As sweet as-pie
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I've been out of education, employment or training for the past 2 years now. There is no way that I could get a job at this point, and I have tried to return to education several times now without success. This is a combination of both the fact I'm autistic and also other anxiety disorders such as social anxiety and PTSD.
Unfortunately, (without trying to get too political), the government have recently made a lot of cuts to disability benefits and especially specified that ATOS should discriminate against people with mental health issues.
For example someone who cannot walk and needs a wheelchair but can go out alone would get the mobility component whereas someone who cannot leave the house at all due to distress would not in most cases. I think this is completely wrong, mental disability is just as severe if not more as physical.
As far as the actual questions on the PIP form are concerned, I pretty much quality for everything as I suffer from executive dysfunction so I can't cook or eat or drink or shower etcetc without being reminded, I just get distracted doing something else. I noticed on the mobility questions and the questions about socialisation they asked if you experience severe anxiety or distress and I'm pretty sure this is a trick question given that you're less eligible if you experience anxiety. Perhaps this will be different because I have PTSD which is harder to cure but I doubt it. I just noted things about disorientation and meltdowns instead, hopefully that is enough.
I should have my assessment appointment soon but knowing what these people are like I'm worried I won't be awarded my benefits and will have to appeal, if I have to then I will but I really don't want to have to go through that if there's any way I can get them the first time round.
TL;DR Does anyone have any experience of PIP? (hopefully good ones...)
Is there any way I can convince them to award me my PIP the first time round given that I am undoubtedly disabled and should be given both components at the higher rate? (being disabled really isn't enough, their job is to decline as many people as possible unfortunately.) There is no other option, I can't work or study at this time.
I've been out of education, employment or training for the past 2 years now. There is no way that I could get a job at this point, and I have tried to return to education several times now without success. This is a combination of both the fact I'm autistic and also other anxiety disorders such as social anxiety and PTSD.
Unfortunately, (without trying to get too political), the government have recently made a lot of cuts to disability benefits and especially specified that ATOS should discriminate against people with mental health issues.
For example someone who cannot walk and needs a wheelchair but can go out alone would get the mobility component whereas someone who cannot leave the house at all due to distress would not in most cases. I think this is completely wrong, mental disability is just as severe if not more as physical.
As far as the actual questions on the PIP form are concerned, I pretty much quality for everything as I suffer from executive dysfunction so I can't cook or eat or drink or shower etcetc without being reminded, I just get distracted doing something else. I noticed on the mobility questions and the questions about socialisation they asked if you experience severe anxiety or distress and I'm pretty sure this is a trick question given that you're less eligible if you experience anxiety. Perhaps this will be different because I have PTSD which is harder to cure but I doubt it. I just noted things about disorientation and meltdowns instead, hopefully that is enough.
I should have my assessment appointment soon but knowing what these people are like I'm worried I won't be awarded my benefits and will have to appeal, if I have to then I will but I really don't want to have to go through that if there's any way I can get them the first time round.
TL;DR Does anyone have any experience of PIP? (hopefully good ones...)
Is there any way I can convince them to award me my PIP the first time round given that I am undoubtedly disabled and should be given both components at the higher rate? (being disabled really isn't enough, their job is to decline as many people as possible unfortunately.) There is no other option, I can't work or study at this time.