Tag Archive for: Guides

Blue image saying PIP

Understanding the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Process

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PIP application process

What is Personal Independence Payment?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit in the UK designed to help people with extra living costs if they have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It is available to people aged 16 and over

PIP has two parts:

  1. Daily Living: Helps with everyday tasks like preparing food, washing, dressing, and managing money.
  2. Mobility: Helps with getting around, like walking or planning routes

You can receive PIP whether you are working or not, and it is not affected by your income or savings

Eligibility

You can check if you’re eligible for PIP via the government website, https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

How to Apply

PIP is currently rolling out a online application you can check if this is available in your area – https://www.apply-for-pip.dwp.gov.uk/eligibility/check-if-eligible

You can start a claim for PIP via post to Freepost DWP PIP 1

However, it may take longer to receive a decision as they will request that you fill out a personal details form before they can send you the claim form.

You can also start a claim via phone, we would advise setting aside around an hour for this as you may have to wait in a queue, you can have someone to support you with this call however they will request your consent to speak to them

Telephone: 0800 917 2222 Textphone: 0800 917 7777

If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, Relay UK can support Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 917 2222 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

What will happen

They will request the following personal details:

· Your contact details, for example telephone number

· Your date of birth

· Your National Insurance number, if you have one (you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits)

· Your bank or building society account number and sort code

· Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

· Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

· Dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

 

Once you have completed this you will be sent a form to fill out detailing your condition/disability, MAIN can provide you with an evidence letter to be sent back alongside this, please give at least two weeks notice for this. This support is for people who are accessing MAIN services.

When completing the form

  • Keep in mind how your condition impacts you on your worst day.
  • If your condition is a hidden disability, ensure your expand on your answers
  • Get someone you know or professional to look over your answers
  • There is a lot of guidance on Citizen’s Advice website

You will be given a deadline for returning the form however if you need more time you need to contact PIP to request this.

You may then require an assessment this may be in person, over the phone or via video call, following this a decision will be made and you will be sent a letter explaining it.

Should you not be happy with the decision you have the right to appeal. There is more guidance on the appeal process here 

 

 

Universal Credit logo on screen

Applying for Universal Credit

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Applying for Universal Credit

You can apply for universal credit online; you will have 28 days to complete the application form so it is best to have all the information you need at hand.

You can check if you are eligible for Universal credit – https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility

You can also make an appointment with Citizen’s Advice to discuss making a claim as they may be able to support you.

If you live with a partner, you must both submit a claim even if your partner does not meet the eligibility requirements as the outcome will depend on your household income and savings, you must apply separately and link the accounts later.

 

To apply for Universal Credit you will need:

· Your bank, building society or credit union account details

· An email address

· Access to a phone

You will also need proof of your identity:

· Driving licence

· Passport

· Debit or credit card

· Payslip or P60

 

If you don’t have these you will need to contact the helpline or citizens advice may be able to support

· Universal Credit helpline

· Telephone: 0800 328 5644

· Welsh language: 0800 328 1744

· Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644

· British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet

· Textphone: 0800 328 1344

· Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

 

You will also need to provide information about:

· Your housing, for example how much rent you pay

· Your earnings, for example payslips

· Your National Insurance number, if you have one

· Other benefits you get

· Any disability or health condition that affects your work

· How much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs

· Your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out

 

You may be asked to attend an appointment with the universal credit team if they need more information or if they cannot verify your identity, this may be over the phone or in person at a jobcentre.

You will need to agree to a ‘claimant commitment’ before receiving any universal credit, you will have a meeting usually at the jobcentre to discuss this, you may be required to look for work or to look to increase your current income however this depends on the information provided and whether they assess you as being able to work, you will be supported by a ‘work coach’ if you are required to look for work and may need to attend appointments.

You will have an online account to manage your claim where you can access messages.

MAIN can provide an evidence letter to support your application for universal credit if you are accessing support. Please give at least 2 weeks notice for this.

