Medical cannabis prescription and claiming PIP

cwatson0000
cwatson0000 Community Member Posts: 66 Contributor

I suppose this might be a niche topic for this forum but was wondering if anyone is claiming pip or UC work capability elements and is using medical cannabis as one of their prescribed medications for a health condition? I ask because im thinking of doing this via a private doctor since it’s been legal in the uk since 2018. Do the assessors take it seriously or do they then just suppose well they’re high all the time instead and think the claim is just a joke… just wondering if anyone would have some input on this and whether or not it would make the pip claim go not in favour due to the assessor not realising that cannabis is also a medicine. I would be using it for insomnia, depression and anxiety and I understand there is a criteria to be approved for medical cannabis alternative medicine and I do meet it.

Comments

  • waylander9602
    waylander9602 Community Member Posts: 77 Empowering

    Nope, you most definitely wont get it.

  • Mr_Shoes_Tied
    Mr_Shoes_Tied Community Member Posts: 157 Empowering

    Hmm I think you may face some ignorance on the part of the assessors but it shouldn't mean a straight no (or yes) for your claim because medication is just one part of it?

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,442 Online Community Team

    Hi @cwatson0000, usually PIP and UC health claims are more about your conditions and how they affect you based around certain day-to-day activities. With PIP, it's the points system described here: https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

    And for UC LCWRA it's similar: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/benefits/universal-credit-uc/how-universal-credit-health-element-lcwra-works-descriptors

    Some of the evidence may consider which medications you're taking, but I wouldn't think this would be the difference between being awarded and not being awarded. Especially if your medication has been prescribed by a medical doctor and is all above board.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,313 Championing

    Unless it's NHS approved, why mention it? You don't have that prescription and the NHS has very strict criteria for eligible patients so you may be disappointed.

    If you need PIP now, you should apply for it on the basis of your diagnoses and how you meet the descriptors for daily living/mobility and list all medications prescribed by your GP.

  • cwatson0000
    cwatson0000 Community Member Posts: 66 Contributor

    @WhatThe I think there’s really not enough information out there for medical cannabis in the UK… I’ve seen some videos where police officers find someone with medical cannabis, try and take it and have to call their supervisor for advice before actually realising it is legal with a prescription. Yes, the NHS don’t like to prescribe it but that doesn’t mean that private clinics won’t, in fact they do. Even on the basis of depression or anxiety. I’ve spoken to a friend who recently got approved on the basis of depression.

  • cwatson0000
    cwatson0000 Community Member Posts: 66 Contributor

    I do already claim UC and PIP on the main basis of mental illness, as well as having issues with addiction. This being said I know it’s controversial as to why I would then try medical cannabis, however you can only be approved thru a board of certified doctors. So I’m just wondering also like if I get re assessed and they see I have a history of addiction but then I’m prescribed weed, will that raise questions? And yes you can get prescribed medical cannabis even with a history of drug abuse, I don’t make the rules!

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,313 Championing

    I understand but you're asking about a PIP application here. I've said that I think they'll be more interested in a medication prescribed by your GP for your conditions.

  • mansourtaheriy4
    mansourtaheriy4 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Assessors look at how your conditions affect daily life, not just your medication. Keep focusing on your symptoms and struggles during the assessment.

  • mansourtaheriy4
    mansourtaheriy4 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    I would also focus on how your conditions affect daily tasks in the PIP assessment, not the name of the medicine. For managing symptoms at home, I order helpful supplies from SmokeDay.com and the plain packaging arrives discreetly in a few days. Just be honest about your treatment plan with your assessor.

  • Holly_Alumni
    Holly_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 6,534 Championing

    It is prescribed on medical grounds for certain conditions in the UK @SheffieldMan1976 but I think it's likely quite rare and in specific forms.

  • rubin16
    rubin16 Scope Member Posts: 1,617 Championing

    While that's true for NHS (You can only get it for a select conditions on the NHS) it doesn't extend to private clinics. You can get cannabis legal in the UK for various conditions such as Anxiety, Depression etc.

    And it was legalised in the UK in 2008 for Medical Purposes. Meaning its not just the NHS who can prescribe it and any private clinic or private doctor can legally prescribe it. There's now quite a few private clinics in the UK that offer it legally.

  • NoShame
    NoShame Community Member Posts: 21 Connected

    I get medical cannabis. Despite some comments here it is legal (Apple ban even legal things like torrenting apps and **** yet there are dozens of medical weed apps on the app store).

    it is prescribed by a medical doctor and comes with a prescription. If you carry it in its original packaging with prescription and don’t mix with tobacco the police cannot take it. I don’t drive but police guidelines are to allow twice the amount in blood tests than non prescribed users.

    PIP won’t give you a penny. And if they see you spending a fortune on it, they might not be inclined to give you any money at all, I only spend £40 a week.


    i used to smoke when young but rediscovered it due to chronic pain. It works as well as opioids for my issues but without the side effects.

    And as for full recreational legality i imagine Burnham will legalise unlike Starmer who despised it. Might buy him those extra votes when it comes to taking on Nasty Nige. Farrage himself would legalise it if some dodgy overseas business man bribed him enough…

  • NoShame
    NoShame Community Member Posts: 21 Connected
  • Gavinhxkrism
    Gavinhxkrism Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    PIP assessors look at how your condition affects your daily life, not which medication you take. A legal prescription won't disqualify you.

  • srdcovnik
    srdcovnik Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    PIP assessors look at how your condition affects your daily life, not which medication you take. A legal prescription won't disqualify you.