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

Exactly. We have become such an entitled, classless society. What can I get? Who “owes” me for my own mistakes/circumstances?!

I’m appalled by the mentality of people.

Yep. I know what you mean. Crap decision after crap decision. Pick the wrong man, have child after child never mind. Just claim benefits…

No. And nothing like the assertions you were making. This has nothing to do with immigration - ‘taking care of people who don’t belong here’.

Well said! Can’t believe OP’s post is real!

It’s one of the strangest posts I’ve seen on MN. It’s one thing to come on and ask if you’re eligible for benefits, but it’s quite another to ask if you’re entitled to a benefit which has absolutely no relevance to your situation !!

i’m not in the least rattled because you’re talking racist shite. Immigrants can’t claim benefits unless they satisfy specific conditions, and certainly not while they are awaiting processing. It has absolutely no bearing on the benefit budget. The problems are clear and documented and nothing to do with immigration.

As usual, misplaced blame. As old as time, I guess. Find a scapegoat to blame, for a lack of this, or lack of that. There would be no more money for the public, no matter what. Stop believing everything that you read, or hear.

Exactly. As a higher rate tax payer, it really doesn’t bother me if my taxes pay towards benefits for an immigrant or a white British person. The colour of someone’s skin doesn’t make them more deserving of benefits.

It’s all the same to me as long as people aren’t fraudulently claiming.

Can you approach your GP or midwife & explain how bad it has got.

You probably won't be eligible for PIP but they can definitely do a safeguarding referal to both adult & child social care so they can safeguard all of you. They will be able to signpost you to services that won't cost you anything.

It does vary by area & im not promising pre/post natal mental health services are perfect but there has been extra funding put into it. A safeguarding alert could help you access this as a priority.

It's the type of evidence you need for PIP anyway so it's worth doing. The PIP claim would trigger a safeguarding referal anyway. If you are saying you can't cook, clean, leave the home etc then social care will need to assess you & your children's safety & make sure Dad will be able to manage all this alone.

Don't be frightened of social care, they are not there to 'take your kids away' & very few safeguarding referals result in that. Work with them & engage with anything they offer. Good luck x

This.

That's awful x

Why should you get PIP for something you chose to do? Pregnancy was a choice.
You shouldn't get a taxpayer handout for choosing to get pregnant.
The claiming/assessment process is hell anyway and incredibly long-winded and invasive; there's no way it's worth going through it unless you're desperate.

As a welfare benefits specialist of over 15 years I would not consider helping you with a claim. You have cited your difficulties as being largely due to pregnancy which immediately removes the 3 and 9 month timelines for claiming. I have fought hundreds of cases at tribunal where eligibility and supporting evidence has been overwhelming yet still went all the way to a hearing, ending in many cases nearly a two or more year traumatic battle for clients. You should explore support via your GP, midwife if you have one, or self refer to wellbeing services via the NHS. Even without the 3 and 6 month criteria you would be very unlikely to meet the points criteria. Even if your difficulties extended beyond the pregnancy you need to be aware that this would still prove incredibly challenging.

PIP may not be an income related benefit but it is most certainly not an entitlement just because like many of us you've paid some income tax....! You have stated how you've felt unkindly treated on this thread but bluntly you need to step back and re read some of your own posts to see just how entitled they make you seem. And this is from someone who has spent a quarter of their working life supporting those with disabilities to get the right support- you are just not being realistic about what PIP is designed for. It isn't to give you a bit of help now because you've 'paid in' - that's what, in your circumstances, your savings are for.

Of course we're judging you, you are not just being unreasonable, your're being ridiculous. Use the 50k you have in savings. Outrageous.

Homestart is an organization that can help parents with young children who are struggling. Available all over the U.K. Also echo those saying to speak to your health visitor and GP.

Where you have someone who is more interested in the pound signs than the help and treatment, I think is a good place to draw the line between the deserving and the non-deserving.

so use your savings for extra support? You won’t get PIP for problems during pregnancy

why do you think pip will solve your problem I'm really interested to here.

I don't think anxiety with pregnancy/birth would bring forth more benefits. 🤷‍♀️

I’ve not long had a baby 10 days ago imagine the sheer amount of people who would get a claim in for being pregnant

To get PIP you have to have issues with lots of things - if you can microwave a plate they will say you can cook, if you can order groceries they’ll say you can shop, if you can use the toilet or bath alone they’ll say you’re free living. If you can organise your own appointments and schedule they’ll say you’re fine with life skills.

They do not take into account whether you can do only X or Y then need to sit down. If you are capable of it sometimes they deem you ok with doing it always.

If you are looking after a toddler then they will say how can you need extra help for your disability and safely care for a toddler? Having sole care of the toddler will likely make them reject the claim.

This is just not true. The test specifically requires you to be able to prepare and cook a simple, one-course meal from fresh ingredients. You score points if you cannot safely use a conventional cooker hob or oven, but can use a microwave to cook a fresh meal. Ready meals, tinned food or reheating a pre frozen meal made by friends/family doesn’t count.

The assessor looks at whether you can carry out the full prep for a fresh meal including opening packaging, peeling and chopping, heating food using a hob or microwave at waist height, knowing when the food is safely cooked and serving onto a plate.

PIP doesn’t look at the ability to shop for groceries - not included in any of the activities assessed.

The test for bathing/toileting is based on the ability to use use a standard unadapted bath or toilet and takes into account using aids and appliances such as wipers, raised toilet seats and grab rails as well as help needed by someone else, including for safety reasons.

And they absolutely do not judge you as being able to do something all of the time if you can do it sometimes. They take into account the ability to carry out an activity reliably, repeatedly, safely and within a reasonable time frame. If you can’t do any activity to that standard, then you are judged as not being able to do it. There is also the 50% rule. If you can’t carry out an activity to the required standard for 50% or more of the time then you can’t do it.

They look at the ability to carry out the activity, how you do it, what help you need, what aids or appliances you use, whether you are in pain or discomfort while you do it, and whether it has a knock on effect on your ability to do other activities assessed.

@99Samblaze You keep talking about working and paying tax, it sounds like New Style ESA might be what you're eligible for and what you're imagining rather than PIP:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance