Pip whilst working fulltime: Hello everyone can anyone... - NRAS

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Pip whilst working fulltime

Clare4447 profile image
58 Replies

Hello everyone can anyone help me please? My daughter has asd aspergers and ocd traits and had recieved dla until she was 16 we then applied for pip which she was awarded She recently had her next interview and failed her assesment and her pip was stopped I appealed fir mandatory reconsideration and she failed that also Her assesment states that as she manages to work fulltime she is not entitled anymore??

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Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447
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58 Replies
beeckey profile image
beeckey

Hi Clare there are quite a few people on here who work full time and receive PIP so hopefully they will give you more information than i can good luck.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to beeckey

Thanks x im now applying for tribunal but im scared it will be a waste of time 😗

beeckey profile image
beeckey in reply to Clare4447

You have got nothing to lose and a lot to gain by going to a tribunal.Has your daughters condition changed much since she was on DLA because it is not the condition that gets you pip but how it affects you day to day best of luck.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to beeckey

Hi her condition has nit changed at all accept her anxieties ans stress levels are higher now shes older?? She can struggle to even go to work at times as ut causes her too much distress her manager even suggested she leaves if its too much for her to cope with??

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447

Hi as her condition is a mental disability not a physical one they see her fit to work but she comes home many times having meltdowns due to work stress and anxiety They are insisting as she works fulltime she is capable to live normaly she cannot cook for herself or take a planned journey alone but they insist she can because she works???

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447

Her last award she scored 13 points and her revent award she scored 0 points!!!! Like now shed 18 shes cured from autism!!!

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447

Hello ive just done the online assesment to the best of my knowledge and she scored 16 for the living component and 8-10 for mobility so i cannot get where they scored her 0 for everything???

beeckey profile image
beeckey

It is a horrible system gather as much evidence as you can and get CAB or one of the other agencies on board it will be stressful but the system is awful and they seem to hope people will just give up and not appeal and some do.I wish you the best of luck

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to beeckey

Thanks ive now got an organisation called fight4justice fighting for me xxx i just hope it goes my way x

beeckey profile image
beeckey

I hope it does.You can phone them up and get a copy of the face to face the you can see for yourself what was written

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels

Hiya Clare. I'm sorry you're needing help re PIP, it must seem very unfair at the mo. Whilst PIP is very different to DLA the fact remains it's not means tested, implying that it's of no consequence if you work or not or what condition(s) you have rather it's how your disability or condition affects you.

I take it you gathered as much medical information as you could from whoever your daughter sees for her ASD Aspergers & OCD, Specialists etc to support her renewal? This can help quite a lot, particularly if it affects mental health as it can be quite difficult to prove such issues, which is ridiculous in itself as she's been awarded it before, unless previously she wasn't working & this alone was the reason given why she wasn't awarded it.

Now you'll have to forgive me because I know little about her conditions (this is the NRAS, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society's Healthunlocked forum), it may not even affect her mental health, I apologise if it does (though her OCD should), but one reason I mention this is recently there's been a High Court ruling that PIP was unfair for those with mental health conditions, you may have seen it in the news recently, bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42862904. This has meant that the DWP are having to review 1.6 million PIP claims & around 220,000 are expected to have their awards increased. This of course only applies to those in receipt of PIP & I appreciate whilst your daughter had been previously awarded it it's following her renewal assessment it was stopped, the Mandatory Reconsideration upheld the decision. So, your options are going to Tribunal, or, if she received no points at all I'm pretty sure she can reapply for PIP as soon as she wishes. In either instance I'd recommend you get your local Benefits Advisor to help, your local Town Hall should be able to give you contact details.

There is a Healthunlocked Aspergers Syndrome forum although I don't think it's a very active site so it might be helpful joining the online community at The National Autistic Society, community.autism.org.uk/ may be of more help. I had a cursory look & there have been discussions about Aspergers & PIP.

I wish you luck whichever route you choose.

sylvi profile image
sylvi

I might be wrong so please don't get upset with me re; pip. Is dla still going because if it is i think that is the one you want, that is not dependent on whether you work or not. Pip has replaced the unemployment payment and that could be why she has been refused. I don't know,but what ever you need someone who is an expert in appeals,cab is a good place to start.xxxxx

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to sylvi

Hello yes her interview report keeps repeating that she is able to work so her conditions dont count!!!

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to Clare4447

DLA is the benefit she should be on i think,so you need to speak to someone who really knows what they are talking about. DLA is disability living allowance which is the benefit she can claim while working. AS i say get some expert advice before you do anything and find someone who is the expert in those areas your needing.xxx

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to sylvi

Hi she was on dla from age 5 to 16 then it changed to pip so ive been told dla is for people under age 16 now?? So as she had one award for pip its now stopped completly because shes working?

