Anyone else feel trapped by PIP?

[PPAP]

I started getting PIP about a year ago after being too scared to apply but being advised by a support worker to do so.
I get advanced DL and standard mobility.
I have anxiety, depression, Autism, ADHD, OCD, CPTSD (all properly diagnosed, not self diagnosis) and several physical problems mainly autoimmune and digestion related.

My main issue is my OCD and anxiety and my fear of leaving the house alone. At the point of having my assessment I hadn't left the house without a carer in about 2 years.

I'm due a set of CBT counselling soon and last time I worked alot on my fears regarding being outside alone.

My main goal is to be able to take my dog for a walk.

However, having been asked directly at my assessment if i take my dogs for a walk and saying no, because I don't/didn't, I now have a HUGE fear that if i take my dog for a walk I will be photographed by PIP and arrested/PIP will stop etc.

I feel this way about everything. If I try to do something out of my comfort zone I feel like I am a fraud.

How can I get to the point where I can support myself If every time I tey to do something I can't normally do I feel like I am being watched? And will be arrested?

Because of my physical issues I want to try and start eating better. I eat shite, but everytime I try and cook a proper meal I feel like I am being photographed through my kitchen window

To the point where I have put up reflective film so that PIP cannot see me in my house

I want to get better but sometimes I feel like being on PIP is making me more paranoid and ill :( but financially I need it :(

This has been exacerbated by the man with 1 leg that got arrested for playing cricket with a disability team.

My Dr says I would benefit greatly from the gym or taking up walking (which my sister has said she will do with me) but aim just too scared to go go because of my social anxiety, but i think i could work through that with the CBT therapy and carer support but more so because of PIP watching and getting in trouble for it.

Firstly you’re never going to be arrested for improving your health. You told the truth at the time of your assessment. If things change then you tell them the updated answer at your review/reapplication.

Also speak to your therapist about the paranoia, people aren’t watching you, the man with one leg was photographed as it was an event. You walking your dog or making food isn’t something that is being photographed, they’re not sending people to spy on you.

Why do you think you would be arrested? Rather than the benefit just taken away?

Benefit fraud is a crime isnt it?

My Dr knows about the paranoia, its a huge part of my OCD.

Thats what if feels like. I want to try to eat better and get bettwr mentally :(

I have chronic fatigue and sometimes think this.

But it’s very backwards and forwards and l think you have to remember that. In the summer l was bedbound, in September could walk 600 steps by November l was bedbound again.

l think the time to tell them is when you have consistent improvement.

I know what you mean. If you're saying you can't go out and do things then when you do you almost feel guilty. I'm so sorry you're feeling this way.

I hope your health improves soon x

If your circumstances change and you are leaving the house supported by others or (hopefully) get to the point where you can leave the house with your dog then you need to tell them, that’s all. For example you claim at your assessment you can only leave to attend medical care with a support worker but you are now going for walks with your sister in the park it is a change so report it and you won’t get into trouble. Remember mobility is separate to care,

Pip is based on what you can’t do most of the time though isn’t it, so yes there may come a time when you can do these things and don’t qualify, but being able to do them a couple of times and build it up won’t mean you get arrested. When the time comes that you can do these regularly then update PIP but don’t worry about t for now.

But how consistent is it?

2 weeks?
6 weeks?
3 months?

The defining thing as ‘regularly and as needed’

Paranoia is really horrible, I feel for you. You’ve been completely honest so just continue to be completely honest and you will never have an issue. At the time of your assessment, you couldn’t walk your dog. If in future, you build up to be able to regularly walk your dog through your own hard work then you can inform them of that as and when it happens.

When my husband got a car I rang them to tell them I was leaving the house more with my carer as I now had access to a car and didn't have to face public transport.

He said inreally didnt need to tell them that and I can just update them at my review

I said ibwas feeling really stressed out everytime i was outside because Ibfelt like Inwasnt allowed and so he said he would put a note on my account about it butbit wasn't necessary.

I don't think theybwould want me to ring every time I try and do something new??

And even if i try to do something a few times it doesn't mean that my new way of life or level of ability as standard now.

Its just so bloody stressful.

I just want to be normal and not have to think about these things. I just want to have a normal life. Im so sick of being me

PIP is reviewed regularly. My review is in three years.

they do know that conditions can change in both directions.

the expectation is that you inform them if there’s a major change in your condition.

the general rule of eg not being able to walk your dog is about doing it safely, repeatedly and without significant pain. (Not an expert).

I have pip due to an accident. Sometimes I can walk sometimes I can’t. I’m completely honest with them on the form and on the phone and they have access to my medical records.

they care about big fraud. Not things like you go for some CBT and build up to leaving your house with a carer.

if you are very worried about it check the points system and see if it would make a different to your level of pip. If not then frankly they won’t care

I think the problem is my OCD.

Its making me look at PIP in the same way it makes me look at there being a fire in the house of leaving the backdoor open so a murderer can get in :(

You just need to let them know if there's a change in your condition - mainly if one that affects what rate you would be paid at. As long as you are honest there is no risk of being asked to pay back or prison.

I looked up the 1 legged man case and it does seem harsh to me but pip is based on what a condition stops you doing in their criteria rather than the condition. I think that's why a lot with cancer don't qualify. I would report any change personally to cover your back. If you are walking a dog and always need someone with you as a carer I don't think that will affect payment but if you can walk your dog alone then that may take lower rate mobility away if declared but daily living will stay. I don't think PIP watch people unless tipped off by someone who declares they suspect fraud.

This sounds quite stressful for you OP. I would have thought that unless there was a major, consistent change regarding what you can do, then as the person that you spoke to on the phone said, you tell them at your review.

I was coming to say this. Your fear is coming from your OCD and it doesn’t help that you have no doubt read some vile things about PIP claimants. You do need to accept that being able to go out alone might lead to a dedication or loss of award though, however your PIP is unlikely to be affected by walking the dog. I would suggest reading the criteria and understand where your points come from. I score 10 points in the motability ‘planning and following journeys’ for not being able to go follow an unfamiliar journey without support so walking the dog would not affect this.

please be very cautious about calling them up like you did though as someone might decided to treat that as a change of circumstances and it will trigger a review of the whole award.

Oh OP the DWP would have been delighted that the police had the chance to arrest that man. I don't know anything about it but I guess it was big news and had the desired effect of scaring people like you. It was likely set up to some degree.