the gas fumes before the flame reaches your fingers. Then when you do get it in contact and it makes that satisfying "thhhhwumpff" sound as it ignites, you have the momentary thrill of whether or not the mini-backdraft produced is going to singe off your eyebrows.

This isn’t at all true, please don’t answer without being sure of your facts.

1. ADHD is a disability as defined by the Equality Act
2. PIP eligibility isn’t determined by diagnosis but by need/ how the condition affects the individual in terms of specific descriptors.
3. I work in this area and have had many clients with ADHD claim successfully. I also receive PIP (autism /ADHD).

yeah I know now, I have already addressed this in the thread.

@octopusenergyfree50 there was a horrible article in the Times yesterday along these lines.

Re people's attitudes, my friend would sometimes complain about people she knew on PIP saying there was nothing wrong with them, but then she developed arthritis which is pretty debilitating for her. She now can't work and it upsets her when people are dismissive of her pain. I recently heard her say that you can't know just by looking at someone! I think a lot of people just don't have a clue unless it happens to them, and of course a lot of people have no qualms about expressing strong opinions on things they don't have a clue about.

I used to know a very right-on leftist woman, and even she did it. She said that when she was depressed she went to a GP, got an antidepressant and carried on, so why should people get PIP for mental health problems. She just couldn't see the difference between two months of feeling low and anxious but still being able to function, and being so ill with depression that you have to be hospitalised because you can't move or communicate and your only treatment option left is ECT.

You shouldn't need to be re-assessed. LCWRA should be added automatically under the transitional rules. Why have you only had a weeks notice to migrate? people are normally given 3 months to apply.

I am the one who asked OP if she declared her jewellery business earnings... and if you read my post it was because I was considering similar.
It was not a dig at her at all, and I am rather hurt you think that it was.
I have a friend on ESA who does not declare her earnings as she is under the misguided belief that it is about the hours worked and not the money. There is no permitted work rule under UC (which is what I am on). I wondered if the rules for ESA and UC were different.
The whole process just seemed complicated to me, so I just gift stuff away now.

Do you understand the concept of an 'AMA'?

Please can you give me some guidance? I work full time but still suffer with my ADHD hugely. I have no choice but to work. I feel like I could qualify for benefits for various reasons. No idea how to make that clear in an assessment though.