To report dishonestly claiming PIP benefit

[JellyBeans169]

she is dishonestly claiming high rate daily and high rate mobility PIP allowance. She exaggerates all her ‘illnesses’ and ‘pain’ to ensure she keeps this allowance. I have heard this from her own mouth that she is NOT entitled to high rate of daily or mobility allowance. She has been reported before and manages to lie her way out of it. constantly lying about what she can and cannot do - which from my experience around her she can achieve it all. She walks her kids to school over 2 miles a day, she does all the house shopping, she jumps around on the kids trampoline, she takes the 2 dogs for a walk every week, she has 2 younger children at home that she can physically cope with on her own.

should I report her?

Err, because we - the tax paying public - are paying for this fraud. If you personally had to pay her the money from your wage packet every month would you be happy? Because that’s what we - the tax paying public - are doing. Report away OP. It’s not as if she’ll be immediately stripped of it without good evidence, it will simply be reassessed which is fine.

People who say it’s so hard to get pip and they can’t be lying - they obviously have never met someone who openly admits that they frauded the system. My exes mum claims she has such severe mental health issues and anxiety that she hasn’t left her house in years. That she is so mentally unwell that she can’t leave her home to get milk when she runs out. She laughs and says that was the lie she told them and she gets max for both as well as the element on universal credit to enable her not to work. She also has a disabled badge for this ‘mental health’. This woman who had never left her house in years, goes partying and to raves every single weekend. She sits in the pub from day till night.

yet my poor mum has had her thyroid removed, hip replaced, severe arthritis, spine problems, endo, crps, diabetes, asthma, lung issues, heart issues (the list goes on) and she had to fight for her pip and even then she doesn’t get high of both. She get it for like 5 years a time and every time it’s up she has to go to tribunal and fight to get it.

in my experience it seems to be the people who lie who gets it yet the people who are genuine have to fight like hell.

I get PIP. My medical evidence was 3 A4 length documents.

1.Medical statement print out from my GP (includes my diagnosis etc) . It was one A4 page, and didn't include anything about how my conditions effect me.

1. Letter to show I had been referred to CMHS and accepted into their care, which included why I was not being prescribed medication despite usually they would.

1. Letter to show I had to attend eating disorder treatment.

And that was it for evidence from medical professionals. They will get more evidence upon review though, if they want it. I have gotten more since, I coding an autism diagnosis.

All other evidence provided was statements from carers, people around me, and work documents showing the reasonable adjustments that had to be put into place for me.

As far as I know, they didn't speak to my doctors either. I don't know anything else, as I did not do my PIP form (my partner did it, I didn't have it in me to go through claims process so he did the bulk of it for me).

Looking at the points I scored, they accurately reflect my actual life and what I struggle with, need care and help for the majority of the time. So it worked.

I know PIP can be difficult to get, but I don't think it's lack of medical evidence - as I said, I got it with just 3 documents that basically confirmed I wasn't lying about my conditions. I think it being hard to get is probably people either understating their experience on the form, or overexaggerating to the point it ends up sounding inconsistent. And mostly, not having people to help them see the process through. I'd have given up before I had barely started if left to do it alone, can't be dealing with that long form when I'm already managing health conditions.

PIP a is not given for the condition , it’s given for having evidence of how that condition affects you on a daily basis ie need someone to help wash / cook etc . What is wrong with you is immaterial . I’ve got multiple chronic diseases , I wouldn’t claim anything because most days I’m perfectly capable of managing everything . In your case and if your condition stops you caring for yourself you need to get evidence of that and get someone who is an expert in filling out the forms to help you gather what evidence you need . I’m in no way anti PIP i would just like it to go to the correct people .

Who is it to you?

Because you'd do yourself a favour by stepping away from her, and focusing on your own life.

Report her by all means but focus on your own life not others

Not necessarily. Plus people exaggerate symptoms to medical professionals, too.

This. I am a PIP assessor and it’s not quite as simple as “do you experience pain for half of a day.” I look at things holistically before coming to a reasonable decision. Generally, it annoys people seeing others get things for “free.” Best advice is to be grateful for your own health, drink water, and mind your own :)

Out of curiosity, how would extra money help with an eating disorder?

or autism?

I would keep your beak out to be honest.

Most disabled people feel a sense of guilt in claiming PIP & downplay their disability - contrary to popular opinion that we whinge & moan all the time.

PIP is only awarded long term in very specific circumstances that need alot of evidence. If she's been awarded it without much evidence then it will most likely be stopped or reduced at the next renewal date anyway.

