Can I claim ESA and PIP at the same time?

Lupus said:

For example, there's a section where it asks if you can make your own food, I said that my mum makes all my meals but I am able to make sandwiches, so they gave me 0 points for that section because I am technically able to make food, even if it's just sandwiches. 

I disagree. If Lupus ate sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of their life they wouldn't die as they'd be getting enough food to survive. If the sandwiches contain a carb and a protein source, plus if there's salad, or a piece of fruit is ate on the side, a person could have a very balanced diet from having sandwich based meals alone.

What PIP are looking for in regards to this question are can you cook a meal 

• Safely - yes, Lupus is not injuring themselves when they make a sandwich, nor are they putting anyone else lives in danger
• Fast enough - yes, they're able to make it and eat it in an appropriate time frame
• Well enough - yes, it meets there needs when their mum is unable to make a meal
• Often enough - they eat it whenever there required to cook a meal on their own

Based on this I agree with the assessor's decision.

Many people would class my presentation of being autistic as mild as I work and am highly educated, however, this actually causes me greater challenges and I have been awarded points relating to making meals as unlike Lupas, there are times when I genuinely cannot do this without support. For example, if I have to travel for training or to speak at an event I suffer sensory overload leaving me unable to even follow the basic steps of making a sandwich, instead I have to order a take away if I am going to eat whilst in the house alone. Furthermore, I often can't cook a meal safely without support as when experiencing a meltdown, extreme fatigue from working in a predominantly NT workplace or if I'm just mentally unwell, I will leave the gas on, this has led to overheating plates that have caused explosions in the kitchen. Plus, I've set fire to tea towels when cooking and being I'm too unwell to function to an acceptable standard.

Then that's incorrect - making meals means just that - you cannot survive on sandwiches so you are NOT capable of making a meal - you rely on external help..   This is how they cheat people with legitimate claims.   They're sneaky. 

PIP is very difficult to get if your autism is relatively "mild" (in comparison to those with Autism that can't speak or do anything for themselves).

For example, there's a section where it asks if you can make your own food, I said that my mum makes all my meals but I am able to make sandwiches, so they gave me 0 points for that section because I am technically able to make food, even if it's just sandwiches. 

Thank you for the update. I am glad to hear that your assessment went well. There is some really useful information in your message! Much appreciated.

If there is no section to fill in to request a home assessment, perhaps I could enclose a cover letter of sorts with my form to explain such; aswell as my doctor and specialist letters to back it. What do you think?

Thank you again!

I had my assessment this morning. Mine was with Capita and when I rang up to make the appt they explained they only had availability for a home visit, so this is what I had, they've never asked for medical evidence in relation to choosing the assessment location.

Here's a link to the form, I think page 31 is what Deepthought is on about -

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713118/pip2-how-your-disability-affects-you-form.pdf

My assessor was lovely today and the assessment only took 30 minutes. She just went through the descriptors and I verbally explained how my life was affected This is the bit where I think they're checking to see if what you verbally state matches up to what you've written. She did ask at the end if there was anything else I'd like to add and I gave her a few medical letters I'd been sent since sending off my form - I'd annotated these to highlight how they related to PIP.

She said it would be 4-8 weeks until I hear anything back but did state they'd probably get me in for a review again in a few years time.  If they were going to decline my award there wouldn't be anything to renew so I take it she'll be recommending to the decision making that my award is extended  It was recommended I was reviewed every 4 years last time.

To give you an idea of time scales, I posted my updated application on the 27th May, assessment took place on the 25th Aug and I'll hear back by the end of Oct. I did chase the DWP after I handed my form in so my assessment would have been booked in a few weeks later if I'd have waited for a letter to call them to arrive.

That is great advice and thank you for the information!

Creative26 said:

How do I arrange a home assessment? will that be a section of the form to fill in OR will I need to phone them up especially?

Like the ESA form there is section at the end of the PIP form asking about attending an interview. You will need of course a letter confirming that you require home visits from your GP, and if you keep your home appointment letters ~ copies of the most recent ones will further support this. You may well be sent an assessment center appointment anyway. so as such you will need to make a telephone call to get the home visit booked instead, and PIP is now reviewed every three years requiring updated or new information on each occasion.

