PIP for mental health

[crabbingbucket]

I claim LCWRA due to my bi polar and associated anxiety with depression. I'm too unwell to work so that's all fine.

I'm working with someone at citizens advice to sort out some debts I have and she keeps telling me I need to apply for PIP.

I never have and don't feel like I should do because although I can't work, (hence LCWRA) my "disability" doesn't actually cost me any money. As in, I don't need and modifications to my home or help with mobility or day to day living. I get my prescriptions paid for because I'm not working. I walk to all my appointments as the exercise is good for my mental health.

Am I being daft and missing something? Just wondering what others do? I don't feel right claiming. The money would be helpful but I don't feel like it would be spent on anything related to my disability

I get income related esa because I can't work presently with mental health,everyone keeps telling me to claim and I am I'm debt but I don't feel able to as couldn't cope with the assessment.

Pip relates specifically to needing help so for instance you need someone to help with making food OR persuading you to eat, it could be help physically or help planning journeys, it can be help with personal care or persuading you to actually shower. I have claimed for dd but it's hard, won on appeal last time, haven't got the mental energy to fight this time

Applying for PIP, isn’t something I would advise anyone with MH issues to do. It’s a gruelling process, you get knocked back at every turn. Everything has to be done by a certain time etc, which isn’t easy when you have a chronic illness. I have MS. It was really difficult to get even with full support of my nurse, gp & neurologist. I saw it through, was prepared to go to tribunal. It was awarded eventually but it called me a lot of stress. Good luck OP.

I claim PIP for a mental health condition. My condition involves a lot of extra costs (about £40 every couple of days) and affects all of my activities of daily living (using toilets, showering/bathing, cooking [I cannot cook at all because of it, social contact etc.) so I claim it.

Your disability means you are unable to work and therefore on a lower income on ESA/Universal Credit, than you would be if you were mentally healthy. I really don't think you need to feel bad about claiming PIP.

You do however have to meet their very tight definitions to qualify for PIP so check 'Benefitsandwork.co.uk' if you do decide to claim it.

If you can get someone to help you with your claim , then do. Having mental health issues means extra costs eg you pay for a laundry service rather than go to a laundrette due to anxiety while waiting for your washing , you may need to opt for a taxi rather than a bus (other people make you anxious) to your next hospital appointment. You can only go in certain shops where you know all the staff due to anxiety hence you're paying corner shop prices not Tesco/Aldi etc. You may need to pay for ready meal deliveries because you're anxious about using the oven/cooker etc etc.
It's really not surprising people with mental health issues are in debt given all the little extras they HAVE to do to survive.

I don't claim it either. My old CPN said that the process would be very detrimental to my mental health.

Consider the following (without answering the questions on here obviously!)

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
Do you ever need anyone to monitor your status (e.g. whether you are heading towards a Depressive/Manic episode?), to make sure you take mood stabilisers or engage in talking therapy?

Socialising
When you are in a Depressive episode are you able to engage with others? when manic, does your disorder affect your interactions with others?

Making decisions about money and budgeting
Do you ever have episodes of overspending when manic? when depressed are you able to make sound financial decisions?

Cooking
When very unwell are you able to cook a meal from scratch?

Eating/drinking
Do you need someone to prompt you to eat or drink when depressed?

Washing, showering, dressing etc.
Do you have any issues with self-care when unwell? does your Depression mean that you struggle to get dressed some mornings or shower more or less frequently?

When I started my PIP claim it was for my mh. Filled in the massive book about my life. Gp and mh team where contacted. Had the assessment which was no different to the ability to work assessment dwp do and was awarded it.
I did put it off for a long time because of the horror stories and I didn't think my illness needed it etc. However, the cash has come in really handy to not only keep me out of debt, which is good for mh, but to also pay for private appointments rather than hanging around on waiting lists. I've used it for various activities to keep me distracted, gym membership, extra costs when in hospital etc.

I was in such a state at the assessment that once finished they were so concerned about my safety they gave my gp the heads up, who gave mh the heads up that I could be back in crisis again. Which I was I just don't always recognise how badly I have deteriorated.

If your living in London and get the mobility part you might also get congestion charges dropped as well. Local authorities also might due reduced parking for you. Or the freedom pass, although I cannot get the pass in my borough for some bizarre reason even though months later I applied for the blue badge and given it.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice. It's got me thinking about costs I hadn't thought of in relation to my illness. For example getting takeaways for me and the kids because I'm not able to cook.

I do also get taxis when I can't face walking which does happen.

Maybe my CA person is right. Now to get my head around the actual process as like PPs have said, it's very stressful.

Seems designed to put us off claiming

They took my driving license away because of my condition too so I pay buses and taxis when I can't walk. If the bus makes me too anxious but I can't afford a taxi I often don't do whatever it is I was supposed to do which is invariably something which would have helped me like visiting a friend or going to an appointment.

It would probably help to have money to join a gym too although that's a hard one to explain when they grill me because on one had I'm saying there are times I can't bare to cook a meal and need to order food, then on the other I'm saying I want to go to the gym.

I don't think I could stand up to that level of scrutiny

I cannot drive either but the congestion etc has come in handy for the main person who keeps an eye on me and drives me places when I need to go out but cannot.
Oh yes forgot about the take away costs!
Also pays for dressings as I'm also a self harmer..
Although it paid for gym it didn't help me to go other than on my hyper no sleep too much energy days. Or when my temper is stable. But I also have other physical issues that benefits from exercise, healthy eating and all that and had in the past been given a short membership through nhs.

