pip for type 2 diabetes

[jay194445]

Hi I am new on here I have claimed for PIP been waiting for 14 weeks now to see what happens. I have read on here that they will not award you Pip for this , It does effect me and its a long term illness. I also have high sugar levels as well and very high blood pressure, On the claim for its gives an example of one of the conditions and the illness it says and there is only one example and its Diabetes type 2. Now if its the case like people are saying on here that you will not get pip then why is the only example on the form type 2 diabetes, surely it would be something like autism or something else not the thing that people say you wouldn't get it for . An example should mean what it says . Sorry don't get it. Please can someone help me

 

[Amigo]

Hi I am new on here I have claimed for PIP been waiting for 14 weeks now to see what happens. I have read on here that they will not award you Pip for this , It does effect me and its a long term illness. I also have high sugar levels as well and very high blood pressure, On the claim for its gives an example of one of the conditions and the illness it says and there is only one example and its Diabetes type 2. Now if its the case like people are saying on here that you will not get pip then why is the only example on the form type 2 diabetes, surely it would be something like autism or something else not the thing that people say you wouldn't get it for . An example should mean what it says . Sorry don't get it. Please can someone help me

PIP eligibility is based on how the condition affects you not simply the name of the condition. Even a named example doesn’t mean everyone with that condition would qualify. Type 2 diabetes in itself rarely is a qualifying condition unless there‘s significant associated and additional disabilities affecting daily living. The incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure is immense in the U.K. but would rarely cause daily living issues that would lead to an award for PIP.
Can I ask why you think you qualify?

 

[jay194445]

Because someone said that they had Pip and they claimed it for there type 2 diabetes,then I did claim and seen on claim that type 2 diabetes was there only example so I thought i would get it. It does effect me, I also get lots of pains in my arms and legs with it. If I don't get it then that's the way it is but I just don't understand why they put it as an example on the claim form that It does not make sense. I do appreciate your help to understand though . Thank you

 

[mikeyB]

PIP is not awarded for specific diseases. It is only awarded for disability. Ive had T1 for years, ulcerative colitis for years, occasional asthma, and chronic pancreatitis. The ulcerative colitis got me early retirement, but no benefits. I was able to lead a perfectly normal life, able to walk and drive.

I’m now on Higher rate PIP mobility, lower rate for daily living. That’s because I have PLS, which is a neurological problem related to MND. It was only three years after I got that condition that I qualified for that award, despite walking with two sticks.

In other words, @jay194445, you haven’t got a hope in hell of getting PIP. You don’t sound wrecked enough, I’m afraid.

Can you imagine the government paying PIP to 4.5 million folk who are well?

 

[Lucyr]

As others say, you can get it if you need support with basic daily tasks because of your condition, eg if complications mean you can’t get dressed by yourself.

I have looked into applying for it for autism as I have to rely on family support for lots of things that felt like basic tasks - phone calls, new places, haircuts, dealing with tradesmen etc. My family live 300+ miles away so a local support worker would have been useful rather than saving these tasks up for when they can come to help. But I didn’t qualify because the basic tasks they assess it on are more like getting dressed, making and eating a meal etc, it’s not just awarded based on your condition.

 

[Becka]

An example should mean what it says . Sorry don't get it. Please can someone help me

What does the example say?

I only have the 2015 version of the guidance for completing the form, but cannot see anything about diabetes in it. And looking online at the P.I.P. handbook which is aimed at those assisting people making a claim there is no mention either.

So without knowing what the example says it is impossible for us to provide any help as to what it means.

But why are you applying? You would have had to decide to apply to be sent a form before you even saw the example, so presumably someone advised you that you should apply. What were their reasons?

As others have said, P.I.P. is paid to cover the additional costs that comes with living with a disability, not simply for having a medical condition. But you also need to need certain thresholds as to qualify for P.I.P., with eight points required within a particular category (daily living or mobility) to be awarded the standard rate for it. It is twelve points for the enhanced rate.

So even if having diabetes was enough to score you one or two points in a particular category — which is very unlikely but, again, we do not know what the example you are referring to says — it would still not be enough on its own to qualify for the benefit. On its own, diabetes, type 2 does not incur significant costs that make the condition difficult to manage. And that, rightly or wrongly, also applies to the cost of glucose testing where it is not available on prescription. If anything, as one of the few conditions which qualifies for an N.H.S. prescription exemption in England, the cost of medically treated diabetes is a lot less that many other long term health conditions.

At a complete guess, it would not surprise me if diabetes, type 2 was cited as an example as a health condition which someone may have difficulty in managing or monitoring. But that would be for where other issues make that difficult to do, not simply by having such a condition.

