Are mental health and Fibromyalgia considered as a disability for PIP?

angeltaylor · April 2020

I'm not sure if I am in the correct place or not, hopefully I am. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 12 years ago and am struggling lately to work full time. I have also been on antidepressants for most of my adult life. I'm now 58 and although I'm an optimistic and proud person I have had to start the process of making a claim for PIP. I've accepted that my mental health and Fibromyalgia are conditions that affect my lifestyle. Would they be considered as a disability though?

Abdi_Scope · April 2020

Hello @angeltaylor - Welcome to the community. It is always great to have new members. If you are looking for support, a place to chat and express yourself then yes you are in the right place.

We are a community of disabled people and ones who have lived experience of disability. It is our aim to continue to change society's view of disability so that everyone can be themselves whether they have a visible or hidden disability. Making sure everyone is equal and respected.

So you are Welcome we are happy to have you and for you to share your own very personal experiences, that will also help other people too.

You may find these chats useful https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/disabled-people others with Fibromyalgia https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/67890/wanting-to-connect-with-others-who-have-fibromyalgia?_ga=2.132081735.97620330.1586805352-1344940458.1584966517 and some positive tips for our wellbeing https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/69759/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing#latest/

Please keep sharing and let us know how you get on with the PIP assessment.

Take care and keep safe

chiarieds · April 2020

Hi @angeltaylor - Welcome to the community; you have indeed landed in the right place! I'm sorry to read you're struggling to work full time. Is part-time work an option? You could also ask your employer to make 'Reasonable Adjustments' if they are aware of your disabilities. There's some info here on Scope.

See: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-careers/reasonable-adjustments/

To answer your query about PIP, this is not about any diagnoses, altho you list them in the form you apply with, rather about how your disability affects activities of daily living, & mobility. An understanding of the 'descriptors' may be useful. If you look at the following link it may help. You need to describe how your disability limits your function, & say how, why & when it affects you for any of the descriptors that might apply. Also whether you are able to perform any activity 'reliably', so please look at that too.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

I hope this is helpful. Please do ask if you have any further queries about this, as there's usually someone here able to help.

Unfortunately due to the current pandemic, it make take months to be potentially awarded PIP.

Ails · April 2020

Hi @angeltaylor and welcome to the Community. It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear of your health struggles. I hope you find the above information/links provided by members to be helpful. We are all here to support you on the forum so please feel free to chat to us anytime as there will always be someone on here to listen/chat to. If we can be of any help/support to you then please just let us know. Please keep in touch also and let us know how you are getting on. All the best.

Are mental health and Fibromyalgia considered as a disability for PIP?

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