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

@ToothFairyNemesis i had to tell them I have children. I was truthful about everything.

@NekoShiro the forms were all filled in last June

@Mrsjayy my mum comes to every appointment

Voluntary work can provide a reference and help you upskill and build a cv. What did you do? You may need to accept that some level of anxiety is your normal and learn to manage it. Have you had counselling as well as meds? Is there a local MH charity ? Does your children's centre, local community centre or fe college run any support groups and classes for those returning to work?

@LonginesPrime why is what I saw odd

@LIZS he pays all of the bills mortgage food etc

@LIZS I stopped working I was pregnant with dd1 due to a traumatic experience that I haven't recovered from

@LIZS I can't leave the house I'm constantly on edge even when home. I tried working October - January to get money for Christmas I cried every day. I did so many things wrong. I just can't go to work. I know people say I have too. It's gone on ten years I've tried.

I didn't say you were lying OP. But those are the activities they take into account that add up points to an entitlement

Preparing food
Taking nutrition
Managing meds
Bathing
Toileting
Dressing
Verbal communication
Reading
Mixing
Budgeting
Planning a journey
Walking

If you can
Prepare food
Eat
Manage your meds
Bathe
Toilet
Communicate verbally
Read

Then it's unlikely to get you a living award based on mixing & budgeting alone

Your dh pays for all the expenses? Do you know what his income is and what everything costs? If he isn't holding money back and that's just how much life costs, then that is just how much life costs, and if you don't work then it will just be about living on that salary and budgeting

If he works away, could you move somewhere cheaper for example? Or near his work so no travel costs? Do you change utility suppliers yearly and use cashback websites? Do you buy unbranded food etc? Those are probably the kinds of areas you would be best off looking at.

Is this connected to a fairly recent autism diagnosis and perhaps feeling that things, including finances, might change because of the diagnosis? Unfortunately the reality is that while a diagnosis helps with self acceptance it usually doesn't lead to much else.

Exactly what Rock said..... I had a spinal fusion last year and although I couldnt walk far at all with sticks or struggled to dress at times ...I was not entitled to support.
I have a severely disabled child and have been his carer for all his life ...I had to get people in to support and dress him as I couldnt.

Unfortunately due to DS ....we only have one income.... i need to be at home to support him and his needs.

We just try to spend the minimum we can.....

CAB I've found pretty useless for this.

Instead go to your local "welfare rights office" for this. They are usually linked to the social services dept in your local council in England and Wales, here in Scotland they're linked to health and social care depts

I think you need to request a mandatory reconsideration to start the appeal process.

In terms of household outgoings if you were to post - even on a separate thread - current outgoings including which companies they're with I've found mners can be incredibly helpful with advising on how to reduce outgoings.

Usually the easiest ones to reduce though are groceries and energy.

The only things we could possibly cancel is the broadband how much are you currently paying for this? I'm £18.99 a month

Sometimes switching to another supplier can reduce costs too.

You could make a claim for ESA as well as PIP. You would need an assessment to see if you are eligible op not eligible for this as no NI contributions in previous 2 tax years, really she should have started claiming 8 years ago

I have no problems with mobility I told them that when I made the claim do you mean no physical mobility issues? Being unable to use public transport due to mental health or learning disabilities also counts as an impairment to mobility. Eg I have enhanced mobility pip as I am agoraphobic and never leave flat!

You really need expert welfare advice and quite honestly I don't think your mum seems well versed enough to provide it.

Are your outgoings more than your income OP?? If so then they HAVE to be reduced air you need to find a something you can do from home. If not and everything is covered as In food, house, bills, travel etc then you may just have to try to see the positive in that your family is warm, fed and housing is paid for.

i had to tell them I have children. I was truthful about everything.
@Marianne22
That’s good I was concerned you had not which could have caused issues at a tribunal.

@RockThrills I know you didn't. I just meant that I never said I couldn't do those things.

@Graphista I started the appeal in October

@ToothFairyNemesis they had all my doctors counselling and autism notes so knew about my struggles.

PIP accessor said I can manage because I take care of children while husband is away.

That would seem to be a logical conclusion. It would probably be hard for you to work and take care of your children if your husband isn't around during the week to help out with the running of things.

I don't mean to come across rude. I've had this struggle since I was pregnant. Before then I worked and didn't plan of having children while not having the money.

We genuinely don't have another money to pay all the bills.

I need to work but I can't. I don't know what the answer is.

It's not a new thing but applying for PIP and the appeal is new.

My mums friends daughter applied in January and got awarded in March first time her mum said it's because she had a social worker who went with her and filled in the forms. Both our mums are social workers but my mum works with the elderly.

As already said PIP is about how daily tasks are more difficult for you to complete.

For example Preparing food. Are you forgetful, not motivated to cook likely to eat out of date or uncooked food etc.

My son currently gets DLA because of his ASD and the extra support needs he currently has. But I know it is once he turns 16 he is very unlikely to score the points needed for PIP as it is completely different. Not that his needs have changed.

Look at each section and take notes on why it is more difficult for you to manage because of your disabilities.

There are clearly areas that you are struggling with. But can cope. Would that be different without your mums support? How would the picture look then?

In my job many consultants and doctors I work with will tell the patients they should put a claim in for PIP. With no idea of the criteria. They think it a just handed out to people because they have an illness. It is then left to me to talk them through the process and see if they actually qualify. And 9/10 explain they aren't ill enough yet.

My mums friends daughter applied in January and got awarded in March first time her mum said it's because she had a social worker who went with her and filled in the forms. But unless you and she are exactly the same you can't compare your applications. I'm

The only similarity I know of is she suffers from anxiety doesn't go out much and doesn't work. We text a bit.

What you need to accept is whereas you know yourself, others don't, and benefits any be granted on the basis of what people say adding that everyone is honest because well...people can't be relied to be when it comes to extra money. Its not against you personally.

I can't work I tried again over Christmas the mistakes I made were awful and the thought of getting a bus made me sick
What mistakes did you make? Ultimately, it was very hard for you to work, you hated it BUT you did do it for 3 months so you are capable of it. The point is what can you do to get to the point of not making mistakes and being able to get in with it without feeling miserable. This is where counselling is essential.

LonginesPrime why is what I saw odd

What I thought was odd was that you were saying your DH earns too much for you to qualify for any means-tested benefits (apart from child benefit but the cut-off for that is much higher than for UC), but that you're still struggling financially. So my first thought was financial abuse, but you've since confirmed that this isn't the case.

So now, what I find odd is the fact you're struggling financially on a decent salary. And also I think you're possibly barking up the wrong tree with PIP to cover your situation as it doesn't sound like a daily living issue, it sounds like it's more about being unable to work.

I agree with PPs that it seems unlikely you would meet the criteria for the daily living element of PIP if you can meet your DC's daily living needs. But obviously still provide your evidence and state your case at the tribunal. Just focus on daily living and not on work.

What bills do you have exactly that you can’t cancel sky? Virgin media? Can you not look at a cheaper package for example call them and explain.

Usually it’s things like this that eat a lot of money.