@Canigooutyet

I cannot drive either but the congestion etc has come in handy for the main person who keeps an eye on me and drives me places when I need to go out but cannot. Oh yes forgot about the take away costs! Also pays for dressings as I'm also a self harmer.. Although it paid for gym it didn't help me to go other than on my hyper no sleep too much energy days. Or when my temper is stable. But I also have other physical issues that benefits from exercise, healthy eating and all that and had in the past been given a short membership through nhs.

Can I ask how you got the gym pass? Maybe I could get that whole I make a decision about if to claim pip

It sounds like you're involved with professionals, which will help your claim. I would think the fact that you're in the LCWRA group would also validate your claim.

I was obese and smokingwhich was making my asthma and and joint pain worse, which was having a detrimental impact on my mh. So as a incentive to quit smoking I was given a pass. I couldn't use the nicotine patches due to latex allergy and allergic to some of the ingredients in the gum. I have a ton of physical health issues. This was a couple of years ago I was given it, iirc it was for about 3 months and hardly went.
Fast forward to claiming PIP and I thought I would use it more as there was no strings attached, and convincing myself that this time I would go, even though I previously had a membership that I never used when I was working. I mentioned it as the assessor asked for examples in how I manage my behaviour wether it worked or not.
There was also I time I used the various gyms free trials and friends free trials with their membership thinking this might give me that kick up my arse.

And as a pp said, the health people who are helping you should help support you making the claim. When I was doing some group therapy the team were also helping with claims for those that asked for the support. Then when I had a mentor it was also a part of their remit to not only support me going out, but if needed would have helped with things like PIP if needed.
The mentor was arranged via mh.

@Roselilly36

Applying for PIP, isn’t something I would advise anyone with MH issues to do. It’s a gruelling process, you get knocked back at every turn. Everything has to be done by a certain time etc, which isn’t easy when you have a chronic illness. I have MS. It was really difficult to get even with full support of my nurse, gp & neurologist. I saw it through, was prepared to go to tribunal. It was awarded eventually but it called me a lot of stress. Good luck OP.

I have quite severe mental health issues and I was awarded it straight away. The process was long- four months, but there was no issues at all.

When PIP was first introduced it was incredibly hard for us to get it. Distressing questions and wanting to see evidence of SH etc. Then changes were made a couple of weeks ago.

The only deadline i can recall was having to return the form and any supporting letters within 4 weeks. I didn't have any letters then as I'd had a massive clearout and binned loads of things as you do, and just put the contact details of MH and the GP.

I applied for PIP as I have Schizoaffective disorder and epilepsy.
It's the Schizoaffective disorder that affects the daily activities of my life most & means I can only struggle to work part time.
I don't think I can get any other benefits.

I got PIP on Mandatory Reconsideration in 2019 for the epilepsy (mobility part) but not for the Schizoaffective disorder!! So they basically didn't listen to anything I said / wrote. Or that the psychiatrist etc said.

I was too scared to rock the boat and go to appeal. It's not a fixed award so I will have to reapply in a year or less I think.

I get PIP for MH issues. I’m too unstable for work and need support as my anxiety means I struggle to leave the house.

I get PIP for mental health (I have EUPD and bipolar) and found the process quite straightforward and was awarded it straight away. I use the money to pay for take always when I’m not able cook and for a cleaner once a fortnight as I’m not always able to keep on top of the housework.

Thanks for all the advice. Oh n another point... I'm anxious to admit the struggles I have keeping the house clean and cooking because of having kids. Would they raise any concerns?

I haven't read all the posts above but see your last comment and your original post...
Keeping your house clean / food cooked etc is a reason to get PIP for mental health...
That is part of the disability with bipolar - sure you don't need a stairlift or bars in the house but you need someone to help you stay on top of the house...
This is what it's there for

Go to CAB or Mind or any specific charity that specializes in your form of mental health issues to see if any of them can help you fill in form
They are a bitch =you need to fill in everything & you will need to repeat the same issues in different ways
Gather all paperwork together & scan/copy it to send with form
Now, do a diary/notes for a few weeks stating how this affects your daily living & make sure you state that if it is constant but varies in intensity of effect & that you have NO control when & how it will affect you - mention every single medical/therapist/support people of any kind who have ever helped you & their contact - including any work support or emotional support or volunteers or if you have contact with a specialized housing officer list these before you request form or go to CAB (or whoever you are going to get help from)
What is it like on your worst days? you will need to think of this in filling out & answering questions. There maybe days when cooking is difficult (impossible) if that is the case include this & explain
What I was told (did form for adult daughter with ASD) you cannot give too much information
Do not explain the diagnosis to them tell them how it affects you & refer to any paperwork to back the symptoms up
You should apply - it will make a difference & explain your difficulties in going out & if you have someone who you want to go with you/be with you tell them you need them to support you. You MIGHT be able to ask to have assessment in your own home
Mental health learning disability ASD & intermittent or pain related issues are the hardest to get PIP for & it is deliberate ploy
My daughter failed her interview but due to the extensive paper trail proof & the way the form was filled in they reversed this & she got PIP without us having to go further (She had 3 letters detailing her diagnostic assessment - I labelled each one put page numbers them & referred to evidence of things that occurred & correlated it to page number)
Fill in every part of every question

I'm surprised at the posters saying they've been told not to apply. I have been awarded the high rate PIP for my mental health struggles even though I work. It was quite straightforward. I've read horror stories but that really wasn't my experience.

Had to fill in a REALLY long form- that took some time over a few days with help from my partner. Sent off with evidence letters from my therapist and psychiatrist. 5 months later got a letter saying I'd been awarded it. No need for an assessment or anything, I think because of the evidence letters.

I still worked too when I applied, so was worried they'd think I didn't need it. The help is there for a reason, I am now not working so really need the money but when I was I paid for therapy, a cleaner, takeaways etc.