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to Clare4447

I'm still getting DLA at 62yrs so that is not right darling. I don't know how the dwp works these days so it would be a good idea to ask them.xx

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to sylvi

Hmm thats very interesting?? They told me pip was what she needed? How odd? I will mention this to fight4justice who are gonna fight my case xx

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to sylvi

I think its pip because of ber age? Shes 18 x

Jewels94 profile image
Jewels94 in reply to Clare4447

Yes DLA can no longer be applied for if over 16. For those people already on it, it is being phased out and replaced by PIP. However it is possible to work full time and claim PIP. PIP descriptors include help with dressing, bathing and cooking. These things are not relavent to working, so being able to work should no affect a PIP claim. It is ESA which is replacing the unemployment benefit.

gov.uk/dla-disability-livin...

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Jewels94

Well my daughter cannot cook for herself or take a planned journey alone and needs help to dress appropriatly depending on weather yet shr scored 0 points for everything x

Jewels94 profile image
Jewels94 in reply to Clare4447

Definitely worth taking it to tribunal. The assessor had no right saying she wasn’t entitled to PIP because she works. That is not relevant.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Jewels94

They ket saying they believe she can do everything for herself wen i know she cant and as she works too thst was their final decision!!!

Jewels94 profile image
Jewels94 in reply to sylvi

Sorry Sylvi, but I think you will be invited to apply for PIP as DLA is being phased out for people between 16 and 64.

gov.uk/dla-disability-livin...

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to sylvi

I think you'll be asked to apply for PIP at some time Sylvi, that is unless you were above 65 or above on 8 April 2013 then you will remain on DLA. If you were under 65 then your DLA will come to an end & you will be asked to make a claim for PIP. I know those in the Nottingham area are still waiting, maybe your area is one of the last to be rolled out, this explains turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guid...

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to nomoreheels

I still get dla as well as pip nomoreheels.xxx

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to sylvi

How did you manage that Sylvi? It should be one or the other not both. x

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

Hi

My understanding is that PIP replaced DLA and although slightly different criteria, it is essentially the same benefit/ award.

It is absolute nonsense for anyone to state that becUse you work, you therefore are unable to claim it.

I am employed as a full time social worker and receive the higher rate of both care and mobility, set initially fir 3 yrs and recently renewed fir another 6.

I wish you the very best of luck going forward.

Marie

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

Hi marie would it be ok to ask you whats your disability? As my daughter has ASD Aspergers and is physically able to walk and move around Hers is a mental dusabikity and as PIP mentioned she is physically able bodied to work in a pre school so therefore needs no help? Her manager makes adjustments for her to support her as best she can but some days i cant even get her to go in if her anxiety and stress levels are at their worst!! She often has meltdowns at home after work too x

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

Hi Claire

I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Unfortunately , it is quit aggressive, resulting in having both hips and both knees replaced, within a short space of time.

I work full time but I have had multiple periods of being off sick, when flaring.

However, whether your disability Is physical or mental health, this should have no bearing as, as it’s been pointed out, pip is less about a condition and more about the ‘impact’ of the condition.

I have supported people in applying for pip due to mental health issues who are in employment and they have been successful in their application - for the care element only, I have to say.

I agree with everyone here who has said that you need to fight this decision- it is wrong !

Best of luck

Marie

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

Ok thanks marie i will fight this all the way as she needs more care and support than an average 18 year old!! For starters she cannot cook for herself and cannot plan a journey by herself!!! Im so angry she didnt score one single point!!! Just cos she works shes not cured!! Aghhhhh x

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

Clare, I recently supported a 17 year old girl, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and anxiety disorder who was granted care element for 3 years. This young person attends college full time and suffers , what sounds like similar difficulties / needs, as your daughter

Some things seemed key- that she had professional involvement/ support in place, that everything was written as in her ‘worst’ day and that the impact was very detailed in each section.

I mention it as it has been my experience that people play things down when filling in these applications and actually, you need to be very explicit

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

I didnt really get the chance to go into great detail at the interview?? It was very straight question answer and we was only in there for about 30 mins At her first pip interview the lady went into great detail about every aspect of her care and needs I feel this most recent interview was terrible compared to the orevioys one x

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

It doesn’t sound as if the assessor was helpful at all! However, it is in the actual application that you must be detailed and explicit about the impact and level of need / support she requires to eat, wash, dress, manage travel, plan journeys etc?

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

Yes i was very detailed in that but they said the interview showed no evidence of the issues she has

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

I wonder why they expected that an interview would?! Bloody ridiculous!

It’s a horrible situation to have to fight but with support, hopefully the right outcome will be achieved x

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

I was also steessing she suffers with high levels of anxiety and stress but the assesor said she showed no sign of this at her interview!! My daughter had gone into herself at that point so i did most of the talking

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

This sounds absolutely incredible? Anyone with any knowledge and understanding of mental health issues should have demonstrated so much more awareness- bloody beggars belief! It is such a ridiculous and unjust system- back to the deserving and undeserving?? Have you taken this case to your MP also?

I really feel for you and your daughter - just not right at all

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

Well she wrote a long list of her body language sayin she wasnt anxious shaking of sweating wanst distressed etc etccc and said she coped well wen asked questions!! My dayghter was so drained by the time we git there as two weeks prior to going she was so anxious and dustressedand loosing sleep and nit eating well that by the time we got there and she felt more comfortable as i did most of the speaking she had settled and just went into herself as ASD girls are known for doing in these situations???

