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Claim PIP for ASD?

Bettahm

I'm going to have a go and put in a claim. They can only refuse. Its affected me all my life though I only found out i had it this year, at 57. Bullied at high school which led to me being a fighter. I have a bad temper. Unable to hold down a job as couldn't cope with the ongoing social interaction thing, which led to me drinking heavily whenever i was employed as a means of coping. But been unemployed in my life more than in work. Cant form friendships as lack appropriate behaviour (think is the right way of putting it) and eventually anyone that does befriend me goes, saying I'm weird, or similar. Never had a relationship, no interest in love, sex, children, babies etc. I like being on my own. Cant cope with people, and end up drinking, I guess my way of coping. Cant even join a church, same thing happens. I tell myself dont screw up, but always do and end up drinking. I'm happier and dry when not involved with people. I use to mask it before I found out what it was but now I know I'm ASD I'm being honest about it.
Also I like and try to have a set routine, dont like change, and find a lot of things difficult to cope with. Annoyingly I find that people say they understand when they very obviously dont, or because I can appear 'normal' they suggest I'm not autistic "because my grandson is and you're nothing like him" .
Sure I could think of more but you get the idea. I want a part time job but know it wont work as it never has, so hope to find something in self employment, like before.
Bit concerned as my mh counsellor discharged me basically implying the mh problem stems from autism, and has referred me to Social Prescribing, whose name implies they get you out and about socially, meeting people, volunteering etc. I seriously do not want that.
Anyway, does anyone think I have a chance at PIP?

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Comments

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan Why not there is such a real situation you would and should get the support you deserve.

If you want that reading your post.

Please can I ask is the drinking becoming problems . Might need to ask me for any organisations or help.

Your decision your choices, can offer a lot of organisations, charities if you wish to ask, happy to supply.

I am sorry to hear the MH team discharged you.

Understand if you do not want these things to help you, know from MH charities do a lot.

Often a care plan to suit your needs. Opportunities are there to use the skills, talents any abilities to not only help yourself.

Also help any others, this my own story use what I learn to inspire heal those suffering.

If never enrolled or joined would never ended up doing the role I love. Using knowledge education to better myself.

Other advantages are looking at every thing you going through.

Claiming benefits always useful have support worker in your corner.

In lots of ways.

Speaks for you.

Please if I can be any help you know where I am.

@thespiceman

chiarieds

Hi @Franstrahan - There's no reason not to apply for PIP, but if you've looked around the forum about it, you will know it's not about any disability, 'tho these would be listed on a claim form, it's about how your disability affects you (which it undoubtedly does).

In case you haven't looked at the descriptors, I'll give a link, so you can look through them trying to work out where you may be awarded points. For a standard award you need 8 or more points, & for an enhanced one, you need 12 or more. See:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Hope this helps you decide.

Bettahm

@thespiceman
Hello, it's only since I found out this year about the ASD that things have started making sense, even if that doesnt help much. So the drinking is only when I am in a long term Social situation like a job, a church, a friendship. I cant cope with it, and I drink, I suppose to help or to make it go away. So I'm fine now because basically on my own. I've been fine with my self employed work pet caring and gardening I guess coz I was having minimum contact with people. So cant see a job with people working. Plus I think Social Prescribing is all about contact with other people. So need some support to find the right job, but just wondering if I qualify for PIP.
People say just go out and be with people. Bit like telling someone who's got a phobia about spiders to go and sit in a room full of them. I will apply for PIP I think anyway. They can only say no.
If I work part time, gardening, dog walking, whatever, think I would still get the PIP (if I get it in the first place).

Bettahm

@chiarieds
Thank you for that link. A lot to read there, I will test myself later. Then I'll have an inkling how it's going to go, because I've decided to apply.
I've been I'll with depression and anxiety for over a year, sitting around waiting for someone to help, and all that's happened is I get discharged from counselling as they think the problem stems from autism.
Time to take the bull by the horns I think!
Thank you.

