Would I be able to claim PIP?

[CrushingSheep]

Hi, can anybody help me with benefits advice? I wasn't sure which board to post on.

I'm claiming Universal credit & not working currently but for the last few months I've had my work coach say to me 'Why don't you just get signed off for a break?'
I've kept ignoring this as I don't want to be seen as 'giving up'. I havn't worked in a long time & I think, if I did work, then it would get me out a bit, get me meeting more people, little bit of socialising, stop me sitting around feeling low etc.

BUT, I have problems with my feet. I CAN walk. It's hard, but I can. It's very tiring for me & I need to stop often & I'm slow. I walk up & down the stairs sideways, leaning heavily on the wall for support. But I CAN do it.
Because of the foot problems I'm being pushed into work from home roles, so I won't be socialising or meeting people anyway.

I also have double incontinence problems. These are generally managed with pads but sometimes wet/soil through clothes. Need access to a toilet instantly so care/cleaning in the community jobs are out.

My mental health is bad I suppose. I mean, I feel worthless & like I bring nothing to the world but that's just how I feel. I take the job knock backs REALLY badly. I go instantly to my 'bad place' & think 'Well why would they employ me? I'm stupid & worthless anyway'.

I used to walk all over the place with my kids, walking was my 'clear my head' thing too when they were with their dad, but I can barely do it now. I hate it. I feel like I've lost 'me'. I have to get buses everywhere, it costs a fortune & I hate it. I want to be able to walk again. My kids sit at the end of the road waiting for me to catch up, when it was never like that before

I've been on ADs on & off for years. I've just done an anxiety & depression workshop with the jobcentre.
I'm having to do all these courses for my UC which I understand so I'm not just 'claiming free money' but I do find them difficult to do. Staring at the screen (they are all online) gives me a headache. I'm also tired. If I sit still for any length of time I fall asleep.

I don't know weather I should try to get signed off for a bit? How do I even go about it? I'm waiting for a call from the GP today. There's being signed off & then there's claiming PIP which is 2 separate things, isn't it?

Years ago I applied for PIP but my mental health was ignored & I got 2 points for the incontinence & as far as I can tell I wouldn't get any help with mobility so it would be 2 points again.

Sorry that's soooo long!

PlattyJubes you can get the mobility element for mental health conditions as well as health conditions.

Op have you got a diagnosis for your feet? If not you need to speak to your GP who will send you for Xrays & if there is a problem ask to be referred through NHS Choose & book to your nearest private hospital to ee a foot surgeon, that way you will get a proper diagnosis & also have a paper tail for your PIP application. Are you seeing someone about your mental health problems? This doesn't need to be a psychologist, it can be if you have self referred to your local IAPT or if you are doing or have done CBT or counselling.

You need as much evidence as possible, things like copies of prescriptions, doctors notes, copies of online shopping receipts if you have to shop online because you can't walk round the shop, a statement from someone you know well or who lives with you saying what you need help with & why. You say you struggle with the stairs, have you asked for a referral to an occupational therapist through your council who can assess your home to see if there are any aids that will help you, double handrails, a stairlift, a perching stool in the kitchen, a shower seat, grab rails in the shower, getting the assessment done will help with your PIP assessment & also for you to apply for the limited capability for work & work related activity element of Universal Credit, if you get this you no more longer have to look for work or meet your job coach, it doesn't stop you looking for a job yourself, just that it takes away the added pressure. Look at all the things above before you ring for the PIP application forms as once you have rung you have a limited time to complete the forms & to return them, build up your evidence & then apply. Don't be disheartened if they turn you down first time, you can do a mandatory reconsideration & if that is turned down apply to go to appeal, many more people win at appeal than at the application process.

Yes, you are right. He was actually awarded DVLA whilst he was still able to work part time.

Poorly worded on my part, but the expectation of the physio assessor that he isn’t disabled enough to get PIP and should instead go out to work, when even a trip to his hospital appointment leaves him needing a 3 hour nap and walking upstairs to the bathroom is a struggle, is bloody infuriating.

Thanks Nat That's a really helpful post, I will read it properly later.

