I've never tried applying but am currently considering it.
I'm currently employed but cannot work full time due constant burnouts. Even part time can be too much for me. I don't know if the fact that I work will be used against me.
Just wondering if anyone has gone through the process
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test
have you tried this online tool? It will give you an idea of what you may be awarded if anything. I only score 4 points but they’re for physical issues
I get the lowest figure of PIP, but that;s not 'cos i'm autistic, it's other mobility problems. I've been thinking of re-applying 'cos i'm much worse, but last time i had to have a phone 'interview' which lasred an hour. Because of my autism, i don't think i could go through that again. Last time i got the CAB to help fill the form. I've just been register sight impaired and the RNIB have offered to help. I know i should go but, it's the thought of that hour long telephone call which is making me reluctant. It's all wrong to be treated this way.
It’s so intimidating isn’t it Cullpepper? We were made almost ill with the stress of it - both times. We dread the time when my son will have to reapply. True DREAD. It’s just the forms etc it’s the stress of the fact that it feels quite threatening in a way? Like their basic assumption when approaching you is with suspicion I’m some way. Because both myself and my son are autistic we find that ‘sense’ of sort of ‘interrogation’ really really hard to cope with. The first time my son applied (for DLA at the time) the assessor came to the house and we found that SO difficult to cope with. We don’t really have anyone come to our house (unless it’s completely unavoidable) because we struggle with that at the best of times. But feeling that this person was almost trying to ‘catch us out’ even though we knew we’d not done anything wrong - it was really horrible. My son in particular has such a worry about being ‘told off’ or accidentally doing something wrong - and it made him incredibly anxious. Fortunately his most recent renewal was during Covid and they didn’t do a home visit or him having to talk to them on the phone (my son can’t talk on the phone due to his Selective Mutism). That was such a relief for him.
I think the whole process of claiming PIP is not autism friendly at all (understatement!). In fact claiming anything is not easy if you have any neurodivergence or mental health issues. It should be a kinder and more supportive application process. I feel sure that without my support my adult son would never apply for it because it’s so complicated and also so intimidating. I’m sure there must be countless people out there who are entitled to PIP but just can’t cope with the application process. The thing that angers me is that I think the Govt deliberately designs it to make it hard to claim - fully knowing that this must deter some of the most vulnerable people in society who desperately need the help. Sorry - starting to rant! But I feel so passionately about this.
It’s so intimidating isn’t it Cullpepper? We were made almost ill with the stress of it - both times. We dread the time when my son will have to reapply. True DREAD. It’s just the forms etc it’s the stress of the fact that it feels quite threatening in a way? Like their basic assumption when approaching you is with suspicion I’m some way. Because both myself and my son are autistic we find that ‘sense’ of sort of ‘interrogation’ really really hard to cope with. The first time my son applied (for DLA at the time) the assessor came to the house and we found that SO difficult to cope with. We don’t really have anyone come to our house (unless it’s completely unavoidable) because we struggle with that at the best of times. But feeling that this person was almost trying to ‘catch us out’ even though we knew we’d not done anything wrong - it was really horrible. My son in particular has such a worry about being ‘told off’ or accidentally doing something wrong - and it made him incredibly anxious. Fortunately his most recent renewal was during Covid and they didn’t do a home visit or him having to talk to them on the phone (my son can’t talk on the phone due to his Selective Mutism). That was such a relief for him.
I think the whole process of claiming PIP is not autism friendly at all (understatement!). In fact claiming anything is not easy if you have any neurodivergence or mental health issues. It should be a kinder and more supportive application process. I feel sure that without my support my adult son would never apply for it because it’s so complicated and also so intimidating. I’m sure there must be countless people out there who are entitled to PIP but just can’t cope with the application process. The thing that angers me is that I think the Govt deliberately designs it to make it hard to claim - fully knowing that this must deter some of the most vulnerable people in society who desperately need the help. Sorry - starting to rant! But I feel so passionately about this.
I hope the Tories are out soon too. Like you though I’m not convinced a Labour government is going massively transform anything - but they’ll at least be better than the current Tory bunch. I’ve never known such terrible Governments as the last 3 Tory Governments. Shockingly bad. Sometimes so bad you can’t quite take it in.
I agree with you that the govt deliberately makes it hard to claim, there are two reasons why they do this:
1. because they really don’t think they have a “magic money tree” and are trying to restrict spending in all areas not just disability and mental health. Having said this though it is clear this lack of a magic money tree is only true when it suits them, so they are happy to plough billions endlessly into the defence budget, and spent huge sums in the pandemic, Which relates to the second reason …
2, primarily all that all politicians of all shades are concerned about is the power that being elected gives them and so they design their policies and procedures, and indeed spending, to appeal to the people who elected them in order to stay in power. The majority of the electorate under the first past the post system of the last general election are the Brexit xenophobes of judgmental right wing of the UK, many sadly those in dire need themselves of support (note the “red wall” seats).
Id like to hope that in the probable Labour govt which will follow the Tories things would improve, but don’t hold your breath as they as in thrall to this driver (point 2) as the Tories.
