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

I don’t think @daisypond has actually applied - she was advised by two cancer charities that she wouldn’t qualify. She should definitely apply and if, as seems to be the case, she has a terminal diagnosis she should ask her consultant if they are willing to complete the form for PIP to be fast tracked.

It’s very hard and stressful to claim op, I was refused for muscular dystrophy and am pretty much now housebound.

I wish you all the best for your pregnancy

OP is not genuine. Pregnancy is not a disability.

In a nutshell.

FFS I really hope not. Unbelievable.

Agree re. ragebait. Starting to wonder if any threads on here are real any more.

Having invested in this thread, I feel I have to point out (again) that we haven't been told by this poster they were denied a PIP claim.

This is such a weird take on it.

If every single thread which somewhat justifies people’s complaints about piss takers is immediately labelled ‘rage bait’, then piss takers just don’t exist in your view?

PIP isn’t an out of work benefit, as you say, but in my experience claiming PIP successfully is more difficult if you are working, as assessors will inevitably use elements of your working life to try to disprove the help needed in assessed daily living areas and mobility.

If ragebait (and we need bear in mind that MN rule is that suspicious should be reported to them, which is a corollary to the statement that extant threads are genuine) then one wonders what agenda it's pushing ?

Not in the context there's been loads of threads attacking PIP and disability benefits lately.

Just made the same point upthread. It does seem that the poster has been guided by the advice of the charities and hasn’t yet made a claim.

You won’t get it for that.

Actually she did say she’s been advised when she ‘becomes terminal’ she can claim. So I don’t think it does seem to be the case she has a terminal diagnosis (as defined by DWP).

As said before many people can live many years with stage four cancer. And lots of these people remain very active and independent. So just like all other conditions PIP is based on function not diagnosis.

Edited to add - but I otherwise agree with you it doesn’t seem this particular poster has actually applied for PIP. And I’m starting to think her comment is as rage baity as the OP’s.

Why ask strangers. Unless it's ragebait.
Just apply and see.

When I was pregnant with DS2 I had (still have) such severe pelvic pain that I was in bed from just over 20weeks. My neighbour used to take DS1 a couple of days a week, the rest of the time he was upstairs with me, playing in his room and we just got by. It was 30yrs ago so there was no time off for DH, he’d have to leave us food and drink, then cook and clean when he got home. I never once thought about claiming benefits.

I do get PIP now. When DS2 was 3 or 4 and I was still unable to walk and pretty unwell, my GP asked if I’d thought about claiming DLA. I didn’t know what it was tbh. I had to go to tribunal to get it. And I have had to do that twice since. I have had 8 major surgeries on my pelvis and back, can’t walk unaided and need a lot of help round the house. I now have other disabilities too.

I am sick of reading that pregnancy is not a disability, maybe that’s true for most women, but for many women it actually leaves us with disabilities.

Why ask advice online about anything? Tbh I wonder if they’re testing out their story with well meaning people online to see if it’s water tight for DWP

Who looks after your toddler when your DH is at work OP?

Oddly, though, the converse does not apply. So even if your condition means you can't work, it isn't taken as evidence on how your condition affects you.

The agenda would be to leave the great British public with the view that most PIP claims are spurious and undeserving, thereby making drastic cuts socially and politically acceptable.

Of course pregnancy is not a disability. I perhaps worded my post badly. I did not mean to infer that the OP had an genuine claim for PIP.

Op could you clarify your employment status before the birth of your first child and whether you are still on maternity leave, as you mention you got pregnant shortly after. If you have been doing some supply teaching during this pregnancy were you self employed previously? Were your plans to be a SAHP or return to work?

Please get help with your anxiety. Your life is going to get a whole lot busier with a child on the way.

Absolutely, I honestly didn’t think they would even give it to individuals who have savings over 50k but they do. My worry is that they can use the argument of well you can look after your toddler and soon newborn so clearly you can do it to yourself.

I have to force myself to put the needs of toddler above myself. His dad cooks his food and I just warm it up and change him and care for him until his dad finishes work. My problem is, I have little time for myself and tasks takes twice as long etc.

I can’t claim benefits anyway our savings are too high for that. This is just extra support.