OCD and PIP (personal independance payments)

[jemjelly]

Does anyone receive this benefit on account of their OCD?

My DH has had contamination OCD for about 6 years now and he is gradually getting worse, he is currently out of work (not claiming anything) and to be honest I'm not really pushing him to get a job as when he did work last year the stress made his OCD worse, he suffered from horrible panic atacks with the OCD and it got the stage when his daily showers after work lasted between 6-8 hours every night as he felt he was unclean. I just don't think he is able to work until the OCD is under control and God knows if/when that will happen.

I find I am having to follow around after him as he throws away post before I can open it (thinks it spreads the contamination) and will not touch a whole range of things including door and cupboard handles, taps, dirty washing, etc, etc. the list goes on and on. he is always throwning away things we need because he thinks it is contaminated.

We have never claimed anything for his OCD as I always thought it was too difficult to prove but he has been on a high dose of fluxatine for the last 2 years and had councilling last year (which did not really help) all of which was arranged through our doctor so it is all on record.

I am thinking maybe we should apply for PIP, has anyone else had any experience with these payments and mental illness?

Yes, I get PIP, but it's a bit of a chocolate teapot for us. Have to jump through so many hoops to make sure what we spend is allowed. And tbh, many things which would make life much easier just aren't allowed. So when it comes up for renewal, I shall be very glad to see the back of it and the stress involved (I do not cope with the auditing very well)

Doesn't sound like the fluxatine is doing much good. It didnt help me.
I take olanzapine now and feel much better.
As the OCD is so severe it might be worth a try.

Kay - once you are awarded PIP you can spend it on whatever you want, the difficulty is getting it. DLA low rate care was easier to get, there is no equivalent for PIP as they are trying to reduce the amount of people awarded.