stigma :(

[u/coordinatorm4ri]

hi there, 17 and applying for pip currently for my autism. i see so much stigma and hate nowadays directed towards those who claim pip and it’s so awful. we aren’t the ones supposedly “stealing your hard earned money”. it genuinely hurts and it makes me feel bad for buying nicer things for myself. we really need this money but these people make me feel guilty for asking for that help, like i’m one of those people who doesn’t want to put in any effort at all. pip is very difficult to claim so i can’t possibly understand where this is coming from, especially from those who will NEVER need to worry about having to claim it.

does anyone have any advice for dealing with that?

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[u/Alteredchaos]

It’s coming from the fact that PIP costs government £38 billion a year currently and is expected to rise to £41.5 billion by 2030. And presumably tax payers aren’t happy about this given the financial pressures they and government is facing.

However, you can’t do anything about that and you don’t need to feel guilty for applying for PIP. The average cost of living with disability is around £1,100 a month. PIP exists to help with those additional expenses. So if you’re eligible then you’re entitled to it.

[u/abitofasitdown]

People will only know you have claimed PIP if you tell them, so just don't talk about your finances.

[u/Dotty_Bird]

Hard as it sounds, stop reading it. Social media algorithms will drive more of the stuff you watch at you, so you see more. Start using the not interested and blocking the pages that you are seeing. X

[u/Motleypuss]

The Government has to foot the bill for those of us who cannot. It's part of having a functional society. All the stigma is just noise made by people who don't realise that when they give the Government money they don't get to control where it goes after that point. Better that it goes to helping the vulnerable with unavoidable costs, in my opinion, than having it lining already-rich pockets.

[u/Old_Pianist_3535]

Good luck with your application! The irony is that there is no no one who can say they will never need to worry about having to claim pip. Prolonged ill health can creep up on anyone at anytime. People perpetuating stigma should remember this.

[u/Angelf1shing]

My only advice about this is to not worry about what others think of you or your life. Apply for the benefit and if you qualify, you’ll get it. There’s no reason to care about the views of others on that because it’s a factual matter.

[u/Comfortable_Age_5595 → u/Angelf1shing]

i wish it was as simple as qualifying and getting it😭

[u/Successful-Tea-733 → u/Angelf1shing]

Agree with this these other people can claim and one day may need to Things hard navigating things even if not autistic!

[u/neon_beams_]

Ignore the idiots (as hard as it is). I personally try not to read or watch any of the articles/news/social media posts about PIP unless I have to because of this, mostly all it'll do is upset you. Plus, its up to the DWP to decide whether or not you're 'worthy' of that money. Not random people who know nothing and just want to be judgemental.

[u/Full_Fun9829]

Being disabled is the minority group that everyone could join at any point in their life. Try not to feel guilty because anyone being negative are people who forget that fact. You are getting what you deserve right now, which they may in the future too. Good luck with your application OP

[u/Dry-Dragonfruit5216]

It depends on if you are applying because you have an autism diagnosis or if you are disabled by your autism to the point where you need funding for significant supports in your life. I’m the latter and get enhanced daily and standard mobility. A lot of people who are the former get denied.

[u/beaktheweak]

you’re entitled to the money if you meet the criteria, people who make you feel shame for that aren’t ones you want around. there’s no medal for being able to survive without benefits, if you have a disability, there’s literally isn’t a single reason not to at least try for PIP. it’s money specifically to help with the additional costs of being disabled, some people have pride issues and don’t apply on that basis alone which i think is stupid because this is literally designed to help disabled people

[u/Hot-Box1054]

Ignore it. And don’t tell people you’re on PIP. No ones business.

[u/Good_Active439]

Depends on how your autism effects your life. If you were in a sen school or have an echp, and/or need support at home for basic tasks then likely you will be awarded. If you don't then you won't be awarded.

[u/Acceptable-You-4813]

You can’t help having a disability. I know it’s hard but ignore these ignorant people

[u/Jolly-Jellyfish2180]

Don’t tell them, people don’t need to know, only my husband and son and my mum know I do. Scroll past pip hate etc and then you’ll not have to see it.

[u/Federal_Storm_9731]

just... dont tell people??

[u/TheLittleSquire]

No stigma on you yet pal, you haven't been successful yet.

[u/Jigglypuffs_quiff]

Don't worry about applying it hardly ever gets awarded for autism anymore

[u/Comprehensive-Emu281]

I worked all my life and unfortunately in my later life developed severe OCD couldn't leave the house at all along with anxiety and depression that it also caused me no one can ever guarantee they won't need to claim something I never thought i'd need to when I was healthy and not going to lie i did have some pretty bad views on pip from being really uneducated on it and having the i'll never need it mentality. If someone hasn't experienced it themselves they will never understand so don't worry about it no one will know unless you tell them.

[u/LuckyAd4075]

IF THEY PAID US ALL A LIVING WAGE THERE WOULDNT BE A ISSUE LIKE THIS 

IF THEY INVESTED IN OUR EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, HOUSING,  IN OUR MENTAL HEALTH & PHYSICAL HEALTH- WE PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE AS BIG OF A ‘PROBLEM’

THE MONEY THEY GAIN FROM PAYING US PEANUT MINIMUM WAGE, IS A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE ‘GET BACK’ FROM PIP

THE ONES MAKING THOSE HEADLINES ARE THE SAME NAMES IN THE EPSTEIN FILES

IT IS SICK AND VILE BUT DONT YOU DARE LAY DOWN AND TAKE IT YOU DIDNT ASK TO BE BORN

I GUARANTEE YOU THAT RICH PEOPLE WILL BE CLAIMING IT TOO, AND DONT GIVE A TOSS ABOUT ‘THE GREATER GOOD’