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan Thank you for post, reply.

These are ones I used, give them a try. Mental Health Charities

https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

Telephone 020 7697 3300

https://www.mind.org.uk.
Telephone 0300 123 3393

https://www.rethink.org.
Telephone 0121 522 7007

Autism Support
National Autistic Society

Helpline 020 7833 2299
Alcohol Support If you need it.

https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Helpline 0800 9177 650

Anxiety depression links to excessive alcohol use.

Please take care hope these help you.

@thespiceman

Bettahm

@thespiceman
No it's not the alcohol that's the problem, it's long term Social interaction that's the problem. If I avoid that, I dont drink. I suppose it's a coping thing, I dont know. Counsellors say the depression and anxiety is from the autism, and they discharged me as autism is classed as a learning disability, not a mh problem.

@chiarieds
The only thing among the descriptors was the social engagement one I think. So seems a bit of a long shot, but will apply as need some help from somewhere. Hope for an assessor who will listen to the problem, but assume I'll have to fill out a form with all the info beforehand.

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan please may add something you might be interested.

Gardening a lot of resource centres, community centres so on, village halls areas of small land in towns villages.

Need volunteers to do gardens.

I have problems socially interaction, this way volunteer.

Meet people but not all the time as your usually given tasks on your own, if you wish to.

I created herb gardens for many places North East and got involved projects growing own food.

If you find a centre run for those with disabilities learning difficulties.

You get a lot of support, just an idea.

Anything they can help you with.

Run by trusts or associations look on line nearest one to you.

Expenses for travel lunch and some help with any issues.

@thespiceman

.

Bettahm

@thespiceman
I really dont want voluntary work. I have done it in the past, at a food bank and a local book shop. Neither worked out. More importantly if I'm going to work I want paying for it! Universal credit approx £65 a week, no money, almost certainly part of the cause of my current mh problems.
Dont like going out much at the moment but have to as I live alone.

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan thought it might help. Just some ideas.

I am confused that is all . I got the impression you wanted some help, to interact meet people.

Sorry I thought being helpful.

Life to me is very short and its what you make it, despite everything.

Old saying life is a journey. Or my favourite one.

If you put a stone in your path do you stop or go around or over or stop still.

Since addiction spent thirty years hurting harming my body.

Recent just last week health scares. Scary frightening and I eat the healthy diet, do what I can. Waiting for hospital to contact me any thing else they need to do.

Made me realise how vulnerable I am in my middle fifties.

Realise also make every day count, met lots of members, people and others with long term disabilities, illness, conditions.

Understand having maybe problems adjusting to new diagnosis know it can be difficult.

I am always aware of that and do have the knowledge education to heal myself and others.

I do have sometimes call it the GOD complex about life be a good Christian help, support, offer guidance like me.

Wasted so much time and energy, fruitless pointless hurting harming my self drinking drugs as well.

All for what coping with had to abuse physical harm from family members. Do I forgive never we supposed not this.

Use my time here to help those .

I hope you understand, I am sorry I can not help or give you what you need to help yourself.

I want you to know am here if you ever want any advice, some support.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

Bettahm

@thespiceman
Always glad of your help and advice but no I'm not a socialiser after all that's happened in the past. I prefer my own company, its safer and healthier.

OverlyAnxious

Franstrahan said:

@thespiceman
I really dont want voluntary work. I have done it in the past, at a food bank and a local book shop. Neither worked out. More importantly if I'm going to work I want paying for it! Universal credit approx £65 a week, no money, almost certainly part of the cause of my current mh problems.
Dont like going out much at the moment but have to as I live alone.

I don't know much about UC rates (still on old style ESA myself!) but that seems like a very low amount...are you sure that's as much as you should be getting?

With regards to PIP for ASD, I think you'll struggle to prove your difficulties and gain enough points if I'm being totally honest. Don't forget you'll need at least 8 points across daily living to get an award so it may not be worth the hassle if you're only looking at the 'mixing with people' descriptor. I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't try for it though, obviously that's your choice!

As you know, I'm not a socialiser either and even just visiting mental health assessors twice in the last month and having to visit a third next week is already causing me problems....let alone the thought of maybe having to visit one a week for whatever treatment they decide after 3 assessments! I sit at home and really would like to work, even if just volunteering* but then when I try simple tasks with other people very quickly realise it's not going to work!

*I was interested in your food larder thread last week. Partly because I'm also a very fussy eater (combined with many food intolerances as well!) and wouldn't be able to eat half the stuff from a pre-selected food bank lol. But also because I looked into it and found a local FoodShare group who seem similar to a food bank but on a large scale, delivering to schools and hostels etc. They're looking for volunteers currently and it's something I've been thinking about...although thinking about it while sat here is obviously very different to doing it in the real world!

poppy123456

Franstrahan said:

@thespiceman
I really dont want voluntary work. I have done it in the past, at a food bank and a local book shop. Neither worked out. More importantly if I'm going to work I want paying for it! Universal credit approx £65 a week, no money, almost certainly part of the cause of my current mh problems.
Dont like going out much at the moment but have to as I live alone.

HI,

Regarding your UC amount, are you sure that's what you're receiving? That is indeed a very low amount. UC is paid monthly not weekly and as you're over 25 then the standard allowance per month is £317.82 per month. Do you rent or own your home, live with a partner that works or claim any works pensions?

Are you able to work? if not then have you sent in any sick/fits notes to start the work capability assessment process off?

For the PIP claim then before you apply i'd advise you to have a good read of the link that was posted above because there's a lot of information in that link that will give you a better understanding of the PIP descriptors and what they mean.

PIP isn't about not being able to work, people claim it and work. If you do decide to apply then when you fill out the forms you should put as much information as possible about how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. Adding a couple of real life examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you.

I noticed you mentioned the only descriptor that really applies is engaging with others. There's 9 other daily living activities, what about dressing/undressing? do you need prompting to do this? same for washing/bathing, do you need prompting or assistance to be able to do this?

If only the one descriptor applies to you then this is very long shot to score 8 points for this descriptor, i would expect 4 points to be scored here for needing social support, it doesn't matter if you don't receive that support, if it's needed then it's still possible to score those points.

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan I wanted to add your current situation.

Another reason always said yes because many of the links have necessary reviews of benefits. First thing they ever do, actually when you enrol.

Never thought be entitled to what I am now, but speaking to those organisations.

Need I say more.

@thespiceman

Bettahm

@poppy123456
The reason uc is so low is I took the advance in the beginning, also I got overpaid WTC, so they are taking that back too. It should all nearly be paid off I'd have thought. I have a WCA now on January 15.
I looked at PIP before coz my then counsellor said I should apply but then I thought it looked unlikely. But now I've thought try, they can only say no. Did you see my opening post? I've lived alone now for nearly 15 years with very little help or money, and I guess they will say if I've coped that long - fine. I struggle with the world every day. I can mask it, or bluff, but cant keep it up and it either ends up in hitting the bottle or losing my temper when in a long term Social situation, like a job, a friendship, or church. The last 3 jobs I had I got sacked before I was even there very long, all after approx 6 weeks. Still, the only descriptor I could say really applys is the social engagement one.
Theres loads more I could tell you. My aq50 forms just about tell it all, together with all the notes.
Am I right then in thinking theres not a lot of support out there for ASD adults?

poppy123456

Yes i read your post, i don't usually answer anyone's questions without first reading what's written. Living alone will make no difference to a PIP claim because it's not about the help you get it's about the help you need, whether you receive it or not. This is why reading everything that's in the link above will help you understand it more. There's a lot to read through and it will take a while but it's worth it.

A quick glance at the descriptor may make you think that you don't fit the criteria and you won't be able to score those points needed for an award, or some may think they should score x amount of points but it's not always possible to score them. When you do some research, you may think differently.

