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

Use your savings. Why should everyone else fund you with your £££ in the bank.

But that would only make sense if this thread was a gushing fulsome vomit inducing litany of how easy it was. As it emerges, all it has done is make some people aware of how difficult it is - which isn't what some posters are being paid for ?

All very odd.

Anyway, as I said previously, if poster think a thread is less than real, they need to use the "report" button. And I should know 😎

Yes I want to return to work full time but right time I need help with anxiety and depression. My goal is to go back to work absolutely in future, I mean basic standard rate for PIP is only 300 a month. I easily made half of that a day with six hours of work and really enjoyed my work.

For the benefit of other posters, PIP is not means tested.

I think that’s why it is so hard to get it.

Obviously….as are 90% of Mumsnet posts!

Only 300 a month… of other people’s money.

I don't think you can take your case as proof that "PIP is difficult to get".

What your case shows is that PIP is intended to help with conditions that are chronic and cause extra costs.

Not chronic or cause extra costs.

And my advice to you is the same as to daisyponds. Why not complete a claim form, enter your evidence and see what happens. As long as you do not lie, the worst that can happen is they will decline you.

You could have made a damn good crack on the first few pages in the time you have typed here.

It’s not just money for extras. It’s supposed to support life with a long term disability or condition. With ny muscular dystrophy I pay for everything myself and it’s a lot of extra money!! Rails, toilet adaptations, sticks and rollators. It’s hard! It’s not for extra money.

Well it obviously isn’t difficult to get as we have the equivalent of the population of Scotland claiming it

Beggars belief

I cut my finger, can i get PIP?

Kindly, if you CAN put your toddler above yourself and do everything then you are able to do it, even if with difficulty. I understand how it feels but your situation isn't what PIP is for. If you find your anxiety/depression continues on at severe levels though then perhaps it might be different. This is a hard, hard time of life - pregnant with a toddler us exhausting and if you have mental health challenges on top of that it can feel insurmountable. But it does get easier I promise. You will come out the other side soon!

It’s a funny one as lots are on it but most people I’ve spoken to with progressive conditions have found it impossible.

Yep agree. I’ve actually had clients who have undergone the work capability assessment and been deemed as unable to work (LCWRA) and who have still gone on to fail the PIP assessment.

One case that stands out in my mind was when a PIP assessor contradicted something said on the claimants’ work capability assessment report, because they had misinterpreted a piece of medical evidence the claimant had submitted for both assessments.

It was enough to prevent an award and DWP wouldn’t overturn the decision at mandatory reconsideration even though they had the evidence right in front of them. We appealed and before the tribunal date had even been set, DWP reconsidered and awarded benefit. IMO the assessment system is loaded against the claimant from the start. The assumption seems to be that every claimant is a liar until they can prove otherwise.

How do you manage to look after a toddler all day if you have to lie down after sitting for 10 minutes?

It’s indirectly aimed at people with anxiety and ND, because the bar is that you CAN’T do simple things like get dressed. Many people with high level chronic illnesses that really struggle (arthritis, cystic fibrosis etc) can still do these things, hence not getting it. But anxiety can explain away not being able to do anything pretty much, so it’s easier to get for people claiming for that.

Schrodinger's benefit ?

Also rather a blunt number, as there are various combinations of levels of PIP, and not everyone is awarded the full amount.

I can't say too much more, obviously. Facts aren't welcome on threads like this.

5 million people are claiming PIP and DLA. It’s not that it’s ’easy to get’, it’s that it’s very open to abuse from people suffering MH conditions who ‘fluctuate’ and ‘seem completely fine outside the house’ but apparently need prompting to get dressed and showered.

Pregnancy causes anxiety surely she deserves some recompense for that!🤪

One case that stands out in my mind was when a PIP assessor contradicted something said on the claimants’ work capability assessment report, because they had misinterpreted a piece of medical evidence the claimant had submitted for both assessments.

When I helped with a PIP claim, the assessor was horrified that I had the copy of the claim document. Which was made worse because I had a spare copy for her. She had to state that not only did assessors not have access to the actual claim document - they weren't allowed to see it during the assessment. They glowered at me during the assessment as I read off the document and they had to write it down verbatim. They also didn't like that I had separately sent a copy to the decision maker.

Can I still be successful even if I haven’t been actually diagnosed or have medication for it?

Thank you

Interesting, hard to dress with wasted muscles but was denied so I do wonder what people are saying on the application

It really isnt 🙄

l do agree that OP’s circumstance isn’t appropriate to PIP, but with respect PIP absolutely does consider the degree of difficulty the claimant has in carrying out everyday tasks. There is a rule that if the claimant cannot carry out an activity safely, repeatedly, reliably, with regard to any pain, discomfort or exhaustion caused, and without a knock on effect on other activities, then they cannot do that activity to the standard assessed. There is also a built in safeguard to say that if a claimant cannot carry out an activity for 50% or more of the time, then they must be assessed as being unable to do it to the standard assessed.

PLEASE let the answer be no! 🤦‍♀️