PIP without the points ?

telemusik

Hello everyone,

I currently have 2 long-term conditions along with a ton of symptoms caused by both conditions.

I have a Prolactinoma which is a benign brain tumour and need to take meds weekly to stop it growing, the meds themselves cause all sorts of crazy symptoms and the tumour also reeks Havok with my hormonal system.

I also have Type 2 diabetes and this again has led to a ton of other symptoms.

Because of all these accumulating issues, I've overtime became withdrawn from the world it's affected me mentally more so than physically.. or I should say the physically manifestations are more cosmetic which has further messed with my mental state.

On top of this I can't hold down a job because my hormones/emotions are uncontrolled I am extremely over sensitive and find myself either quitting jobs within a month or in worst cases have reacted physically when at my worst.

Because of all that is going on I am only happy when I'm on my own at home, even going outside makes me very anxious and I have definitely developed avoidant personality and body dysmorphia although I haven't been to my Docs about these things, I stopped going to GP's a long time ago through a mix of feeling like I was annoying them/feeling ashamed.

It has gotten so bad that i've ended up moving home and need to contribute and the thought of taking another job is making me even more Ill.

I have seen the points system and because i'm able to physically get around and don't have problems doing daily tasks will this then rule me out?.

Thanks.

poppy123456

There's lot of people that claim PIP for the way their mental health affects them. The PIP descriptors aren't just aimed at those with physical health conditions. My daughter claims Enhanced for both parts and she doesn't have any physical health conditions.

For example. You say you don't have problems doing daily tasks but what about getting dressed, do you feel you just can't be bothered to do this so you stay in your PJ's all day? Or you just don't change your clothes and keep the same ones on all the time? Maybe you need prompting to change your clothers, or prompting to get dressed?

Washing/bathing, do you need prompting to do this, otherwise you may not wash for quite a few days at a time because you feel you just don't want to do anything at all?

There are other descriptors that come to mind that you may score points for, like communicating verbally, engaging with other people, making budgeting decisions.

The mobility part and following and planning a journey, are you able to go out alone and plan a journey?

You need to fully explain why you can't complete any of those acitivities and why. What exactly happened the last time you attempted to do them? Did anyone see it, where were you and what the consequences were.

You mention working, PIP isn't about your ability to work, people work and claim PIP.

See link for more information on the PIP descriptors and what they mean. https://pipinfo.net/#activities

Regarding working, are you currently claiming any benefits at all? Do you live with a partner? Have you worked at all in the previous 2 tax years? There maybe some other benefits you're entitled to but it will depend on your circumstances.

Universal Credit is a means tested benefit and people that work on low income claim it and those who are unable to work because of a health condition. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=705ad206-0d58-42ad-9ea4-ed67ed2773aa

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @telemusik Thanks for joining, and for being so open and honest in your first post here. 

I hope that poppy123456's reply above has helped to clear that up for you a little. If you have any further questions about PIP, or about what other benefits you may be able to claim, please just let us know.

It seems as though things are quite tough for you at the moment, and that this has affected a few different areas of your life. 

I stopped going to GP's a long time ago through a mix of feeling like I was annoying them/feeling ashamed.

I know it can be easy to feel this way, but your GP is there to support you. Would you feel comfortable telling them about how you've been feeling, and how it's been affecting you? 

Some people find it easier to write down how they've been feeling, and either read that out or give it to their GP. Would that be a possibility? 

You could also try looking on a site like Hub of Hope to see whether there any other services you could access.