Claiming PIP... Yes or No?

Have you claimed for PIP as an Insulin Dependant Diabetic?

  • Yes, Successfullyclaimed

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • Yes but rejected by DWP

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • No

    Votes: 14 87.5%
  • Total voters
    16
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SarahWilliams82

SarahWilliams82

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
I am really struggling financially despite working full time, as I am on the sick again for the third time since my diagnosis of T1 IDD in 2014.

A friend has suggested that I apply for PIP as I would qualify, but feel that if I pulled my finger out, looked after myself better, took all the advice I'm given, sorted my depression and anxiety, then I would be able to work the hours I need to.

But I feel that I would be cheating as I don't want to be seen to need it, and that I can live without it, and that I would be taking it from someone who really needs it.

What have you all done?
 
Welcome to the forum, Sarah. PIP isn't an income replacement benefit, so from what you've said ESA or tax credit might more appropriate to your situation, especially as you mention depression, anxiety and type 1 diabetes. What hours / times are you working and what are you doing? Do you have any complications from T1D? Unlikely, I guess, if diagnosed 2014. It's virtually unheard of for someone with T1D alone to get PIP, but possible on basis of depression and / or anxiety and / or complications.
 
I am a staff nurse working 30 hours a week currently... I am not entitled to esa or tax credits as I earn too much money and/or work too many hours... the financial stress is adding to my depression and ability to cope with my diabetes due to depression and anxiety...

My complication's include intermittent numbness in hands and feet... no warning hypos or inability to stay awake and focus on anything when really high... my remaining beta cells dramatically fallen with great speed in two years and have next to no pancreatic function now.
 
Hi Sarah I've had Type 1 diabetes for 45 years, my pancreatic function stopped when I was two years old and have complications along with other disabilities. However I do not meet the criteria for PIP despite having to take ill-health retirement when I was 43. It is difficult (impossible?) to claim PIP for "just" diabetes. Although, as Copepod said, it may, but only possibly, be possible for complications, anxiety and depression I hope you don't mind me asking but what are you and your diabetes team doing to help you get a better balance with your diabetes which should, in turn, help with the problems associated with your hypos and high levels. Have you been taught carbohydrate testing?
 
SarahWilliams82 said:
I am a staff nurse working 30 hours a week currently... I am not entitled to esa or tax credits as I earn too much money and/or work too many hours... the financial stress is adding to my depression and ability to cope with my diabetes due to depression and anxiety...

My complication's include intermittent numbness in hands and feet... no warning hypos or inability to stay awake and focus on anything when really high... my remaining beta cells dramatically fallen with great speed in two years and have next to no pancreatic function now.
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Hi Sarah, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems :( I agree with AJ Lang - tackling the problems you are experiencing with your diabetes control will probably be a big help. Fluctuating blood sugar levels can have quite a significant effect on mood, and the numbness you report is most likely a transient form of neuropathy, which can also be much improved with improved blood sugar control.

What insulin regime are you on? Have you attended a diabetes education course, such as DAFNE? There are lots of very knowledgeable and experienced people here who may be able to help you get better control so at least that is one less thing to be concerned about 🙂 Please ask any questions you may have and we will do our best to help! 🙂
 
Thanks for explaining. I agree with AJLang and Northerner that getting better support and education to treat your diabetes AND depression / anxiety is vital. Ask your diabetes team (if you have one) and your GP about local courses etc.
There's no harm in making an application for PIP. but if your problems are only when your blood glucose levels are high, that won't qualify as it's not more than 50% of days - and if it is, you really need to sort that problem as high levels most of the time WILL cause complications. It's always best to get help when filling in an application form for any benefit, and many agencies eg CAB, council welfare rights units etc can also help with advice about managing debts etc. You mention financial stress, but perhaps not debt related? Anyway, hope you can use some of the hours you are not working to get support - there's lots available. I've heard good things about Christians Against Poverty https://capuk.org/ for helping people to escape from debt and deal with poverty, so would be worth exploring options in your area.
 
I am on PIP, but only the lower rate mobility award, because of motor neuropathy that the neurologists have said is probably diabetic. It is not a life changing amount of money. Even though I can only get around the house with a stick for support, have a chairlift and adapted bathroom, I do not remotely score enough for the full PIP award.

You will not be able to get PIP for diabetes for the reasons you gave in your first post. It is a variable controllable condition, so having diabetes doesn't score any points in the PIP assessment unless you need assistance in taking your medication. In truth, it isn't worth making the application, but following the advice given by Copepod and Northerner could certainly improve your condition.