Disabled bus pass image

Getting a disabled bus pass

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Getting a disabled bus pass

Having a bus pass entitles you to free travel on all standard bus services in England after 9.30am on Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Special night-time services and other special services may be excluded.

Before 9.30am on Monday to Friday:

· Travel for 50p when you get on at a stop within the boundary of your local Council

· Ordinary fares normally apply when you get on anywhere else

· Usually include any local Park and Rides

You may also get half-price travel on certain local train services

 

How to apply

You can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass via post, online or in person

Go to your local council website or google ‘apply for a disabled bus pass in [council name]’

MAIN can provide an evidence letter to support your application – please give at least two weeks notice for this. You will need to be accessing our services to receive an evidence letter.

You will need to provide proof of eligibility for a bus pass:

· Proof that you live in County Durham, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill or council tax letter

· Proof of your condition or qualifying benefit

 

Sending your application

You can send your bus pass application by post, online, or in person.

Post –

Send the form alongside proof of eligibility and a passport sized photograph

Online –

Scan or take a photo of your form, proof of eligibility and take a passport style photo, you can upload this to the document submission form,

In Person –

Most council’s have a  ‘Customer access point’ where you can arrange an appointment or drop in- remember to bring your form and proof of eligibility.

 

Blue background with disabled logo

Guide for Applying for a Blue Badge

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Guide for Applying for a Blue Badge

The Blue Badge scheme, which began recognizing hidden disabilities in 2019, can be a great help. When applying, consider focusing on the following areas:

Areas not directly addressed in the application that is worth adding:

  1. Sensory Concerns:
    • How sensory issues impact the ability to focus.
    • Recognizing dangers, such as reversing cars.
    • The need for support to walk safely in a car park.
    • Balancing issues and overall risk.
  2. Impact of Going into the Community:
    • The physical, emotional, and mental toll of being in the community.
    • How these impacts manifest once back home.
  3. Impact of Current Parking:
    • The longer distance to walk to the shop.
    • Increased risks due to the distance.
    • Difficulty in getting to a safe space, like the car.
  4. Independence:
    • Whether the individual needs to have their hand held.
    • The risk of running away.
    • The impact on others.
    • The need for extra space to fasten them in, etc.

Here are some tips to help you with a successful Blue Badge application:

  1. Be Detailed and Specific:
    • Provide clear examples of how the disability affects daily life.
    • Describe specific incidents or challenges faced due to the disability.
  2. Use Medical Evidence:
    • Include letters or reports from healthcare professionals that support your application.
    • Ensure the evidence is recent and relevant to the application
  3. Provide a Comprehensive Picture:
    • Paint a full picture of the challenges faced, including sensory concerns, independence issues, and the overall impact on daily life.
    • Be honest and thorough in your descriptions.

Applying

You can apply online here

By addressing these points in your application, you can provide a comprehensive picture of the challenges faced and the necessity of a Blue Badge. Good luck with your application! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

 

Orange box stating date ideas

Neurodivergent Friendly Date Ideas

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Neurodivergent Friendly Date Ideas

 

Quite often, a lot of the stereotypical date ideas – like going to a restaurant – can be overwhelming, especially if you are autistic. There can be lots of people there making noise, there might be music on, the lighting might be weird, and the food might be different to what you are used to.  Here are some ideas, for date activities that won’t make you feel overstimulated.

Movie night – Maybe there’s a film you’ve both been wanting to see, or maybe you’d like to share your favourite film with your date. You could make it extra special by having your favourite movie snacks and drinks. If you fancy going to the cinema, you could also look up if there are any sensory-friendly showings near you, as this can be a good option if you normally find the cinema too loud.

Walks – Walking can be a great way to spend time with someone, especially if there is a nice place near you. You can spend time in nature and enjoy being outside. You might even like to take a picnic with both of your favourite snacks.

