What to do can't work or claim benefits

[Marianne22]

I've been on medication for depression and anxiety for 8 years.

I have dyslexia and an autism diagnosis.

I'm currently on a waiting list to be assessed for dyspraxia and something to do with cognitive ???

I know people CAN work with the above but I cannot.

I've tried. Day to day life is hard.

I had a PIP assessment in August and got awarded 2 points. I'm now waiting to hear back re a tribunal meeting.

There are lots of contradictions and false information in the DWP report.

I'm stuck. Husband works but it barely covers the bills.

Any advice please x

You have to be very sick to claim pip,

No you don’t. You don’t have to be “sick” at all. What a very rude thing to say.

One of my children gets (lower rate of one element of) PIP because of their autism and comorbid condition. They aren’t remotely “sick”. They are at a disadvantage because of disability.

I get PIP for a spinal disability. I’m not “sick” either thanks.

@Marianne22 did you put on your pip form that you had care of your children or tell the assessor.

I think what you're missing OP is it's about any difficulties you have 50% of the time doing 12 specific activities. The bar is set very low to be considered doing these activities under Reg4- repeatedly, reliably, safely and in a timely manner.

It's not about your dx.

What others are saying about children will play into the decision. If you can ensure they're bathed, clothed and fed why can't you do that for yourself for example?

Two things 1. Ensuring your claim is correct - make sure you have things that you are unable to do even though you physically can on it - eg my dd can make journeys but refuses to travel anywhere she doesn't know and won't use sharp knives even though she can.

1. Unfortunately even if you get the award it's likely to be around £300 a month so cutting outgoings is essential.

On a more positive note, you need to explore what you can do for a job - there's lots of support back into work and assistance once in a job - benefits never will give you much income and those with your conditions can work if they get the right job setting

Such a lot of really unhelpful comments on this thread. People saying claim ESA - op doesn't qualify for contributions based ESA as she hasn't worked in eight years and no-one can make a new claim for income related esa as has now been replaced by Universal credit and people saying you have to be really sick to claim PIP - you don't , it's extra help to help with the additional costs of a disability and many disabled people can and do work so to say you have to be really ill is daft because if they were that ill they wouldn't be working.

And in the current economic climate with thousand and thousands of people about to be made redundant and with op not going having worked for 8 years and having severe mental health issues by the sound of it, it is not going to be easy to find a job just like that although I agree voluntary work might be a stepping stone.

Well said @babyroobs 👏🏼

My apologies I didn't know ESA had changed criteria personally I get ESA for a long term condition I've not worked for a lot of years.

And it's very poor advice to be telling people to fill out a PIP form as if every day is your worst day !! By all means describe a worst day but if you happen to be having a good day on the day of the assessment and you have said you can't walk 20 metres because you can't on a bad day but on the day of assessment you can because you are having a good day quite frankly you are going to look an idiot and a liar. Describe a bad day and how often they occur, as others have said it's the 50% of the time factor and being able to do things reliably, repeatedly and to an acceptable standard within reasonable time frame that PIP will look at.

Another option is to focus on changing meds, therapy etc to get you to a state where you can work.

@Marianne22

This thread has made me realise no one will believe me

How? There's lots of people here offering you advice and asking you for clarification on your situation to better do so.

Only DWP need to believe you. Why do some people on Mumsnet make you think DWP won't believe you/professionals involved with your care?

Do you have extra costs becsuse of your conditions. That seems to be what PIP is based on according to what I read. Like paying for taxis if you are unable to travel by public transport.

I am a practical person, so I am going to ask the question

If you only have access to the child support money
What happens when your children have grown up & this payment is no longer available ?

I guess that is why, you are looking for some extra payments now too

If op meets the criteria for PIP and gets an award then that is extra money to help with the additional costs of a disability, it's not an income replacement benefit . Op - if you used to work, was there not the option to apply for a contributions based benefit when that work ended ?

op doesn't qualify for contributions based ESA as she hasn't worked in eight years

Presumably she might if her contributions have been protected with NI credits, though? I'm not sure which classes qualify you for what, but I'd think that might depend on what she's been claiming over the past few years?

OP said she's had anxiety and depression for 8 years, but I don't think she said she hadn't worked for 8 years did she? (apologies if I've missed this). She might have been on long term sick pay or DLA or something and had her NI contributions protected.

@Day0ftheDDeadd, she hasn't said they are separated or that she receives maintenance, just that he works away.

[quote IndecentFeminist]@Day0ftheDDeadd, she hasn't said they are separated or that she receives maintenance, just that he works away.[/quote]
Oh thanks for that.

I was reading that post thinking “what did I miss?”

LonginesPrime - Yes exactly, op could do with checking NI contributions record to see if she may qualify for a contributions based benefit, I think she would have needed to have worked over the past 2-3 years but worth checking, although she may already have done so.

I'm not looking for money now I've struggled ever since I stopped working. I only found out PIP existed when my doctor suggested it. I started the while waiting for the autism assessment.

All the forms have been done. I had my face to face in August.

How do you all manage on one wage? We just can't do it.

I saw the post about claiming PIP for dyslexia. It wasn't me. I know how hard it is for people that physically cant work or feed themselves so I really wouldn't apply if it was just down to my dyslexia.

I've not thought about child benefit stopping they are only young.

I've tried selling from home. I still do but obviously don't make much.

I keep getting told on here my situation doesn't add up and that's upsetting as it's real.

@Viviennemary I don't go anywhere because I can't get on public transport but even if I wanted too I couldn't afford it.

@DahlingBebe well be tried fluxofine citrolaplam and setraline non have helped

@Babyroobs I have no problems with mobility I told them that when I made the claim

@Babyroobs I have done lots of voluntary work in the past but I just got more anxious so stopped. It still didn't help our financial situation though.!

What is your dh contributing financially to the family , presumably keeping a roof over your heads with rent/mortgage and bills, but that is not enough to fund a family's living costs. Children cost more as they get older and you will lose cb at 13. Where do the rest of his wages go? I'm sensing he may be part of the problem.

What did you do before having dc or when dc1 was small?

@RockThrills I didn't claim
To not be able to wash or dress myself. My autism means I'm very truthful. I hate liars.