PIP

The way to take my comments is not to be offended but realise that different people have different opinions. 

In February this year I had an appointment at the money advice service to discuss my debt problems.  There we discussed how to minimise spending and maximise income.  Two things they advised me to do was apply for both ESA and PIP.  I refused saying that my mental health case workers consider me able to work.

They corrected me, saying that half of people getting PIP,  are actually in work.  So apply for it.  And it is not there to top up my benefits but to give financial help with day to day living costs for people with disabilities .

Not sure how to take this comment, I can’t work, have issues with functioning at home, and can’t afford to live. So don’t know how this comment is supposed to help

Sorry about you not getting PIP.  

But I got a fresh perspective about PIP from the money advice service.  They said that PIP is both an in work and out of work benefit.  And that many working people claim PIP as help to stay in work, rather than a way to top up their out of work benefits.

I’ve been awarded nothing! Looks like I’m gonna have to go back to work and most likely end up working myself into an early grave! 

yep I’m sure, so was CAB and so was esa(in support group)

No reply yet, just a feeling. No I can’t its a bit of a blur, my mum thinks it went ok 

That's a bummer - PIP is all about points make prizes - you need to tick their boxes to score points - were you sure you had met the criteria?   It's all about not being able to look after yourself - washing, eating, communicating, getting about etc. How does it affect you?

Sorry to hear you didn't think it went well.

I'm high functioning, work as a teacher, am highly academic (my last app had a lot of evidence of the support I have for my PHD) etc and I receive PIP. As such, I don't believe being seen as 'normal' is an issue. I hope your appeal has gone better than you think but if it hasn't it might help to receive some 3rd party advice, such as speaking to CAB, to get an independent perspective on what's went wrong e.g did you not submit enough evidence, are you unable to clearly articulate your points as to why you meet the criteria etc

Did they turn you down? Could you tell us what happened and what they ask you? I'm HF too and know this is a problem where most people assume because we seem "able" we are competent, when in reality everyday is a struggle to do basic things.

Well that went s##t, I really wish I couldn’t speak! Being high functioning sucks, I need help but can’t get as I seem ‘normal’

I thought I’d be more anxious but am surprisingly ok. It’s annoying that it’s happening right now but going through a stage of not feeling much of anything which also makes me less autistic and look more normal. Great lol

Good luck - I've done one - very stressful build-up but actually quite ok - these people are NOT the DWP - they just look at the real medical evidence - they have no axe to grind or targets to screw you over.