But, even in non-Covid times a fourteen week is not unusual, it can take several months to receive a decision. And depending on the other issues you detailed on the form, you may then need to attend an assessment before they make a final assessment.

 

[Becka]

But I didn’t qualify because the basic tasks they assess it on are more like getting dressed, making and eating a meal etc, it’s not just awarded based on your condition.

Do you mean you actually applied and were turned down, or that you felt the form categories did not apply? I do not mean to question your autism, but it is an unhelpful form so easy to take it literally and feel they do not. apply when they may do indirectly. It is best to seek help from local support services to help complete the form, because they will know how to put address issues under the way the form is laid out.

For example, if you have need someone else to assist you in getting help from a plumber then that could put you in a situation where you would have problems with your personal hygiene and nutrition. as well as engaging with people, if it leaves you without water. Obviously it would need to be a real problem, such as having actually happened, to qualify rather than just be a theoretical possibility. But that is apparently how the systems works. It is very higher functioning autism unfriendly, as it does seem designed for physical difficulties or severe impairments when it is not assessed solely on those terms.

The other advice is to complete the form on the basis of your worst day, when all your issues are flaring are you are not coping. Which again is not obvious with autism, as it is easy to think of only how you feel at the time you are completing the form, or just underplay how much things do actually affect you.

Which also makes it a psychologically very upsetting thing to have to go through, because it means having to document your worst and most useless self for someone to read. And then, quite possibly, having to face in person for an assessment. It can be a very cruel system when you are autistic.

 

[MarkGeordie]

There is always a huge misunderstanding of PIP on every forum I contribute on.

You do not get PIP for any particular condition or medical issue, PIP does not involve a medical assessment, it is a disability assessment, two completely different things.

You need to ensure that you demonstrate how your day to day activities and mobility are affected in relation to the PIP descriptors.

In relation to that too, you would need to demonstrate how you can’t complete the activities listed in the descriptors in a timely manner, to a reasonable ability and safely.

Evidence is the key, but you need to ensure you don’t provide evidence that does not help, for example below.

Appointment letters - pointless.
GP report - pointless.
Etc.

Why? Because an appointment letter shows you had an appointment but it does not show how your abilities and day to day activities are impacted. Also because a GP can only reiterate what you tell them and anyone can walk into their GP surgery and say anything.

What’s more reliable is stuff like a weeks diary showing where you struggled, statements from people that help you showing how they do this, what they do and when, for example carers, neighbours, family and friends.

Specialist assessments can be good especially from an OT or a sensory team for example.

The best evidence to help though is from you, clearly explaining how when you attempt an activity listed in the PIP descriptors that you can’t do it and why.

I always say 2 real world examples that have happened to you for each descriptor.

It’s not enough to say for example “When I attempt X that I fall.

It’s best to be more comprehensive for example “When I attempted to do X, on the date of X, I had a fall due to X, the consequence of this was X, whilst trying to perform this task X was near by and had to help me up and ensure I was safe and could assist me”.

I successfully claimed for my PIP, first time, was awarded, no MR needed and didn’t have to take them to tribunal.

Less evidence is the best evidence, all I sent was my form with my answers typed and attached as this was easier, with my CVI.

 

[Becka]

I successfully claimed for my PIP, first time, was awarded, no MR needed and didn’t have to take them to tribunal.

I do not know what the basis for your claim was, but a G.P. just confirming you have a particular condition is enough with some to prove the claims of the effects they have on your life. Needing a wheelchair is enough proof that you cannot climb stairs. And they definitely do look at what a G.P. says, although there is no need to send anything from one as they will contact your surgery directly. Which is why you need to give approval for them to do so.

But for other claims and conditions they will want to see you in person to see it for themselves. The range of impairments and causes that P.I.P. covers means you cannot say "this is what to do." The spectrum from being blind to having a learning disability is vast enough that experience from one end says nothing about the other. The same can be said of just being autistic, two people can be the exact opposites of each other in how it impacts on their lives. So just saying "it caused this" on the form is not enough, they will want to see you in person.

Rightly or wrongly, I would describe the system as assuming everyone is cheating scum and you need to justify yourself to it. But as I say, it depends greatly by how obvious a condition will impact on someone's life so other people will have different experiences of it.

 

[MarkGeordie]

I do not know what the basis for your claim was, but a G.P. just confirming you have a particular condition is enough with some to prove the claims of the effects they have on your life. Needing a wheelchair is enough proof that you cannot climb stairs. And they definitely do look at what a G.P. says, although there is no need to send anything from one as they will contact your surgery directly. Which is why you need to give approval for them to do so.

