PIP Award Question

ConfusedMan

Hey

I have a few questions regarding my PIP award.

I have been awarded 12 points for planning and following a journey because of my anxiety, I have been reading and listening to self-help videos, podcasts things like that and want to start trying to take small steps to improve my mental health with hopefully one day overcome my issues.

I told them that I never go out alone at my appeal when I was awarded this but want to try and start taking small journeys as a start, nothing big just 5-10 minute walks around the area I live to see if I can manage this on my own, I understand that there will be little to no interaction with other people but I want to start small and build up to bigger things.

If I am out alone but my award and I receive PIP for never going out alone could I get in trouble, I do not want to contact them and say I can do this or that then I find I am not yet ready and have another long battle to get things put back.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

poppy123456

PIP is how you’re affected the majority of the days so at least 50% of the days over a 12 month period. Claiming PIP doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have a life. 

calcotti

PIP is based on what you can do on the majority of days. It is not based on what you may manage to do on less than half the days.

ConfusedMan

The reason for asking is a number of years ago I had an interview under caution, I was on incapacity benefit and was discussing and setting up my own business, I was not earning but as my website was based online I set it up and was making sure everything was working before the support grant payments had been issued, my advisor said I could do this because I was allowed to prepare things but not earn anything and someone reported my online activity. Nothing came of the interview but was warned that all changes must be reported without delay and any breach at any time in the future could face consequences

Now I am worried about not reporting things, it is not like I am planning a 3-month holiday but I hope you can see it from my point of view with the bulk of the award is based on not going out alone planning and following a journey and I am reported as one of my neighbors that is all they do is look to report everyone for anything I would not want to have another of their interviews as it terrified the life out of me being accused of this or that.

Thanks

poppy123456

ConfusedMan said:

I hope you can see it from my point of view with the bulk of the award is based on not going out alone planning and following a journey

There's a lot of people that think this and not just for this descriptor. You weren't awarded for not being able to go out alone 100% of the time because that's not what it's about.

Not all changes need to be reported. Working while claiming certain other benefits now and in the past is different.

ConfusedMan

poppy123456 said:

ConfusedMan said:

I hope you can see it from my point of view with the bulk of the award is based on not going out alone planning and following a journey

There's a lot of people that think this and not just for this descriptor. You weren't awarded for not being able to go out alone 100% of the time because that's not what it's about.

Not all changes need to be reported. Working while claiming certain other benefits now and in the past is different.

Thanks, it got quite confusing in the past as I was not working it was preparing things for when the jeb center partner processed the grant application and the confusion came when someone reported the website was online but the fact it was only for testing no live customers had been able to place orders but the interviewer with the phrases he used after the interview left me worried about any other misunderstandings of any kind in the future as this neighbor knows very little about anything but reports everything.

It even goes to the point I am sure he is CCTV-ing my home from his bedroom window but thats another matter.

ConfusedMan

poppy123456 said:

ConfusedMan said:

I hope you can see it from my point of view with the bulk of the award is based on not going out alone planning and following a journey

There's a lot of people that think this and not just for this descriptor. You weren't awarded for not being able to go out alone 100% of the time because that's not what it's about.

Not all changes need to be reported. Working while claiming certain other benefits now and in the past is different.

Thanks, it got quite confusing in the past as I was not working it was preparing things for when the jeb center partner processed the grant application and the confusion came when someone reported the website was online but the fact it was only for testing no live customers had been able to place orders but the interviewer with the phrases he used after the interview left me worried about any other misunderstandings of any kind in the future as this neighbor knows very little about anything but reports everything.

It even goes to the point i am sure he is CCTV-ing my home from his bedroom window but thats another matter.

Lou67

@ConfusedMan
Good morning I hope your well. 

I hope Poppy and Calcotti’s advice has eased your worry’s.
As you are allowed a life outside your home.

Take care