Diabetes and PIP benefit…

[Pipp]

I should point out that I am a statutory mental health advocate and we are not allowed to complete benefit forms for our clients. A support worker or a PA should be approached.

Ah, I thought you were seeking the advice for yourself, @Duchess4eva . Sorry for misunderstanding.
Of course, anyone who needs assistance with the application should not expect support workers, or GP, or any Health Care Professional to assist with the form filling, though they can help by providing supportive evidence. For help with forms, as previously mentioned, Citizens advice, or other Welfare Advice agencies are a great source of support.

 

[KarenTrebell]

Thank you for the warm welcome .. Thank you all for your replies. These are really helpful. I will look at the website and see what further info I can get before making a decision to apply or not. My workplace have in the meantime recommended ‘Access to work’ program as diabetes is a disability covered under the Equality Act.

Hiya if you are worried about your hypos maybe think of going onto the Libre system for blood monitoring. Type 1 in UK should get it on NHS. After having Diabetes for 30 years I went on it last Feb and havent looked back since. You can set it to warn you of an oncoming hypo so it alarms before you get too low. Good luck

 

[CottonCutiePies]

Back in the days of dla I got given it for just diabetes alone. I'm still waiting to be switched over to pip and I know I won't get it for diabetes because I'm able to function most of the time unless hypo or hyper comes out to play. However I've since been diagnosed with scoliosis, spina bifida, bursitis, arthritis, heart disease and if that wasn't enough I've recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia which is my saving grace. I'm not going to wait any longer for the switch as according to the test to get pip for fibromyalgia I should get the enhanced rate for both instead of just the care component of dla. But if you think you may get it you've got to keep a daily diary and put down how you are feeling ie tired after a hypo or during a hyper. Listen to what your body is telling you. Then I'd ask at citizens advice. You don't say how long you've been diagnosed. I felt how you did at the very beginning of my journey 35 years ago. After learning how to deal with a hypo which was very difference advice back then and accepting that I had this monster living inside of me, I read all I could and accepted it and learnt to live with it. Hypos are very scary but if you listen to the warnings and keep a regular watch on your glucose levels it becomes less scary. Do you have libre or dexcom sensors or an insulin pump?

 

[Captain_Sensible]

I don't think you qualify for simply being diabetic you need other issues to.. And mental health can be part of that… But it's a point based system based on what you can do for yourself.. In if you can lead a mostly normal life the chances are slim

I would suggest seeking specialist advise based on your exact circumstances

You are spot on their Searley. You need specialist welfare rights advice. You should at least have a Libre 2 system in place and do your tests before driving your car as well as being able to recognise a hypo coming. Hypo awareness the DVLA call that.. if you can manage your life relatively normally ie Mobility is ok and can actually do things for yourself- then as Searley suggests your chances are pretty slim imho

 

[Tobyboy14]

Hello

I was wondering whether any UK forum users are on here who are receiving Personal Independence payments? I have been on insulin for a good few years and have had real anxiety about hypos in a job where I have to travel alot and only just found out that I may be eligible for Pip if the diabetes is affecting my life this way. I would appreciate any info from people who may be receiving or who are in the same position as me… x

Hello, I’m a type 2 diabetic on tablets and insulin. I also have heart and breathing issues and fibromyalgia/ arthritis. I’m on PIP, which I use for help, like weekly cleaner.
Your claim will depend on how your condition affects your everyday life. Good luck.

 

[Tris83]

Hello

I was wondering whether any UK forum users are on here who are receiving Personal Independence payments? I have been on insulin for a good few years and have had real anxiety about hypos in a job where I have to travel alot and only just found out that I may be eligible for Pip if the diabetes is affecting my life this way. I would appreciate any info from people who may be receiving or who are in the same position as me… x

Not sure about that but I get it for mobility for neuropathy because I can only walk about 100 meters

 

[Tris83]

Not sure about that but I get it for mobility for neuropathy because I can only walk about 100 meters

 

[Amy1924]

Hello

I was wondering whether any UK forum users are on here who are receiving Personal Independence payments? I have been on insulin for a good few years and have had real anxiety about hypos in a job where I have to travel alot and only just found out that I may be eligible for Pip if the diabetes is affecting my life this way. I would appreciate any info from people who may be receiving or who are in the same position as me… x

I was thinking the same thing I’ve just requested the forms. I suffer from anxiety, depression, asthma, type 1 diabetic (13years), neuropathy in my left leg up to my knee and recently in January got diagnosed with retinopathy as well. All while trying to raise 3 young kids on my own. It’s been a nightmare the last 2 years.

 

[Stewie_60]

PIP is not awared for any particular condition, but for how a condition affects day to day living.
Popular media tends to suggest DWP benefits are awarded for certain conditions. This is misleading.
The website recommended by @lovinglife is very useful, and explains the application process really well. It certainly is not as simple as popular media suggests.

Exactly this.
I have PIP now, not because I'm T1, but due to the cardiac damage and autonomic neuropathy over 63 years. Along with a spinal injury.
You need to be quite unwell, in need of daily help to do normal stuff and movement restricted.
6 month process, 40 page forms, medical assesment, examination of your medical records, GP and Consultants questioned.
Forget getting the award for some mental health issues. It isn't like getting a blue badge.
But you might get a Universal Credit award, not if you work, obviously.

 

[scorpius14]

I applied at some point but not for t1d but for mental health issue (lifelong intellectual disability without going into too much detail), the criteria I assume is still the same, they gave me a fitness assessment, mostly about how I got out and about, if had problems going to the toilet or going further than 20m for instance. If you have evidence like a support worker at your back with documents detailing your day-to-day activities and you feel you meet the criteria of the PIP form, it would be comparatively simple as opposed to just having your doctor filling out a form (as I had done), detailing your medical information and just generalising on how your disability affects you.