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Using my weirdness to my benefit? Open about how I live?

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11 months 2 weeks ago #286033 by Aly
Hello all.

I wanted to ask for a bit of general advice for my PIP application (and I'm finding the guide very helpful! :laugh: ) - I live an unconventional life (reclusive, living in a van) and consequently a lot of stuff that is normal for me would be considered abnormal by normal people standards. I live this way because it is far preferable for me due to issues around being autistic, having bipolar, ptsd etc.

When it comes to dealing with officialdom, living in vehicles is a grey area. Is it better to be open about the fact I live in a vehicle as it massively improves my quality of life? And the incidental facts of my life being that I rarely shower / bathe? That I will often go for a long time without being anywhere near anyone? I am able to drive, but it is also true that I cannot always drive (if i have meltdowns etc).

The real question is: is it good to be open in my application about living in a vehicle (and why), or do I describe my living conditions as if I lived in a house? (Which they would likely assume if I don't mention where I actually live.) Thank you for any help :)

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11 months 2 weeks ago #286081 by Gary
Hi Aly

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum.

You have to be open and honest, a number of my clients are travellers and live in caravans.

When applying for PIP, it is not so much the condition per se that the DWP is interested in, but how that condition/s impacts a claimant's daily life and mobility as set out in the PIP criteria. We are not assessors or medical professionals, so cannot give a view on what you will get and at what level. Two people can have identical conditions but be given different awards.

Our guide to PIP claims and reviews goes through each question highlighting important issues that you need to consider in your answers and giving some sample answers; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

PIP is not awarded because of the condition but rather the limitations that result and prevent a claimant from completing a range of everyday activities.

Read about the reliability element in the guide - if you cannot do something:

• Safely – in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person.
• To a necessary and acceptable standard – given the nature of the activity.
• Repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required.
• In a reasonable time period – no more than twice as long as a person without a physical or mental health condition would take to carry out the activity.

then you should not be considered able to do the activity.

The fact that you can’t do the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly or in a reasonable time, means you can’t do it at all for the purposes of the descriptors.

If you have any further questions, then please return to the forum.

Gary

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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