Would I be able to get any help with rails etc as it's a rented house?
I only live with my kids so nobody to write a letter for me.
I do have a diagnosis but they are thinking the original diagnosis might of been wrong, as I shouldn't still be in so much pain, so the blood tests are to see if it's something else.

I’ve been through the system so know it well…I was awarded Pip standard living and enhanced mobility for similar issues to you…however I know it is a complete guess as to whether you get a sympathetic assessor or not. In terms of ESA /UC may have missed your reply but have you had your work capability assessment? It sounds like you would meet the LWRCA guidelines which means extra money and no requirement for search for work?

You would need the landlord’s permission to make any adaptations made to the property itself, but portable ones you don’t.

Do you rent privately or from the council/housing association?

Hi @CrushingSheep just to give you a bit of hope I went from getting nothing on mobility under PIP in my first application (when I moved over from DLA where I’d had a life time award as I have a chronic illness which won’t get better) to getting full mobility in my most recent application. My condition hadn’t changed - which shows how bonkers and arbitrary the system is - but I had been able to articulate that I couldn’t do things reasonably, safely and to an acceptable standard (or whatever the exact wording is on the form).

Definitely apply, I would also strongly recommend the benefits and work website mentioned upthread, definitely worth the money to make sure you get the wording right to articulate how your condition affects you.

Ask for mandatory reconsideration if you get refused at first. Then appeal if you need to. I’ve had decisions overturned at MR before so it is worth asking for this.

As someone else said focus on what it is like on your ‘worst day’ not your best. I sometimes need walking aids (crutches) but can’t always use them as I have hands affected by the same condition as feet which makes holding a crutch impossible sometimes however I’m always in pain from the moment I start moving, so this means I can’t walk reliably, safely or to an acceptable standard.

Best of luck with it

I've been receiving PIP for years, firstly due to MH. The key is assuming they think you're a massive liar and backing up as much as you can with independent evidence. I'd be asking the job coach for a supporting statement in relation to the difficulties you have.

You mention you have very deep reactions to perceived rejection and that you've struggled to regulate your emotions for years. These are all red flags for ADHD in women and are often mis-diagnosed as MH conditions. I mention this as I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder, depression etc. Due to this, I lost years of my life when all I needed was an ADHD diagnosis and a daily stimulant.

If this is something you'd like to look into it is quicker to pursue an ADHD assessment (either for yourself or your child) by using the NHS patient choice pathway, where the NHS fund a private assessment for you.

I help a lot of people to claim PIP, I agree with others it's hard to get but I think you just have to take it to appeal if need be. It seems to be increasingly difficult to get any points ! Have you been assessed for work capability on UC, are you handing in sick notes ? This is entirely seperate to PIP, but if awarded LCWRA then you cold get extra money on your claim.

Myusername & Babyroobs No I've not had an assessment. I gave them the letter from the physio & they said 'If things get too much then get yourself signed off'.
Do I just ask the GP to sign me off? I'm not sure how to word it, as I'm not really being signed 'off' anything am I?! (Seeing as I'm not working)

127 Thank you, I'm glad you finally got your proper diagnosis.
I will look into that.
The statement from my work coach will be difficult as the one I had has just left, & this new one I've only spoken to once, over the phone, so she doesn't really 'know' how much I've been struggling.

Thanks so much for that Poppy. I've been thinking about the 'safety' aspect... I fell down some steps in May after missing a step, & a fell over an obstacle in a park in June... But I didn't go to the GP for either of those so there's no proof (apart from my wounded pride!)

LargeLegoHaul That's going to be difficult then as it's privately rented & I just don't see them agreeing to things like that.

Forgetting all the benefits talk, now that I've actually explained how much daily pain I'm in to the GP, I'm hoping that maybe I can get some proper pain relief other than 'Take some ibuprofen & use ice', & then it might make things easier for me.

I've ticked the box on my Universal credit claim saying that my conditions ARE now affecting my ability to look for work, & I've done the referal for wellbeing.

Would my mum be able to write me a letter about my feet? Even though I don't live with her?

