Has PIP helped you or a family member with job searching, health, or social care? ❓

[Maurice_Mencap]

The Government is considering cuts to disability benefits, including PIP, though the details are unclear.

Mencap’s policy team is working to protect people with a learning disability from losing out. We’re collecting examples of how PIP supports people in job searching, attending interviews, or accessing work, as well as how it helps cover healthcare or social care costs. Your input will help us make our case to the Government.

If you know someone using PIP for transport to job interviews or work, or for health and social care expenses, please email a brief summary to [e-mail].

Your input will help us make our case to the Government. Thank you!

[Beansprout1]

Hi, my daughter moved to supported living last April. Her PIP is used to pay for the day centre that she enjoys attending x3 per week.

The 1:1 care hours that the council pays for her is so little it would not enable her to access the community without the day centre.

Without her PIP I feel her quality of life would be much worse.

[HolisticMum]

Both my sons disabilities are life limiting. They need 24hr care. People at the offices who deal with PIP & UC don't seem to understand that. For a long time, me, as their mother, have to deal with all the red tape they throw at us. The latest being that UC now want proof of the money one of them is receiving. I detest that the vulnerable and their familieis cannot have privacy over their money.

Since the last Govt got in, things are definitely getting worse.

The elder of my sons get less benefit than the younger and I am loathe to do anything about it as I want to be free of paperwork and answering questions for as long as possible. As long as he can manage with what he gets we will keep going.

[elephant30]

Hi PIP benefit is a life line for my son. IT gives you independent choices to use the money for different services , needs, which are changing time to time .

[Bluey203]

PIP is essential to our sons quality of life. I've always felt the powers that be feel that a physical disability requires more financial support than a learning disability, this comes across in much of the paper work I have to fill in for benefits and social services financial assessment. Many like my son, who has autism and severe learning disability non verbal, need daily routine rituals (some may seem unusual or excessive to an outsider) to keep their state of mind happy and calm.

My sons benefits pay towards fuel costs to PA'S that take him out and about to various places for walking, and towards pool memberships, also a fast food obsession he always has when out for a walk (luckily burns it off), buying outdoor clothing and many shoes, fuel cost for regular daily drives in motability car with us that helps calm him if agitated and before bed.

Also monthly payment to a tracker he keeps in his pocket incase the PA loses him, (he's a fast walker with no sense of danger).

The list of expenses is endless, my son cannot sit and watch tv for hours, or read a book, he cannot read or write, without the finances in place his world would fall apart, it's crucial, without his routines and pastimes anxiety escalates causing extreme distress to himself and those around him.