Excellent. Thank you for your advice.

How do I arrange a home assessment? will that be a section of the form to fill in OR will I need to phone them up especially? Also, how often is PIP it usually reviewed?

Thank you again. I appreciate your help.

Yes you can arrange a home assessment.

The PIP process is slow. If you rang up today and your form came late next week you'd have 4 weeks to send it back. You can look up the descriptors today and start preparing your answers so that would give you at least 5 weeks to keep coming back to the form and adding any extra info. I updated my medical conditions in May and have a home assessment with Capita this weekend. Therefore, even after you've sent the form off there's a number of months to gather additional evidence to hand in on the day.

From what I remember the assessment is more of a conversation aimed at checking what you've written down is true, as well as an opportunity to find out more information if needed. If you think a FAQ sheet would help you could certainly add that as additional info at the start of your home visit. 

I've normally attended the assessment alone but as it's now at my house at a wekeend my husband is going to be there and has agreed to add any additional information if he thinks it would be beneficial.

Thank you both for your advice!

Yes, I have recent medical letters from both my general physician and specialty doctor explaining a little about my conditions and inability to leave the house. Would I be able to a arrange a home assessment? As I mentioned before, I have been unable to leave the house; it has been nearly two years now.

As an autistic with anxiety, the idea of talking with someone sounds terrifying to me at the moment; especially an ‘assessor’ which is a daunting prospect in itself. When I am nervous I tend to be forgetful; what if I forget to mention something important or what if my answers are not as comprehensive as they may need them to be?

I was recently required to fill in a ESA50 form for the Department for work and pensions in which I detailled my healthcare professionals, my conditions, medication, treatments [past and present] aswell as daily living issues including: [all of which require assistance, prompting and/or supervision]

- Learning how to do tasks
- Awareness of hazards or danger
- Starting and finishing tasks
- Coping with changes
- Going out
- Coping with social situations
- Behaving appropriately

I thought about repurposing this into an F.A.Q of sorts that I could hand to the PIP assessor if I decide to claim. This could a effective way for me to say very little but still provide them with the information that they need. Some minor elaborations may be required but, with the support of a family member present, I will do my best in the moment- but at least the F.A.Q would have highlight the main points already. Is this a good idea?

Thank you again. Please keep your advice coming.

Yes you can. I was originally awarded PIP due to MH labels and believe the process is a lot easier than applying for ESA.

Unfortunately, I've known a few people try to fraudulently claim PIP. As such, the process is a lot smoother if you can back up as many points as possible with independent evidence that is sent off with your application. For example, this is how I'd answer the 'reading and understanding signs, symbols and words' section - 

"I experience visual stress as black text on a white background 'buzzes' causing me to experience migraines, as well as rapid fatigue. As page xx of the needs assessment report demonstrates due to this I use aid in the form of assistive technology (Claro Read) to tint my computer screen to enable me to read for more sustained periods, including throughout the working day."

I've never had to receive support from others, such as CAB, as approaching the application in this way as meant my initial application's and renewal applications have always been successful. 

Also - make sure you get help filling in the form - it's long & complicated and you need to make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot by accidentally saying you're ok - especially as you say you need others to enable your life - that means you cannot do those functions.    CAB offer the form-help service as well as lots of other groups - I'm sure others will add detail to this thread.

Hi - PIP is a disability payment - it's not means tested - it's an additional payment available to anyone if you meet the criteria for needs.   It's based around the difficulties of your daily life like being able to clean yourself, feed yourself, get about, socialise etc.   

Make sure you have all your medical evidence like recent letters from your social worker, doctor, and other medical professionals you interact with before you kick off your claim as missing evidence will get you rejected - and that can be a real pain to deal with.  If you don't have recent letters, ask for them so you've got a fresh set to send off with your application.

ESA is effectively the old dole payments - there is an enhanced rate available if you're disabled so it's worth pursuing the PIP as a qualifier.