You can self refer for an occupational therapy assessment and they’ll assess what support (eg rails) you need at home. Usually you just contact your council - just check their website.

Thanks Cactus. I'm not sure what they could do really as, what I really need, with the incontinence & feet problems, is a house without stairs I suppose.
Stairlift possibly but I doubt the landlord would agree.

Yes definitely apply, use your WORST day not your best.

If you get refused, appeal.

They might be able to help you with getting a more suitable property.

OP I wouldn't get your hopes up, my mother had had 2 strokes and has joint issues, both conditions massively affect her day to day life, movement etc and she isn't entitled to a penny from PIP.

Thanks HopefulMum I'm sorry about your mum. It's ridiculous isn't it!
I'm holding off on PIP & trying for the LCW one for now. I just need a break from it all. I feel pathetic for it. It's not like I'm having to go out to work is it, but I just feel like I need a break from the work stuff for now. (They did give me a week of no courses when my mum was in hospital,

Hit post too soon.

...After that week off it was straight back to courses 5 days a week.

It's not going well. The GP receptionist refused to let me speak to any Dr apart from the one I spoke to the other day & said I'll have to call on Monday. I told her I didn't see this Dr the other day I just spoke to her on the phone & I can tell any other Dr the same things, on the phone today, & they can see on my notes anyway about the depression, feet & incontinence, but she kept insisting that it's the only Dr I can speak to.

She asked when my next work commitment is so I said I have one today, 2 on Monday all online, & an in person one on Tuesday & Wednesday. So she said 'You don't need it until Tuesday then' I said 'No, I updated my journal yesterday & it's now asking for a fit note, I have online meetings today & Monday, it's not only the in person ones that 'count'. & She said 'But you aren't seeing anybody in person until Tuesday so you don't need it until then'.

In the end I said 'You won't let me speak to any other Dr so what choice do I have'. & I hung up. They did call back once but I cut them off. I hope she feels good about herself

I'm now sat here crying. I've got my appointment due to start at 9.30 & they are calling to confirm my attendance.

I got my sick note for a month & I thought that meant things would get easier for a bit, less pressure etc. Just for a few weeks.

My employment advisor still wanted me to attend the 2 weekly meetings. She never answers my messages so I had to keep logging back in & sent 3 before I got a response, then she just said that I should still attend. I actually got quite upset with her & said that I thought I was supposed to be having a break but constantly checking for messages, not being replied too then still having to attend meetings isn't a break!

She said I was disrespecting her & made me feel like shit

My new employment advisor at UC also said that I still need to attend my 2 weekly meetings, so I attended that today & she asked me what jobs I've applied for etc... All the usual stuff. I just sat there & looked at her for a few seconds then said 'Not much'. & She went through all the vacancies & sent me 6 to apply for...

Is this normal? I'm not sure how this is supposed to be 'signed off', when nothing has changed? I don't know why people kept telling me to 'Get signed off' either when it hasn't done anything.

It's a rubbish system but unfortunately you still have to have meeting with your work coach until you've had your medical assessment and been awarded LCW or LCWRA. A sympathetic work coach should make adjustments/ turn off work search commitments for people who have been issued with a sick note like yourself, but it doesn't always happen. You could try complaining.

Thanks for answering me Babyroobs Yes, I was expecting to still have the one set of meetings every other week (but not both as that makes it weekly) & I was expecting a chat about things going forward today, tbh. She didn't mention the sick note at all just said 'I've heard that you asked for a break from your employment advisor'.
And then asked 'How have things been?' I said 'About the same tbh.' & she sighed & said 'Really?' like she was disappointed.

I don't think it's worth complaining but thank you. It's really hard to find info online about what being 'Signed off' means.

Aah. I just typed in the exact words you used, Babyroobs & on the website 'New to Universal credit' it says quite clearly 'If you have a current fit note you will not need to be available for or need to look for work'.

Not really sure what to do with that info though.

Just an update, I've been awarded LCWRA today, I've had my PIP assessment & just waiting to hear.

Great news regarding the LCWRA.

Thanks Babyroobs. It's a huge weight off my mind just to get the jobcentre off my back for a bit as things have been really difficult there lately.