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Clare4447

Exactly and the assessor should have had an understanding that this may happen fir your daughter . I think your daughter has been treated appallingly and really let down by a terrible system and an even worse assessor.

Please let us know how you get on and I genuinely wish you both, the best of luck with it all

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to Eiram50

You should also stress the significant impact re her mood, lack of confidence and ability to access social situations etc. Level of fatigue, how this impacts- every area, give as much detail and be as explicit as you can.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Eiram50

Yes i gave much more detail in her mandatory reconsideration also a gp letter supporting her needs but it was all rejected!

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to Eiram50

The pip i am on replaced esa as i have been unable to work since 2009 darling.xxxx

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to sylvi

Hi Sylvi

I know thAt in Scotland ESA is still around and is altogether, a different thing. PIP replaces only DLA here, with DLA being phased out. My understanding is that this is not Scottish legislation / policy but is set by Westminster so should be UK wide?

I hate the process regarding all of these benefits/ supports , they’re so demeaning and border on inhuman, at times. I particularly hate the judgements that lead to people, usually without medical knowledge and understanding making unsound decisions around PIP and those the see as deserving and undeserving.

It’s an unjust system.

Anyway, I hope you’re feeling a little better and that this year is so much better for you, than last year.

Marie

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to Eiram50

Darling pip replaced my esa and i still get dla for some reason,maybe have something to do with the fact i was on dla for a long time before i got made redundant. I was refused esa at the start and i had to appeal and i got D.I.A.L to help me. Happily it never got to court before i was awarded it.

I have had a terrible day yesterday with pain and was in bed by 3.30pm.xxxxx

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to sylvi

It’s all a bit confusing to me, I must admit. The only thing I remain sure of is it feels a demeaning, unjust and wholly inconsistent process!

I’m sorry to hear you’re still suffering Sylvi, you really just don’t seem to get a break .

I pray for better weather wherein at least you may be able to sit ( not work!) our in the garden and enjoy the sun . X

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply to Eiram50

I love being out in the sun as i always feel brighter when it is sunny,even if my body is sore.xxx

Eiram50 profile image
Eiram50 in reply to sylvi

I know and I hope we get some good weather for you soon

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to Clare4447

It's correct your daughter needed to change from DLA to PIP once she turned 16, DLA is now only for children under 16 & those who were born before 8th April 1948. Sylvi is still in receipt of DLA because she hasn't yet been asked to claim PIP.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447

Yes i hope they are but it seems pip was stopped because shes working so i xunno how ill win this!!!

opalfree profile image
opalfree

Hi Clare4447,

This is a disgrace & as others have mentioned, you can claim PIP and work, it’s not means tested.

I see you have got the assistance from Fight4Justice to appeal this decision. Hopefully, they will assist to get the decision reversed.

I would also send an email to your local MP, highlighting your daughter’s case.

That’s correct PIP is from age 18 onwards. My sister also had to claim PIP at 18 ( she has both mental & learning disabilities).

You can challenge their decision, right up to date of appeal, so if you have compelling evidence that refutes DWP arguments of her abilities, then start challenging them, to get her rightful entitlement!

Please let us know how you get on. Steph x

Alexann profile image
Alexann

Hi

I think everyone is having to change from DLA to pip unless under sixteen or you were born in the thirties it's just taking a long time to get everyone changed over sixty fives have to apply for AA, it's all on gov website about changes. No one can now apply for DLA. Hope you are successful in your appeal.

Kezcola profile image
Kezcola

My argument would be that DLA/ PIP have enabled your daughter to work- if she is needing transport to and from work and cannot use public transport due to her disability- there's an argument for the mobility component. If she needs support to maintain her role, whether that be personal care / assistance/ prompting to sequence, physically manage etc then there's an argument for the care component. They'e just examples - you'll have to be specific to your circumstance. Without it, I couldnt maintain my employment. Hope al goes well.

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Kezcola

Yes she cant use public teanspirt so her dad drives her to and from work if not then a taxi which im with her also

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447 in reply to Clare4447

Transport i meant lol x

beeckey profile image
beeckey

Well she needs help to get to work so how could they award her no points unbelievable and she has a lot of other problems which she should have been awarded points for best of luck to you and your daughter

Robertgo profile image
Robertgo

PIP is supposed to help you with your needs. It is not really relevant if a person is at work or not. It is no secret that the "redesigned" welfare system is intended to stop payments. Do get one of the agencies involved - even if you have to cancel the hearing until a later date. the fact that she works is no grounds to stop PIP.

Magymay profile image
Magymay

Hi Clare it's just awful.It's like they just pull the rug from underneath you.Get a welfare rights officer to appeal for you if you've not done so.The stress is awful with it but you need to fight it .They're hoping you'll just give in and make their job easier .Don't give in Clare !

Clare4447 profile image
Clare4447

Hello thanks yes im gonna fight this for the support my daughter needs xx

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