Page 2 | To ask you to submit your contribution to the Green Paper on PIP...

WiddlinDiddlin · 2025-04-18T01:59:48+00:00

Not interested in any benefits bashing, but if you want to make a contribution to the consultation, here's your chance to do it. [[https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper]]

AirborneElephant · 20/04/2025 09:01

BottleBlondeMachiavelli · 18/04/2025 20:40

It’s absolutely true. I only got a PIP award in the end because I read the criteria after my second refusal and took it to tribunal. The PIP assessors were both absolutely obsessed with the fact I was in work. They clearly thought it was a “gotcha” issue. Two different geographical areas, several years apart.

So many claimants report similarly, so it’s quite obvious why PIP continues to disproportionately go to those who are out of work. Most disabled people who are in work, don’t have time or energy left over to pursue tribunal cases. I only attempted it when I had the flexibility of freelancing.

Even then, my main driver in pursuing it was my fury that they were ignoring their own criteria and all the evidence I gave them of the adjustments and additional expense it takes to keep me in work.

I’m by far (multiples) the higher earner in my marriage but I wouldn’t have got to my current level without throwing a lot of extra money at the issues that have cropped up over the years. I probably would have done PT and coasted. Not everyone has the funds spare to back themselves, and disability costs are high.

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ok, so write to them about that experience. Please. It’s really valuable input, how can the system be changed so that it properly reflects disability, and so that people don’t feel they will lose PIP if they work?

Jabtastic · 20/04/2025 09:04

As a working disabled person I completed this. I get full PIP. The fact I have a brilliant boss is why I am still in work.

I hate what this country has become.

Jabtastic · 20/04/2025 09:09

BottleBlondeMachiavelli · 18/04/2025 20:40

It’s absolutely true. I only got a PIP award in the end because I read the criteria after my second refusal and took it to tribunal. The PIP assessors were both absolutely obsessed with the fact I was in work. They clearly thought it was a “gotcha” issue. Two different geographical areas, several years apart.

So many claimants report similarly, so it’s quite obvious why PIP continues to disproportionately go to those who are out of work. Most disabled people who are in work, don’t have time or energy left over to pursue tribunal cases. I only attempted it when I had the flexibility of freelancing.

Even then, my main driver in pursuing it was my fury that they were ignoring their own criteria and all the evidence I gave them of the adjustments and additional expense it takes to keep me in work.

I’m by far (multiples) the higher earner in my marriage but I wouldn’t have got to my current level without throwing a lot of extra money at the issues that have cropped up over the years. I probably would have done PT and coasted. Not everyone has the funds spare to back themselves, and disability costs are high.

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Yes what frustrates me is the 4 point change means that anyone in work will struggle to evidence their need for PIP regardless of condition or adjustments made. So basically by quitting work you are more likely to retain PIP. It's such a stupid change to make.

lanadelgrey · 20/04/2025 09:27

The you work gotcha has led to my DD going to tribunal. She is just embarking on her working life, has a variety of conditions, one stable but others variable. PIP could do one v basic thing, pay for an uber to get to the office rather than walk slowly and painfully to the tube to get to the office and mean that when she arrives she is not more exhausted and thus unable to work as effectively. At her stage in life she needs to be in an office at least some of the time to learn from others and make connections.
If she progresses in her line of work, she will probably end up being a higher rate taxpayer by 30 so I’m sure she’ll be a net contributor to the system. Due to her conditions, there are areas of work she wouldn’t be able to do.

TigerRag · 20/04/2025 10:26

lanadelgrey · 20/04/2025 09:27

The you work gotcha has led to my DD going to tribunal. She is just embarking on her working life, has a variety of conditions, one stable but others variable. PIP could do one v basic thing, pay for an uber to get to the office rather than walk slowly and painfully to the tube to get to the office and mean that when she arrives she is not more exhausted and thus unable to work as effectively. At her stage in life she needs to be in an office at least some of the time to learn from others and make connections.
If she progresses in her line of work, she will probably end up being a higher rate taxpayer by 30 so I’m sure she’ll be a net contributor to the system. Due to her conditions, there are areas of work she wouldn’t be able to do.

Has she looked at access to work? They can help with transport costs

Pussycat22 · 20/04/2025 10:31

Viviennemary · 18/04/2025 17:18

I'd like to see the end of PI.P. It's a disaster.

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Let's hope you never need it eh?

Original poster

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/04/2025 14:18

TigerRag · 20/04/2025 10:26

Has she looked at access to work? They can help with transport costs

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Access to Work almost certainly would not cover commute costs.

Lots of people have to commute, AtW cover the costs that are extra for a disabled person, that an able bodied person would not have - so for example, due to my disability I can't drive, and I need a specialist vehicle for my wheelchair so I can't use public transport.

AtW did pay a PA to drive my vehicle. They did not however, pay for the fuel costs, or the vehicle. My PIP pays for that.

So in the above case, if the person needed a PA to come with them, they'd pay the PA's hours and if using a 'pay per person' transport method, the PA's travel cost (train ticket, bus fare)... but they would not pay for the Uber itself.

Of course if you don't get PIP you're highly unlikely to get AtW (you'd need to be doing permitted work but considered disabled under UC, and if you didn't get PIP the chances of you getting that are very slim).

OP posts:

StrivingForSleep · 20/04/2025 14:37

Access to Work can and does cover transport to work if using public transport isn’t suitable. They wouldn’t fund a vehicle itself or fuel, but it can and does fund things like a taxi or adaptations to someone’s vehicle.

You don’t need to get UC or ESA to get access to work, either.

LadyKenya · 20/04/2025 14:56

Pussycat22 · 20/04/2025 10:31

Let's hope you never need it eh?

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This.

BottleBlondeMachiavelli · 20/04/2025 21:42

AirborneElephant · 20/04/2025 09:01

ok, so write to them about that experience. Please. It’s really valuable input, how can the system be changed so that it properly reflects disability, and so that people don’t feel they will lose PIP if they work?

Edited

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Yes, I will.

Pussycat22 · 21/04/2025 15:33

LadyKenya · 20/04/2025 14:56

This.

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'"This" what??

Berrytea · 21/04/2025 15:35

AirborneElephant · 18/04/2025 07:40

People always emphasise that on here, but only one in six PIP claimants are in any form of employment. So it’s perfectly reasonable to look into the role of PIP in encouraging long term unemployment.

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People claiming pip aren’t unemployed because of it. They’re unemployed because they’re disabled and have complex and difficult circumstances