You haven't given details of her disability eg is she genuinely lying saying she has a condition that she hasn't. Is she claiming to have a purely physical disability eg wheelchair user which is obviously false or are you unclear.

Many disabilities are hidden - severe mental illness for example someone could be doing daily physical exercise, going to the gym etc & that would be irrelevant to the reason they claim.

Other disorders - rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, epilepsy to name just a few could be virtually hidden but can be hugely fluctuating & disabling - maybe you just notice the days that she can't leave the house at all.

@deadpantrashcan it’s not about not liking seeing people get something for free , it is about seeing people get something that they don’t deserve when most of us know other people who could do with some help but get none because they don’t lie and cheat . It is about morality not jealousy .

How the heck did she manage to convince the assessors to grant PIP? They unfairly turn down genuinely disabled people all the time!

They do, and will continue to. But honestly, that’s just the society we live in. It won’t change, so not much point thinking too much about it. At the end of the day, most people who apply do need it, and thankfully for them it’s something we’re, at this time, still able to provide.

It's mainly being able to afford care,or be able to afford someone to be with me. My partner was previously caring for me, but he can't do that and work full time anymore. He had to leave his previous job because of it.

I need a carer with me whenever I leave the house, I have meltdowns (I previously thought these were panic attacks, so did doctors up until the last 2 years - I have an agoraphobia diagnosis) . I need someone with me when I have to eat, else I won't. I can't. To be honest the eating disorder has worsened now and it's a struggle to eat even when someone is there. We did try spending the money on a meal delivery (not available on NHS) to see if I could get used to it/repetitive nature but that didn't work. We may try another one. I need someone familiar with me when speaking face to face, i can't communicate in person.

There is more I need practical in-person care and support with, but I don't want to answer.

I'm currently waiting for carer to come take me to hospital for regular appointment.

I work remotely from home. I know no one asked that, but there's a lot of guff recently about how PIP is an out of work benefit. I would not work without getting PIP, because the rest of my life would be too much to manage entirely alone.

PIP doesn't even cover all costs associated, but helps massively.

If you genuinley suspect her of fraud, report her if you are so inclined. Not sure what we can add to your decision making really.

She may have convinced them with her genuine illness. If you’re speaking from personal circumstance or have personal example of those who have been unfairly ‘turned down,’ I’d encourage you/them to appeal. Let me know if you need any information on what may have been missing from your/their original applications.

You have no idea of the reality she may be living. I have a disability and look normal to most as I have to do everything any other mum does because there is no other option.
I am guessing she is similar in that she’s doing ‘normal’ things for the sake of her kids.

I have never claimed PIP but I doubt they are easy to fool.

Because it happens to be true, that you do need a lot of medical evidence to back up your claim. People who claim anything else, have no idea what they are talking about, frankly.

This has been done to death but a brief summary in case you have been living under a rock.

• PIP isn't awarded to provide money for care it is awarded based on care/mobility needs but isn't intended to be used for care or treatment etc.

-Living with a disability results in added costs everywhere you go. It's virtually always the cheaper budget options that are the least accessible & disabled people rely on more expensive options eg taxi over walking/public transport.

• Living with a disability limits options at every turn eg education, work, career, training, housing, hobbies, social opportunities. PIP awards money to help level that out & gives disabled people the ability to be PERSONALLY INDEPENDENT & not rely on others.

Because it’s not all about isolated conditions. Extra money can allow people to work less, or simply improve their quality of life. God forbid. Someone with autism, who pushes to socialise and undertake uncomfortable situations to the best of their ability, may be able to afford an extra day of recovery time. Someone with an eating disorder, may also struggle with anxiety, and may now be able to afford to see a counsellor to help them with their condition. I’m so grateful to be able to understand how people struggle, as opposed to being too ignorant to even try.

What fraud?

@Agix Thanks for sharing but that's not my experience and many other's in my charity group for my condition.

Autusm

Carer to accompany on trips

Special clothing - anything from adult button up vests and continence products to stop poo smearing being so easy, to only tolerating one type of jogger or needing special shoes as hypermobility is also a strong comorbidity.

Special food as gut issues are a strong comorbity as are restrictive eating disorders. Executive function can also mean lots of prepared food is needed or a cleaner or promts and aids.

Parking costs as its not safe to walk far, or indeed bus/train/taxi costs as not possible to drive

Additional heating as sensory regulation is difficulty.

That's without thinking much.

Us - the tax paying public - should be SO much more concerned about the multiple other ways we are being screwed left right and centre.

I know, that's' what I said.