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Can I claim ESA and PIP at the same time?

Creative26

Hello everyone. I was hoping for some advice if any of you could help please. Can I claim ESA and PIP at the same time?

I have been unable to work due to mental illness and I have been claiming ESA [income related]. I have anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder that affect daily living. I am unable to leave the house and rely heavily on family members to help me. 

Someone I know, who has similar conditions, said that he claims both ESA and PIP and that it is fine to do so. I have researched the criteria for PIP and feel that I am eligible. However, I am worried that it will either replace, reduce or risk my ESA if I apply for PIP aswell.

Is there anyone else on here that can offer advice to ensure that this does not happen or what I should do incase it does? And just general advice when applying for it and things to expect from the assessment process?

Much appreciated. Thank you.

Parents

  • 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. 

  • in reply to Lupus

    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. 

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Plastic

    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.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Plastic

    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.

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