The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 13th-19th May 2024, is ‘Movement: moving more for mental health’. In this article, writer Shona Louise shares important information about the support available to people struggling with mental health conditions, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the Motability Scheme.
- Can you get PIP for mental health conditions?
- How to build a strong PIP case for mental health conditions
- How can the Motability Scheme help my mental health?
- Where can I get support for my mental health?
Can you get PIP for mental health conditions?
You can claim PIP if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that impacts your mobility or ability to fulfil daily tasks.
Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), shows that two-thirds of all applicants for PIP are applying due to mental health related conditions.
See the list below for some mental health conditions that might make you eligible to receive PIP:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Addictions (such as drug or alcohol abuse)
To find out more about your mental health diagnosis, mental health charity, Mind, provide helpful information.
Helpful tips for supporting your PIP claims with mental health conditions
Many people wonder if having a mental health condition makes them eligible for PIP. You are awarded points based on how much support you need with everyday tasks and moving around. It’s important to look at your everyday life to assess how much help you need when building your PIP case. It can be useful to get support from a loved one who knows you well to do this.
Some people with mental health conditions may find that they need reminding and prompting to complete everyday tasks. You might also struggle with leaving your home independently. If you need help with any of these things, you may be eligible for PIP.
Here are some common tasks that you might struggle with if you have a mental health condition:
- Preparing and cooking meals unaided and unprompted
- Remembering to take medication
- Managing hygiene tasks
- Talking to and engaging with other people
- Making budgeting decisions
- Planning and following journeys
You can find the full list of the PIP activities and descriptors on the Citizen’s Advice website.
As a part of your PIP assessment, you might need to go for an assessment where you’ll be asked questions about how your mental health condition affects you. This can feel like a daunting experience, but there is advice available on how to prepare for your assessment.
How can the Motability Scheme support my mental health?
With movement as the theme for this years’ Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s good to be aware of how movement can help your mental health and wellbeing. We know that being active and getting out and about is good for our mental health. Sometimes it isn’t easy to leave your home and be active in your community though. The Motability Scheme can help with this If you’re awarded the higher rate of the mobility part of PIP.
The Motability Scheme enables you to lease a vehicle suited to your needs that can give you greater independence and opportunities in your everyday life. Shona Louise has shared how her Motability Scheme vehicle has improved her mental health.
“Before receiving my Motability Scheme Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, my life was limited. I could only go places that I could get to via bus or train. This meant I missed out on so many family days out and opportunities simply because I could not get there. I also did not have the level of independence that I wanted. Feeling out of control of your own life can have such a negative effect.
From the moment I received my vehicle, everything changed. Even simple things like being able to pop into town whenever I wanted to improve my mental health. I was able to see family and friends more often.
But most importantly, my confidence grew. My vehicle gives me the confidence to say yes more and to step out of my comfort zone. All of these things have made me happier and given me a more positive outlook on life.
My mental health is also supported by the worry-free experience that the Motability Scheme offers Insurance, tax, MOTs, and more are covered under your lease, meaning there’s less to worry about in day-to-day life. I know that if I ever have problems with my vehicle, the support is there quickly to solve any issues. I can also access everything through my online account, it just makes everything so easy and gives you that extra peace of mind during your everyday life.”
You can learn more about this year’s theme on the Mental Health Foundation website.
Where else can I get support for my mental health?
It’s important to know what support is out there when you have a mental health condition. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone can help. Here are some helpful organisations that can provide advice and support about living with a mental health condition:
- Mental Health & Money Advice
- Mind
- Mental Health UK
- Samaritans
- Papyrus UK
- Find out about NHS mental health services in your area
Interested in joining the Scheme?
About the Scheme
The Motability Scheme offers an all-inclusive package. If you are in receipt of a qualifying mobility allowance you can use it to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. The Scheme provides flexible and hassle-free access to a brand-new, reliable vehicle of your choice. As well as a great choice of cars, we also provide a wide range of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, scooters, and powered wheelchairs.
Eligibility
To join the Scheme, you must be in receipt of one of the following mobility allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment – Scotland
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
You can easily check whether you’re eligible to join the Motability Scheme by using our eligibility checker tool.
If you’re awarded PIP, you can also access other things such as a disabled person’s railcard, and discounts. Take a look at our article 8 PIP Benefits to learn more about what else you’re eligible for.
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