PIP benefit

[Lavender456]

Hello everyone

Just wanted to ask everyone if they are entitled to PIP what amount do they get? I think I was awarded the wrong amount and I'd be interested to see what others get.

My diagnosis was PP and then post manic depression for a long while after my discharge from psychiatric ward last June.

I'm only just feeling slightly normal but also worried about the possibility I could be going a little manic too.

I spent 3 months sectioned and had a terrible time and still have to live with my traumatic experiences of being restrained and intramuscularly injected over 10 times during my stay.

Thanks in advance

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator]

hi Lavendar456,

Thank you for your post.

I’m sorry you had such a hard time. I was injected once during my stay in hospital and found the one experience very traumatic, so having experienced that 10 times must have been very difficult for you.

I haven’t had PIP so can’t help you but hopefully someone on here can.

Here is a link to a benefit calculator which might help you see if you are getting the right amount

entitledto.co.uk/organisati...

Have you spoke to anyone about the manic feelings you are having?

Take care

Rachel

[Lavender456 in reply to RachelK_at_APP]

Thank you for your reply Rachel

I've informed my family how I'm feeling and they have the duty workers number at the team in under in case they're concerned but they do just think maybe it's because it's Christmas and there's a lot going on

Thanks for the link xx

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Lavender456,

Thank you for sharing this part of your story here. Pp is a traumatic experience in and on itself and then the treatment in hospital (which can vary very much) is another trauma on top. I am so sorry you endured that during your time as an inpatient.

This time of the year is not a particularly easy time. The excitement of Christmas can sometimes become too stressful and there is a lot of pressure to do ever so much. Try to set boundaries for you when you feel it is all getting too much, it is sensible to let go of the responsibility, to ask for time to yourself and to say no to others.

Bipolar UK has some good tips about coping during the holidays, you may find some of them useful:

bipolaruk.org/blog/10-tips-...

Do write here for whatever you want to share, we are here to listen and share some of our own experience if that helps

Take good care,

Maria

[Lavender456]

thank you so much Maria, yeah it was a horrible experience that will live with me forever the treatment I received was traumatising and I believe I only needed restraining like that due to the conditions of the ward I was in, those places make your delusions and psychosis so much worse. They're not calming or reassuring in the slightest.

I'll give the link a read thank you xx

[Maria_at_APP Moderator in reply to Lavender456]

Hi Lavender456, I am so sorry for what you have been through. You are such a strong soul for having overcome it and doing so well now even though it is still fresh in a way. Take very good care and we are all here for whatever you need.

Maria

[Dolly292]

Hi, Yes you are entitled to PIP. I had PP in 2021 and still take medication and still get a very small amount of PIP money.

I can't remember how much I got initially, but it was a bit more than I currently get.

I'm currently looking for work & really wanting to get back to work. But my mental health is a bit of a hurdle & it holds me back. However, I'm told even if you work you are entitled to pip.

It's not enough money to make any meaningful difference. But I use the money to pay for a cleaner which helps me.

Like you, I think I should have been awarded more after my episode and I wasn't aware I was entitled to it straight away. If I had I think I would have been awarded more due to my mental state.

I was also in not fit state (& nobody told me) that you had to fill out the paperwork asap. It can't be backdated.

The advice I was given by the psychiatric nurse was that you should "go off your worst day". Don't sugar coat, nor answer the questions based on your better days. The answers should be based on your worst days.

This may or may not be helpful, but I was told that once a decision had been made about your pip money it was quite a battle to challenge. A battle I decided not to fight. I was told you could challenge the decision, but would likely have to attend a face to face meeting/ assessment to demonstrate the difficulties.

Good luck, I hope you are getting something & hope this helps a little.