Sharing My Anxiety & IBD Experiences
I have been receiving PIP for a few years and was asked in the Summer to confirm my current health situation by submitting a medical questionnaire form back to DWP. I think I may have blogged about my quandary and in the end I confirmed that my ability to dress and bathe had improved. I then had an anxious couple of months waiting to hear further from the DWP. Then I was asked to attend a medical assessment with Capita on the 10th of November.
I thought I would share with you what I have learnt about the financial help that is available to those with a disability. This blog is based on my experience of claiming benefits and getting financial help as I have a long term ill health in the form of a mental illness and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I have linked the benefit types to relevant part of disability benefits on GOV.UK website
Early in August I received a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Review form dated the 6th August 2017, which is called a ‘PIP Award Review – How your disability affects you’. This came as a surprise (shock) because my PIP award is to August 2018. I have felt anxious and overwhelmed by the prospect of completing the form and the implications of the review: will it change my PIP Award, which could then effect my Tax Credits award (which I now claim as I work part time at home on a self-employed basis).
I last posted in June 2014 about my experience of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the replacement for DLA , so I am well overdue to update you on my experience. My last post got me to the stage of the process of having completed the anxiety inducing medical assessment on the 22nd May 2014
So I received a letter from the DWP dated the 10th June, which helpfully told me that they now had all the information they needed and would be in touch again soon.
I thought I would share my experience so far of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
I have been receiving Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) for the past two years and renewal was due in May 2014. So in January I received a letter from the DWP asking if I wanted to claim and switch to PIP the replacement for DLA as my current DLA was due to expire.
So I telephoned the DWP and confirmed I wished to apply for PIP and they subsequently sent me a claim form for completion. The lady on the phone indicated that I would be asked to do a medical assessment within about 4 to 5 weeks after they received the submitted claim form.
If you are on certain benefits including ESA income based on the 20th July 2013, you can qualify for a £135 discount on your electricity bill for the winter of 2013/2014. Government Warm Home Discount Scheme website link is here. You have to make an application direct to your supplier. Find out more at your energy suppliers website
Hi, money is getting tight for us as well as many many other households.
I must admit I am a keen fan of Lidl’s and my distrust and hate of Tesco’s grows every day, but lets not go there today.
The main purpose of this blog is that I wanted to check my own benefits entitlement as we have had a few changes.
Martin Lewis (Money Savings Expert) & Mind have released their 2013 Guide to Mental Health and Debt. Well worth a read if you are struggling.
Continue reading “Debt Advice for Anxiety Sufferers”
My Anxiety was asked: ‘My friends have a middle aged son with mental health illnesses who can no longer work, what financial help & support is available for him? He is struggling more and we are getting older and are worried about him now and when we are gone’
The first step is for him to acknowledge that he is ill and go to his GP for help.
Continue reading “Question about Benefits for those who are Mentally ill”
Having been diagnosed 3 years ago with anxiety and depression and been trying to recover since, the DWP ATOS Medical is something I dread and has a massive negative impact on my mental health and recovery
I had my first ATOS Medical in late 2009, where they were more interested in whether I could touch my toes. I scored only 3 points in relation to my Inflammatory Bowel disease rather than my mental health problems. Luckily my appeal was successful and so I was placed into the work related group of ESA.
Continue reading “ATOS Medical Employment Support Allowance (ESA)”