PIP and Mental Health

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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 584 Listener
    Thank you very much and thanks for understanding.

  • pkeith95
    pkeith95 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Contributor
    Quick Update:

    2 weeks ago today I had my PIP assessment and today I received my first payment.

    I’m very pleased with the process, I’m happy with the level they assessed me at and the speed with which I was given my decision.  Hopefully the letter arrives today too.

    I really wanted to show some positive experiences with PIP because when I was going through the process I was terrified due to all the negative experience that people have had.  It made me feel better when I saw that someone, anyone, had had a positive experience, especially with Mental Health.

    Keep fighting on everyone :) 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Brilliant news! I love seeing positive posts because exactly like i always tell others, we mostly only hear the bad stories.

    Also, if you claim any other benefits, depending on your PIP award and other circumstances you maybe entitled to other benefits.
  • pkeith95
    pkeith95 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Contributor
    Thanks @poppy123456

    I’ve been advised the ESA is something I should be looking at but I am not sure that PIP will make a difference to the New Style ESA as it’d probably be contributory.

    I’m glad to have been able to show a positive experience.  Hopefully it’ll make a difference to someone :) 

    Oh and of course, a HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me in this thread @poppy123456 @Chloe_Scope @Adrian_Scope

    Wonderful people x
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    That's amazing news @pkeith95!! Thank you for sharing this with us! You are most welcome. If you need any support with ESA (or anything else) then please do let us know. :)
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,750 Online Community Programme Lead
    I'm really happy for you @pkeith95 and I'm glad the process has been relatively smooth for you. Thank you for sharing. To echo Poppy  it's really important people share their positive stories too.

    New Style ESA is contribution-based, so you'd probably be looking at applying for Universal Credit and LCW/LCWRA, but it of course depends on what else you're claiming and your personal situation as to whether you'd be eligible.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    New style ESA is based on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years from working and you're right, a PIP claim won't make any difference to this. You also need a fit note to be able to claim this.

    Universal Credit is a means tested benefit and claiming that will depend on your circumstances, household income and savings. A fit note will also be needed to claim limited capability for work but a PIP award won't affect this, sadly.

    If you're claiming housing benefit then you should let your local council know when you receive your award letter as it may affect it in a good way.

    Anything else will be things like road tax but it will depend whether you receive the mobility part and what level. Blue badge if you receive mobility but again, what level.
  • pkeith95
    pkeith95 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Contributor
    You guys are awesome, thank you so much for the advise.  I’ll see how I get on :) 
  • pkeith95
    pkeith95 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Contributor
    Wow, got my decision letter through today, they’ve awarded me
    PIP til 2022! I’m flabbergasted as I thought it would only be a year and a half at most. 

    This is a huge weight off my shoulders and mind.  Brilliant news
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,750 Online Community Programme Lead
    That's brilliant news @pkeith95, I'm really pleased for you!
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    That's great news @pkeith95!! :)
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Online Community Member Posts: 6,283 Championing
    Hello @pkeith95   Congratulations wish you well.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman