Type 1 PIP / benefits

[AmyLH]

Does anyone claim PIP or any other benefit for T1? (and/or anxiety, depression) my mum got DLA when I was young.

I quit my job in July due to anxiety and depression, I can't face full time work right now. Any job I apply for that I'd feel comfortable doing I don't get. I rarely test my bg now and can't afford CGM any more, my bg is creeping up as I'm off and not doing much.
I've spoken to the doctor at clinic briefly about the libre sensors on prescription for a while but no straight answer.
All I need is a bit of help for a while until I get to where I'm headed.
Just wondered if anyone has any advice?

 

[Seacrow]

I have been awarded PIP and have diabetes and depression. You should be aware that PIP is given based on how your life is affected, not what conditions you have. A well adjusted t1 with a good hba1c would get nothing. A person whose diabetic control is drastically damaged by their mental health should get something. However, from personal experience, if you are not seeing a mental health specialist, the dwp assessor will take one look and record 'doesn't appear mentally unwell', no benefit necessary.

The conditions the doctors put on getting the libre vary between authorities as far as I can tell. Mine says I would need to be bg testing more than the twice a day that I do. Like you, I find twice a day is as much as I can cope with. Why can't doctors understand that I don't want to stick pins in my fingers to make them bleed?

If you are going to claim PIP, the best advice I can give is get help to fill the form in (cab etc.)

About the depression, you are not alone, hang on there. Get as much help from your gp as you can.

 

[misspinky1984]

i claim pip got lot of health problems but hoping to go back to work once my health improves x

 

[WilliamIrvine]

I claim PIP and get enhanced rates for both. My claim is partly due to the complications of Type 1 Diabetes, and partly due to HIV infection.
Now why do I get it do you ask? Well at my HIV diagnosis my blood glucose was so high it was un-recordable, my infection with HIV was so high it almost tipped the scales. It is a combination of these two conditions being so out of range or control that I am left with a persistent muscle weakness and pain. I require the assistance of my housemate to take care of personal business in the mornings for most mornings of the month. He will prepare and leave a lunch for me to microwave later, he helps me to make the evening meal as I try to be as independent as I can. I can't walk the length of a supermarket isle (imagine Asda ones) without requiring to rest. I suffer depression due to both HIV and Diabetes, I have had to have a left leg amputation due to septic infection.
I used to go hill walking every weekend that I could, I used to be able to go shopping without fear of falling over, I used to be able to shower without requiring a seat or grab rails, I used to run up stairs in my house that I now take 20 minutes or so to go up.
Why am I posting this - well if anything I want newly diagnosed individuals, or those that don't really bother much with their diabetes, or those who think "it'll never happen to me" to realise that it just might - that's what I always used to think and I regret everything I did and didn't do in the past. So please do listen carefully to your teams. I have had to fight and prove that I need PIP - not something I ever want anyone else to have to go through