No 4 point PIP descriptors results
| Submission ID: 1165347 |
| Date: 2025-04-10 17:04:00 |
| Nickname: Disabled Carer |
| Age: 45 - 50 |
| Main health condition: Mental health |
| Main conditions that affect daily living: ADHD, anxiety, autism. |
| Rate of PIP daily living component: Standard |
| 4 point descriptor score: No |
| Possibility to score at least one 4-point daily living descriptor at the next review: It is extremely difficult to score 4 point on any descriptor because difficulties are varied especially with an invisible disability. Invisible disabilities are incredibly misunderstood and the lack of understanding coupled with the Ableism of assessors means it is nigh on impossible to score four points on any one descriptor. Even though my disability is global and affects every part of my life and daily activities.. |
| Tasks you struggle with on a day-to-day basis: I have executive dysfunction meaning all the things that people do to look after themselves, on a daily basis without a thought, my brain literally can not do. If I manage to force myself it takes a much longer time to complete tasks and causes me distress and burnout. This includes preparing food, remembering to eat and drink, self care such as washing, showering, attending healthcare appointments even telephone appointments and paying bills, you name it I struggle with it. Executive dysfunction is involved in every aspect of a person's life. I also have sensory difficulties making everything outside of my controlled environment overwhelming and anxiety inducing. I struggle with public transport for the same reasons, people, sensory issues, overwhelm, confusion. All of these issues increase my anxiety. What little executive function I can muster goes towards caring for my adult child so I have nothing left for myself after caring for them. It's so hard to explain to people who have no personal experience of these difficulties. |
| Expected income you will lose if the Green Paper cuts are imposed: If I just lose PIP it is about £290 a month. If my adult child loses their enhanced rate of PIP, I lose the carers allowance for them which is approx £325 a month. So approx £600 in total, for me alone. That doesn't sound like much but we rely on every penny. Because disabled people have particular and unique needs, life is more expensive from food and self care bills to, energy, water, and transport costs. |
| Expected problems if you tried moving into work, with support from a work coach: I had two breakdowns before I finally left work to care for my child, because I found the struggles of my disabilities were not understood or catered for and I would get very overwhelmed and burn out. I was also constantly being given warnings and getting into trouble for making mistakes I hadn't realised I was making. Employers think once they have shown you a thing you should know it but my brain takes a lot longer to learn a new skill and is easily distracted and overwhelmed, so silly and sometimes large, mistakes were commonplace. I was always in trouble and always worried I would lose my job and other staff would bully me too. Moving back into work would also make supporting my child's care needs very difficult. |
| Anything else to tell us: The whole process of applying for PIP is Ableist, dehumanising and distressing. No-one, NO-ONE, should have to endure it, and it's a regular thing, people literally dread being reassessed every few years, I have seen what the anticipation of it does to people it, it's just cruel. I never had the same treatment when applying for UC so why is it okay to dehumanise disabled people? Why aren't we regarded as humans too? We are not out here buying jet skis and champagne. Living with a disability just costs more for various reasons. So many who are very much eligible for PIP just won't put themselves through the process and I understand why but it's not how we should treat each other in society. Being disabled is an unfortunate fact of life for some, not a moral failing, but the government is spinning it that way that needs to be punished away. Also I just want to point out that so many disabled people, especially those that are younger and fresh out of education want to work. The issue is with the employers either not employing disabled applicants or treating them poorly if they do. Bullying is especially commonplace for those with neurodivergent or invisible disabilities. Because I want to support society in the way I am able to I have volunteered for local community initiatives since my child started school up until very recently when my anxiety got worse after the pandemic ( well over 15 years so far). Many disabled people and carers are involved in voluntary work why is that not valued by our govt and those in our society? Society depends on voluntary workers and unpaid carers, now we are under attack. By all means improve access to work schemes. Make workplaces accessible for the disabled and those with health/mental health issues (and therefore make it better for everyone). Offer different work style options in the workplace or at home, that needs to happen, it's long overdue. However forcing people into a situation that is going to cause poverty, hardship and very probably exacerbate disabilities and health conditions is no help to anyone. |
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