Been awarded PIP - can't believe it

[Springwillsaveme]

I have severe anxiety and panic disorder and moderate depression. I got the phone call yesterday to say I was being awarded higher rate daily and standard mobility.

I cried with gratitude.

All I kept reading was how most people get a no first application and how other people with seemingly "worse" physical disabilities than me had been rejected.

It felt so wonderful to have my condition acknowledged and validated after people tend to roll their eyes a bit at anxiety currently but this has effected my life so much for 13 years.

Just wanted to share. And ask a question. She said I would be getting a back payment from October and that it would be a large sum, was I OK to have it in one go. What does large mean? It's relative surely, calculated online as just over 3000 - does that sound right to anyone?

if you work out the number of weeks since you applied and multiply that by the amount you have been awarded weekly that gives you the amount you will be paid in the first payment.

It felt so wonderful to have my condition acknowledged and validated

Why did you need it validated externally. Surely you know how you feel. Also why do you refer to your disability as "wonderful"?

I got it straight away too. I work full time in the NHS. £412.40 a month. I was shocked after all the stories I heard. I have a physical and mental disability and it really helps me.

Idk as I'm useless at maths. But if you're on higher rate for daily living and regular for mobility I think it's about £600 a month? That's if you're single mind.

Are you able to work? If not are you on UC for disability also? You could be entitled to new style ESA but only if you've worked quite a lot in the past but can't now. Ie paid quite a lot of NI.

@Springwillsaveme That must be such a weight lifted from your mind 💐 Applying for PIP is horrendous, & while I understand why they ask the questions, it really does take you to Hell & back. As PP has stated, your lump sum will be the amount of weeks since your applied backdated (IIRKC).

I found my 8 year old daughter dead one morning and have significant PTSD that affects my every day living. I scored…0 points on the assessment! Must depend on the assessor obviously 🤷‍♀️

I didn't. I said it felt wonderful to have my condition validated. That is very different.

When friends and family have questioned your condition because it is inconvenient for them, it IS helpful to see professionals acknowledge it.

What is wrong with you? Seriously!

@Springwillsaveme congratulations! I hope it will really improve the quality of you life

I'm so sorry. It seems there is no rhyme or reason. Did you request a copy of the assessment? What was their reasoning for 0?

Unfortunately PIP really does come down to the assessor and decision maker. Some have experience in what the person is applying for and it helps and other times they don’t have a clue so struggle to have the understanding. Im very sorry about your daughter.

So sorry 💐

Well done I think its higher care and low rate mobility but that’s a rough guess. You will have the letter soon.

I understand @Springwillsaveme
That must be such a relief 💕

I’m sure you’d prefer not to have the condition. It is treatable with deep therapy and/or meds so don’t think this is your life forever.

the reason they ask about the large sum is that it can tip some peoples savings over the allowable amount for savings for other benefits - so they can make monthly payments of the back pay or put it straight onto say a credit card debt for you so its not through your account. They won't put you in a worse position by giving you the back pay basically

Yes, that sounds right - my daughter’s claim took 8m from first call to receipt and she got over £3k in her first payment too.

Really hope you can use it to enhance your life - therapy, taxis to get you to places with less stress, etc. it really does have an impact, as does the feeling validated and seen.

Thank you, that's interesting. I don't have any savings so this will be so helpful to me.

That is exactly what I want help with, those kind of things.im really hoping it can be the start of a new chapter for me where those things are affordable and I can make some progress and life easier!

Lucky you (and I don’t mean that sarcastically). I have autism and anorexia on top of depression and anxiety but apparently I can feed myself adequately no problem because I have a job 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ (despite being on long term sick which should demonstrate that I am not able to work and work making my symptoms a million times worse).

That is so frustrating I'm sorry.

I thought PIP wasn't supposed to be related to whether you work or not?

I have worked in the past but 2 months ago had to give up work completely as my mental health deteriorated. We did discuss this but I haven't seen the report yet.

Where did OP say her condition was wonderful?

It definitely does i have multiple organ failure and bipolar disorder and brain damage and I was rejected first time

@21stcenturyongoing do you have a disability yourself?

That must be such a relief OP, glad your claim was successful.

OMG I'm so sorry OP, that's absolutely tragic. That assessor can't be quite human.

What a meanie. You know that’s not what OP said.