Very difficult to advise whether you'll successfully be awarded on an internet forum because no one knows exactly how your conditions affect you.

Once you've had the work capability assessment if you're given limited capability for work related activity then you'll receive an extra £336 per month from the 4th month of your claim. If you're give just limited capability for work then your money will remain the same. Information here about the work capability assessment. The link states ESA but the process is exactly the same.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-esa

Receiving support, there is never a lot of that out there but you could start by referring yourself to your local council for a needs assessment. See link. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

Bettahm

@poppy123456
Thank you Poppy, I will really have to sit down this weekend and get in to all this. Main prob is nobody knows my struggles. Live alone, no close friends or family. Plan is this coming year to sell up and move over Preston way to be closer to my second cousins. Ok they dont know me as such, but I'm making them aware of my problems. I'm going to use the WCA to get my grievances across hopefully. When I had close family they kind of protected me from the world. I'm well aware of that now. Of course then we didnt know I was on the autistic spectrum.

poppy123456

You're welcome. I totally understand all about ASD because my daughter was diagnosed with it about 4 months before her 18th birthday. It took me 14 years of fighting to get that diagnosis but i wasn't going to give up without a fight. She also has a learning disability and social anxiety disorder which is from the ASD. She claims Enhanced for both parts of PIP and lives with me.

I totally understand what you mean by no one knows your struggles, this isn't unusual. Most people won't understand how much other people struggle with any disability they have. When you fill out the PIP forms you need to make sure you make it as clear as possible all about the struggles you have. If you don't put the information then they won't know how your conditions affect you, as advised, PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you and everyone is different.

If or when you do apply for PIP, when you receive those forms if you need more advice please just ask, i'm sure someone will advise you further. Or, speak to a local advice agency near you for help and support filling out those forms but do remember that the only person that knows how your conditions affect you is yourself.

Bettahm

@poppy123456
I have social anxiety disorder too. Found out about that before the ASD diagnosis. Yes, I'm def going to apply. Will read all the links over the course of the next couple of days, but feel sure I should be able to get some support, both practical and financial. Thanks for the ongoing help.

Bettahm

@OverlyAnxious
Yes, afraid the UC is correct at the mo coz I took an advance at the beginning, also dwp overpaid my WTC and they have been taking that back out of my UC too. So doesnt leave much, but think both debts should be nearly all paid off.
The PIP thing, I've decided after an online chat with Poppy here to go for it. Social interaction is the main problem but I'm kind of going to have to step outside of myself and observe, and ask why is this person in this absolute mess. If that makes sense. Problem really, as alone now for nearly 15 years and no one I can call on as a witness. But, im struggling and need some support, so going to try PIP. I have a WCA coming up on January 15, so hoping to air my grievances there.
The food larder thread, I thought I got totally misunderstood there. Heard about them somewhere and thought they were a great idea, me being a picky eater. At the moment I collect my parcel, bring it home, and take back quite a lot of the stuff next time I visit. They dont make up parcels to order, you get what you're given. Therefore arent the larders, where you walk round with a volunteer and choose stuff you actually like a much better way to go.
My two voluntary jobs didnt work out, I was not getting on with the supervisor at the food bank one, so just walked out one day and never went back. And too much social interaction at the bookshop one. Quit there about a year ago, the depression was getting worse at that time anyway.

Bettahm

@thespiceman
Well I'm going to claim for PIP and see how it goes. Poppy has sent some links together with info here on this thread, and I'm going to have a study thru this weekend. My attention span isn't as good as it ought to be, so going to have to knuckle down!
Whenever I've done a benefit check thing online it's always come back with just UC. But I feel sure there must be more support - practical and financial - out there somewhere.

Hoping to sell up and move this year to be nearer to my second cousins over Preston way. Distant family, and only found out about them December 2015. Only relatives I have left now, makes sense to be closer. And closer to a city, with all its services etc.