Apply for PIP or not

[Mannikin]

I'm wondering whether or not to apply for PIP. I've got a diagnosis of depression and have had a couple of admissions to hospital, but have now been home for the last 3 months or so and back at work part time for a little while too. So that's really lucky. But I'm still needing ECT every 10 days which is a hospital trip, a general anaesthetic, feeling crap and needing to be with another adult for 48 hours, not driven, not make any decisions etc. As you can imagine this is quite limiting and brings with it some extra costs and limits how much work I can do. But that's not all the time. So should I apply for it or not? I realise there's also a drive to reduce levels of PIP given for mental health problems and there are lots of people worse off.
Feedback welcome - YANBU it's reasonable to apply go ahead, YABU actually you're functioning reasonably lots of the time and better off than many, don't be silly

You can definitely try, but I'd imagine it will be push to get. I hope things improve for you soon x

I think you should read the PIP descriptors and points scores, and guidance from a couple of websites eg Benefits & Work, Citizens Advice, and Mind.

Then do a 'mock test' on yourself and see how you get on.

I think the Benefits & Work website is very good, personally. There's a lot of free material on there, or a £15 membership for a much fuller guide & tutorial.

Then be prepared to back-up your application with medical evidence, and at an assessment. It's no picnic, but being prepared and understanding the regulations is the key.

It’s not about what you need treatment wise but what your care/mobility needs are. You will be hard pushed to evidence needing support with the majority of the descriptors whilst also holding down a part time job.

Are you likely to be swayed by what people here say? Only you know how much you are affected by your condition. That is what counts, when applying for PIP.

YANBU to try and apply for it. But you would be exceptionally lucky to get a claim on depression alone. I have Bipolar, PTSD, and struggle with agoraphobia. All diagnosed, and all impact my ability to work, but I got declined for PIP 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s scored on mobility, communication, your ability to feed yourself, take medication, dress and wash.

As PP said, look at the descriptors and points system and see how you’d score. (The Citizens Advice website has those details and more.) It’s a tougher system than recent headlines might suggest.

Read the PIP descriptors.

Think about how this affects your day to day life - what is now harder to manage/do.

What things can you do occasionally, but not reliably/repeatedly/in a practical timeframe.

I would also caution you to think about how going through the PIP process may affect your mental health.

It requires you to focus VERY hard on all the things you can't do, struggle to do, it is incredibly negative and may not be what you need right now.

Only you can decide this though - if you feel that your condition affects your day to day life in a way that PIP could help with, either via extra funds or because PIP is a gateway benefit that opens up other avenues, by all means go ahead, but I would absolutely get professional help in filling out the forms if you do.

I say apply, the worst you can do is not to try.

I tried for PIP in the not so long past, got rejected with the most points gained in the bathing area, it is what it is.

Know it sounds dumb but it just comes across if someone can cloth themselves, know to take tablets and prepare food items then it is a battle.

definitely agree with reading the descriptors and seeing how your health contributes to doing the tasks. I imagine you can physically make a meal for example, but does your mental health or treatment make it a challenge or impossible and if so in what ways? Same with getting showered. Is it safe or do you need someone supervising you or close by ? This could be because of your treatment or the symptoms of your MH.

How is going shopping or travelling to work. If you have difficulties with these, what are they and how do they affect your life?

I know it’s more difficult to get awarded pip but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply if you think you need it or assume you won’t get it.

Depending on relationship status, housing, what happens with work etc it might be that sick pay, ESA or UC with LWRA are more appropriate and easier to get.

A couple of things to consider. To apply it needs to be reasonably expected that you are going to have difficulties for at least the next nine months. If most of your difficulties relate to the ECT and side effects/ recovery then does this apply? Also you need to meet the descriptors and score points you need to be affected for at least 50% of the time so that also needs to be considered.

By all means give it a try, I tried applying and I get it for my arthritis, but I can't get anything for my Aspergers Syndrome, despite having a report about it from a psychologist. Don't be surprised if they refuse you first time around, they did that with me as well.

Does ECT affect your memory? that might be something to mention. I think you should get it given the severity of your illness and treatment. Good luck.

PS Appeal if you don't the first time, I think of appeals as the real decision makers, if that makes sense.

Yes definitely apply.

Severe mental illness nearly always qualifies for some level of PIP.

As others have said read through the descriptors to see how you think you would score & if you think you will score enough points then there is no harm in applying.

When you have been sectioned & hospitalized there is a lot of 'evidence' you can submit eg copies of assessment.

I've done advocacy work and I've never come across someone who has been sectioned, hospitalized & received ECT in the past year to be refused PIP