But for other claims and conditions they will want to see you in person to see it for themselves. The range of impairments and causes that P.I.P. covers means you cannot say "this is what to do." The spectrum from being blind to having a learning disability is vast enough that experience from one end says nothing about the other. The same can be said of just being autistic, two people can be the exact opposites of each other in how it impacts on their lives. So just saying "it caused this" on the form is not enough, they will want to see you in person.

Rightly or wrongly, I would describe the system as assuming everyone is cheating scum and you need to justify yourself to it. But as I say, it depends greatly by how obvious a condition will impact on someone's life so other people will have different experiences of it.

At varies from condition and disability, but it’s not true that a GP stating you have a condition is enough, you still have to evidence how you meet the descriptors.

It’s also not true that PIP will automatically write to your GP, they ask for the details but they rarely write to them, the onus is on you to provide the evidence.

Ive helped many people with their PIP claims, and been in a wheelchair does not mean they will not want to assess you in person, I have helped a few wheelchair users and they have been asked in, also the reverse of that, I have helped other individuals with differing conditions and they haven’t been asked in and they did a paper based assessment, however all got awarded with no tribunals.

Yea it’s true that everyone is diffeeent which is why I said you have to go on to describing and evidencing this it affects you on the form, but part of that is explaining what happens when you attempt to carry out the activity and what the consequence was and to also include if you can do this in a timely manner, reliably and safely.

As previously said, not everyone is seen in person, it depends what the health care professional that is allocated your case decides, some will be invited in and some will get a paper based assessment.

I don’t necessarily agree with the system, but if you complete the form properly, describe and evidence exactly how you are impacted and include only relevant documentation, you can claim quite successfully without difficulty.

 

[Becka]

At varies from condition and disability, but it’s not true that a GP stating you have a condition is enough, you still have to evidence how you meet the descriptors.

been in a wheelchair does not mean they will not want to assess you in person

I never said any of those things. I said the condition alone is enough to prove the claimed impairments, such as being in a wheelchair meaning you cannot climb stairs.

It’s also not true that PIP will automatically write to your GP, they ask for the details but they rarely write to them

Not that I mentioned writing, but what do you mean that they will ask for details but not write to them?

As previously said, not everyone is seen in person, it depends what the health care professional that is allocated your case decides, some will be invited in and some will get a paper based assessment.

So essentially what I was saying, then. I am disputing the notion that you just need to fill the form in correctly and you will being given an award without any difficult from that along regardless of condition.

if you complete the form properly, describe and evidence exactly how you are impacted and include only relevant documentation, you can claim quite successfully without difficulty.

If you are defining "successfully without difficulty" as meaning without needing to appeal or a decision, let alone being called in for an in-person assessment, then I can say with certainty that a form "properly" completed, with specialist assistance, does not mean that.

 

[MarkGeordie]

I can’t seem to see your response on here only in my email notification.

It asks on the PIP form for GP details and specialists details but they rarely get in touch with them, the onus is on the claimant to provide the evidence not on the DWP.

My doctor, ophthalmologists and neurologist were not contacted. I know from the 10 people I helped last year, only 1 of them had their GP contacted.

What I mean by successful claim is not having to challenges the award and you got the award you deserve, that does not mean without as assessment, paper based assessments are rare.

Often it goes to tribunal because the decision is wrong and that’s usually because the evidence presented by the claimant wasn’t relevant to start with and did not represent the impact on the activities listed in the descriptors had been described properly.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi jay194445, welcome to the forum.

It can be very confusing and sounds as though they have used an unhelpful example on the form.

As mentioned, PIP is given based on it's impact on your life not the illness itself. So, two people can have the same illness and one be awarded because it has a greater impact on their daily life than the other.

The assessment isn't based on merely being impacted but the type of impact. The criteria's below are from the government website and this is what they typically assess against:

'Daily Living Difficulties:
You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time 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

Mobility Difficulties:
You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.'

As you can see, type two diabetes typically doesn't impact people in the ways listed above but as with any illness, there will be people who do have the listed difficulties which would deem them eligible.

The award is scored based on the amount of difficulties you have i.e making decisions about money and engaging with other people. Some people have other health issues as well as diabetes which may be why some are awarded more points that others.

You're more than welcome to call us to speak with someone about financial concerns. Turn2us also have a wealth of info and a calculator re financial assistance you may be eligible for https://www.turn2us.org.uk/.

 

[mikeyB]

The help you need in daily living doesn’t necessarily have to be provided by a human, for example needing a wheelchair or Walker to get around the house. Or, in getting dressed I have a nifty device to put my socks on. I only get the lower rate daily living rate of PIP. I could probably get the higher rate, but I have no need of the money so I can’t be bothered.

 

[MarkGeordie]

Yes, you can score points for the aids.
It’s actually a good idea to read the 200 page assessment guide on the hoc website for a proper understanding of what gets awarded and why.