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Receive PIP but also a carer

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1 year 7 months ago #280238 by woo
Receive PIP but also a carer was created by woo
Hello

My PIP review is rapidly approaching and I'm overthinking and panicking about everything.

One reason my own existing conditions (mainly mental health) have not improved, is that much of the only energy I have is spent chasing my brother's failing care provider. It has caused so much stress and upset recently that I'm a raw nerve. Stress exacerbates many of my problems.

I'm worried that if I even allude to stress in the review appointment, that helping my brother will come up. If it does, I fear they'll deem that I am capable (comms, managing appointments, planning etc) for him, and so it will count against me.

I'm barely capable of doing it for him but feel like I have to for his safety. My hideous chronic depression means I can't do the same fighting for myself.

Does anyone have any suggestions please on how to manage this in the PIP review? Or how to avoid talking about it?

I do have new conditions to talk to them about too which might distract them.

Thank you

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1 year 7 months ago #280239 by BIS
Replied by BIS on topic Receive PIP but also a carer
Hi Woosum

Please change your forum name. You don't want your email address to be out on the internet for everyone to see. You can find how to here benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum#two

You haven't said whether you are paid carers allowance or help him out when needed. There are people who are carers and receive PIP. The DWP's concern is often if a claimant requires PIP - how can they also fulfil the criteria of being a carer? Some claimants have found that they have lost their carer's allowance because it is deemed they can't do the role for which they are being paid. There are also plenty of people who receive PIP and yet have caring responsibilities that go unrecognised by the state.

I understand your dilemma, but if you have already told them about the stress you are under on your review form, then you may well get asked about it, and it could be hard to avoid. You don't need to go into every detail of what you have tried to do for your brother, and you need to try and focus on the difficulties that you have and how they impact your life. If you haven't put it on the review form, then it will be up to you how much you say during the assessment.

I understand why it's much easier to do something for someone else than it is for yourself, but don't expect an assessor to understand that, so without overthinking it - focus on what you need the assessor to know about you.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: woo

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1 year 7 months ago #280258 by woo
Replied by woo on topic Receive PIP but also a carer
Thank you. Quick replies:
- I don't get carers allowance. He lives in supported living but the service is continuously failing so I have a lot of oversight, complaints etc which is stressful.
- I haven't told them about carer stuff before, just scared that because I'm so frazzled, it'll slip out.

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1 year 7 months ago #280268 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Receive PIP but also a carer
woo

If it is not known that you are providing support for your brother then I would not expect you to be asked about the situation.

Gordon

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

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