Can you get DLA/PIP for depression and anxiety?

[inheritancetrack]

On anti depressants for 4 years and also suffering with IBS. Has worked part time on and off during the 4 years. Married with a working husband and school age child and currently not in employment.

What are the chances and what are the criteria for this to be awarded?

PIP has replaced DLA. There are basic and higher levels of award. It is assessed on functional ability - how much a person's ability to look after themselves (wash, dress, toilet themselves, prepare meals, eat, plan journeys and mobilise, interact with others, manage finances etc) is impacted by their condition. It can be a physical or mental health condition but the threshold for qualification is high.

So, it isn't the condition that is assessed, it's the person's functional ability. If a person is managing day to day they are really unlikely to get pip.

@Atla

So, it isn't the condition that is assessed, it's the person's functional ability. If a person is managing day to day they are really unlikely to get pip.

Thank you so much, really helpful. The person involved functions quite normally but often feels low, especially after a recent bereavement of her mother.

It that situation, no the person would not meet the criteria for PIP.

I have severe anxiety disorder. I get PIP. Have done for over a year now. It took four months to get it.

If they function normally, than chances are they wont be awarded PIP. Feeling low after a bereavement is normal, and also not likely to attract an award.

@Atla

So, it isn't the condition that is assessed, it's the person's functional ability. If a person is managing day to day they are really unlikely to get pip.

Agreed!

Nothing wrong with applying.

I have Schizoaffective disorder with negative symptoms which really affect my life... I only got awarded low rate PIP for mobility for my epilepsy... and that was on mandatory reconsideration.
I was too anxious to take it to appeal.

Have a look here www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
Have a read and then scroll down to the very bottom where you can do a self-test.

Just be prepared to be refused, and to then appeal.

Feeling low after a bereavement really isn't what PIP is for.

Just to mention there is also contribution based and income based ESA they may qualify for

@icelolly12

Feeling low after a bereavement really isn't what PIP is for.

This

@icelolly12

Feeling low after a bereavement really isn't what PIP is for.

Absolutely.

There is nothing wrong with feeling low when someone dies. Quite the opposite in fact.

I get ESA too

Def worth applying for as well as PIP

Firstly PIP is not about being able to work, it is not an income replacement benefit.
PIP is assessed on whether you have difficulties in relation to the PIP descriptors which look at whether you can cook a meal from scratch, wash and dress yourself, communicate, manage budgeting, manage your own medications and therapies, read, how far you can walk and whether you can do a journey alone. If you have difficulties with these or cannot do them within a reasonable timeframe or to an acceptable standard then you may be awarded points. If you need prompting to cook for yourself or shower yourself etc you would score points. It is also very important to have the relevant medical evidence to back up the difficulties that you say you have.

Is it important for PIP to be under the MH team? Out of interest. As they seem to comment on this. It's not always possible to stay under secondary care long term even with diagnosed serious conditions.

@Orangesandlemons77

Is it important for PIP to be under the MH team? Out of interest. As they seem to comment on this. It's not always possible to stay under secondary care long term even with diagnosed serious conditions.

No, it's not necessary.

Thanks they've tried to use this as a "Change in circumstances' for me in the past - but appeals didn't so hoping it isn't a problem in the future.

Hi,

I receive pip for an eating disorder and eupd. I work full time also. I initially received it in 2018 at the higher rate after period of hospitalisation. After review this year im now on the standard rate.

No harm in applying

@BananaPant how long after your assessment did you get the decision?
I applied October this year, have telephone assessment over the phone mid January 🤞🏻