Best of luck, and keep in touch.
 
If you don't ask you don't get. I don't know of many type 2s who have claimed and got a PIP unless there has been another reason that makes the eligible for it.
 
Exactly, Caroline. In fact, type 2s are more likely to get PIP because somtimes the diagnosis is made late, by which time the consequences of untamed diabetes are evident. But surely in both types the object of treatment is to prevent the complications that might qualify for PIP.
 
I looked through the pips help with their questions web site (wish I kept the link), for other problems not associated with diabetes and some that can be linked with diabetes, as it was suggested that by some I should look into it. I found it was impossible to answer the questions in a way to say I might be entitled to PIPs, yet others who appear from the outside to be a lot better than myself get it.

If you have any queries the CAB maybe of some help to you in going through / filling in the forms.
 
I think knowing what answers they are looking for (to grant it) seems to be 99.99% of the battle with these things. Not what you say - but how you say it.
 
This is a recurrent discussion on the pancreatitis forum. I don't doubt it is a discussion on the Crohn's disease forum, or indeed any chronic debilitating disease forum. The reason is that all these groups find the same problem- the questions on the application form do not appear to be relevant to their condition, so their answers don't allow "points" to be scored to get the allowance. It is a masterpiece of design - at first glance, it appears comprehensive, but it isn't. It is designed to limit the awards made, though the DWP would deny this. This is why you can never answer the questions the way you want to. The questions just aren't there.

This becomes evident in the high success rate of appeals. This is a sure sign that the primary assessment is intrinsically inaccurate, and the government recognise this. They blame the assessing doctors, but the primary problem is that damned form.
 
There are some charities that can sort out the whole application for you. Usually you have to pay about £18 to cover their expenses but if you have a decent case, they have a very high success rate. My wife will ne applying for PIP for her Fibro & PSA & will be using one of these charities to do it.
 
Mark Parrott said:
There are some charities that can sort out the whole application for you. Usually you have to pay about £18 to cover their expenses but if you have a decent case, they have a very high success rate. My wife will ne applying for PIP for her Fibro & PSA & will be using one of these charities to do it.
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No need to pay anyone to help with application. Many people can do their own application, with help such as Citizens Advice online guide to filling in PIP form: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/b...rs/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/fill-in-form/ I haven't heard of any registered charity which charges for help, although of course, most would welcome a donation for expenses. Are you sure you are using a charity, not a commercial company?
 
You just beat me to it with that post, Copepod. After the application comes the medical assessment (if they haven't dismissed your claim out of hand) which brings all sorts of other problems....
 
Qualification to meet the PIP criteria is really quite brutal now and fuelled by the need to bring down the disability budget. Unfortunately too many genuinely deserving people slip through the net. I have immense sympathy and understanding for your situation Sarah and hope you can get your levels under control and improve your health very soon. Whilst people who are still working can qualify for the care component of PIP, I have to confess to wondering how people who provide these services and help to others in the course of their work could qualify by contending that they struggle to do them for themselves.


'You may get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with things like:'

  • preparing or eating food

  • washing, bathing and using the toilet

  • dressing and undressing

  • reading and communicating

  • managing your medicines or treatments

  • making decisions about money

  • engaging with other people


    I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but I can't help but think that's how the DWP might view this.
 
Mark Parrott said:
There are some charities that can sort out the whole application for you. Usually you have to pay about £18 to cover their expenses but if you have a decent case, they have a very high success rate. My wife will ne applying for PIP for her Fibro & PSA & will be using one of these charities to do it.
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I forget what the
Copepod said:
No need to pay anyone to help with application. Many people can do their own application, with help such as Citizens Advice online guide to filling in PIP form: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/b...rs/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/fill-in-form/ I haven't heard of any registered charity which charges for help, although of course, most would welcome a donation for expenses. Are you sure you are using a charity, not a commercial company?
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They are called fightback4justice. You can find them on Facebook.
 
Mark Parrott said:
I forget what the

They are called fightback4justice. You can find them on Facebook.
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http://www.fightback4justice.co.uk/ A URL that ends .co.uk is usually a company, rarely a charity. They describe themselves as "Non Profit Community Interest Group". Nowhere can I find a Registered Charity number on their website. I'm not disputing that they offer valuble support to people claiming benefits, but I am challenging the statement that they are a charity. Many local councils have welfare rights units which can help any residents. Housing associations usually have welfare rights specialists who can help tenants. Charities such as Citizens Advice also offer advice. None of these agencies charge for their advice.
 
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