Would I have any chance of getting PIP while pregnant?

[99Samblaze]

Hi everyone, I’m just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice. I’ve heard that it can be difficult to be awarded PIP while pregnant because some people see pregnancy related difficulties as temporary, but I’m struggling quite badly with anxiety and depression and have been referred to the prenatal mental health team.
On top of that, I’m suffering from severe pelvic pain, to the point where I have to lie down after sitting for around 10 minutes.

Mentally, I feel completely exhausted and overwhelmed, and even the simplest everyday tasks take me forever to get done. My husband does most of the cooking before he goes to work because I struggle to manage everything myself. I’m also worried about how PIP would view my situation, as I’ll soon have a newborn as well as a toddler to look after. Would they hold that against me and assume I’m coping because I have children to care for, even though I’m genuinely struggling both physically and mentally? I’m not expecting anything I’m not entitled to, but I was wondering whether I might have a chance of being awarded the standard rate of PIP?

I heard also on FB forums that it’s extremely difficult to get PIP, has anyone got it after going birth?

Thanks

IF YOU ARE THAT ILL SEE YOUR GP FOR MEDICATION!!! Honestly, anyone who diagnoses themselves with life-altering depression without even consulting a medical professional but imagines they should be able to claim disability benefits…

You’re either a pretty dim person or just a really shit one…

If you were going to apply for PIP at least speaking to the Dr would give some supporting evidence
OP didn't see a GP because she didn't feel the need to do so so far. She shouldn't now go and see one just because she wants to apply for pip and build her case. You either need medical help or you don't!

Yeah, it does all feel a bit performative doesn’t it ?

In all honesty, I very sadly think that OP mindset is becoming more and more prevalent. Entitled, thinking they deserve everything they want, think that everyone else is responsible for making it happen for them.

Believing that you should get additional income so that you can stay at home with your children for a few years just because you feel a bit anxious, and justifying it because you've worked for 10 years! It's the epitome of entitled!

Who cares that those who'll have to pay for it might have worked and contributed for 40 years and are dealing with a much harder day to day life!

You need to get a grip OP. Your life is going to get much harder than it is now, and your 10 years contribution is a drop in the ocean compared to what you will cost the public purse over your lifetime!

No, you can't seriously think you can get PIP for conditions that you aren't diagnosed with, so have not received any treatment for. You won't be able to evidence anything.

Pregnancy isn't a disability, and pregnancy symptoms aren't considered during an assessment.

Indeed. It is as clear as mud. Oh well.

You have warped ideas about the aims of the benefit.

The poster has it right in that PIP is designed to make a contribution to the extra cost of living with a disability. It’s also a levelling benefit to try to mitigate any disadvantage in work or participation in society in general which is caused by disability. But it’s nothing whatever to do with the ability to earn or income brackets.

@ThreadGuardDogI agree. I am appointee for DS1 and obliged to report how he describes debilitating conditions. He is autistic and was unable to attend specialist educational provision beyond 5 terms but wants me to present information of how this affects daily living based around extreme anxiety and agrophobia. The anxiety and agrophobia - basically not being able to cope with communication outside immediate family - are secondary to autism. If he were not autistic he would not receive PIP for anxiety and agrophobia but I’m not convinced this is accurately recorded. There are plenty of people disabled for other reasons who find their anxiety most compelling.

Also wondering this. You say you struggle dealing with the toddler and your husband prepares their food in advance so you don't have to, so not sure why you thought having another, especially so soon, would be a good idea.

You can’t see why a family asking about social housing and a tax payer funded benefit, while managing on one income, planning two pregnancies in two years, and saving £50k, is riling people up? I can’t decide if you lack cognitive function or if it’s rage baiting.

Absolutely. And the government are well aware the thongs of people claiming are the people keeping them in office. That’s why both the system and the government won’t be changing any time soon.

Wow, you think as you paid tax for ten years you deserve help? It’s not a savings fund.

I feel like I've waited longer for a bus 🤣🤣

And if nothing else (since your not having consulted a doctor yet is utterly mind boggling), spend some of those savings on therapy, as a matter of urgency.
What good is that money to your family, if you are unwilling to use it in a situation where you are unable to function at all with your toddler, and all this is before another infant arrives?
What have you been expecting to unfold at all, regarding your anxiety, since even truckloads of PIP delivered to your door are, we must assume, not going to make any inroads into that?
I’d have thought you'd be keener to see your mood improved (and for which process, as everyone has been telling you, there are many good resources, whether or not they are NHS) than regarding PIP as the most desirable solution.

.

I will never understand why peoples first thought is whether they can claim benefits when they have developed an illness. This is at least the second post (other was on Facebook) I've seen where people have asked about pip before even going to their GP. In fact one applied, got turned down and was looking at a mandatory reconsideration. She got advised that as she hadn't seen her GP at all, she was wasting her time.

Disability benefits seem to be fair game though. Sick and tired of thread after thread either bashing them or trying to claim when it’s blatantly obvious the poster is outside the remit of the benefit. As is OP. It’s perfectly obvious to me that with £50k in the bank she doesn’t qualify for UC. UC and PIP are not interchangeable according to your own personal finances but that’s clearly how OP sees it. Work your way through the benefit system until you find one that suits.

You won’t get it now.

Sadly your lack of maternity pay is not the state’s problem unless your family income and savings are below the means tested threshold.

If post partum the problems still persist and you are significantly impacted in your day to day to life to the extent you meet criteria (which are very strict) then it may be worth considering applying, but right now it would be a big waste of your time to even apply. Sadly yes the ability to look after yourself and two small children would be seen as some evidence that you do not meet criteria, but obviously being able to do this is better than not.

Good therapy is expensive (I spend nearly £1500 a month on my medical treatment including therapy which the NHS cannot offer) but sadly it’s just bad luck and that’s what savings are for.

Good luck with your second baby!

Yes i have seen it on facebook groups too
I have just joined a few PIP groups as
Im waiting for my sons PIP claim to go through as hes 16 now and those groups are Brutal! The DLA groups are much tamer in comparison.

So did you have 50k in savings when you wanted social housing or have you managed to amass that in the last few years since having your now toddler ?

50k is enough to pay for therapy.

why hasnt the GP diagnosed you or offered any support?

why do you think it will be years before you are better?

Why don’t you get a diagnosis and medication?

Is this a joke thread?

Some people pay tax for 45+ years without getting benefits until they hit pension age.

10 years is nothing.

Why would it be? Just look at how often benefits are cited as the answer here.
Getting divorced? Check what you’re entitled to.
Having a baby and can’t remember who the dad is, and no job? Check what you’re entitled to.
Anxious NEET holed up in your box room? Check what they’re entitled to.
Just left school and don’t fancy the jobs in the local area? Check what they’re entitled to.
Expecting baby number 5 and can’t fit the job in any more? Check what you’re entitled to.
Kid with ADHD? Check what they’re entitled to

Etc
etc
etc
etc

A long winded way of saying that the Government does not care about the vulnerable.