Art date – If you are creative people, you might enjoy making some art together. You could draw each other, colour the same thing and compare your choices, or even learn a new craft together. You might enjoy each working on your own projects, but in the same room, where you are able to chat, or just enjoy each other’s company.

Museums – museums and art galleries can be a great place for a date. You could explore something that you are interested in, and learn something new. There are lots of different museums for different things, if you are more interested in science, history or art, there will probably be something for you.

Games – If you enjoy videogames, there are so many games designed to be played in pairs, you could choose to compete with each other or play a fun co-op game and work as a team. Likewise, board games are a great activity for spending time together, getting to know each other, and there are a lot of great board games to play as a duo.

These are just some ideas for how you could spend time with a partner, and you could also use these ideas as things to do with your friends. Remember, there are no rules for what the perfect date should look like, but it’s good to think about what you need from your environment. For example, trying to get to know someone, or have a romantic time, in a busy or stressful environment might be quite difficult. It’s okay to go somewhere during off-peak times or choose to do something at home.

Think about calm environments, sensory friendly activities, and shared interests. Many autistic people benefit from routine and flexibility, so maybe a weekly movie night together, or a monthly trip somewhere might be fun!

ericknows.co.uk shares various locations which pride themselves on accessibility across the

 

 

Image stating consent

February Guides – Consent

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MAIN’s guide to understanding Consent

Giving consent means giving permission or agreement for something to happen. This is a very important thing to think about in dating and relationships, especially around sex.  Establishing consent clearly and explicitly is always important in sexual encounters.

Consent matters because it:

  • Builds trust in relationships
  • Prevents harm and trauma
  • Respects everyone’s boundaries
  • Empowers people to make their own decisions

Navigating sex and consent as a neurodivergent person can also be difficult and stressful. It can be hard to know what the other person is feeling and even what you want in a situation. When asking for consent it’s important to:

  • Ask for consent before engaging in sexual activities
  • Be direct and unambiguous
  • Respect the other person’s response
  • Check in regularly with your partner
  • Remember silence does not mean consent

You can ask questions like “Do you want to do X?”, “Is it okay if I X?”, “Do you like that?” or “Do you want to stop?”

Some people worry that asking for consent will ‘ruin the moment’, and take away from the experience. This is not true. Asking explicitly for permission means that there is much less ambiguity and, therefore, much less stress, letting both of you relax and enjoy your time together.

Remember: No means no. If someone says they don’t want to have sex with you, this is okay. They are allowed to not want to do something, and it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you if someone doesn’t feel like being physical with you. It is also okay for someone to change their mind and decide they want to stop.

It’s also okay if you change your mind, or if you don’t want to do certain activities. A good partner will respect your boundaries and will not pressure you into sexual activity if you don’t want to do it.

Navigating grey areas of consent

Sometimes it can be a bit ambiguous about whether someone is consenting, or able to consent. It is always better to err on the side of caution. Try to take your own feelings out of the picture, and think about how your partner might feel now, and how they might feel later. If there’s even a small chance they might feel bad about it later, then it is better not to. People definitely cannot consent if they are asleep, intoxicated, under the legal age of consent, or if they feel pressured or coerced.

Many people find it difficult to say when they don’t want to consent. If someone’s body language implies that they don’t want to continue, you should check in with them and make sure that they want to continue. Examples of this sort of body language include:

  • Looking away or moving away from you
  • Being very quiet or silent
  • Crossed arms or appearing closed off
  • Being still or not moving much

Life is full of ambiguities, and the best way to navigate them is to always act in the kindest way towards your partner and put their safety first. The reason why we need enthusiastic consent is that sex is supposed to be fun, and if your partner is visibly not having fun, this may mean you should check in with them.

You must always respect whether someone consents and not pressure or force someone to have sex or do sexual things with you. This is assault and it is illegal, and it is a very horrible thing to do.

If you feel that someone has forced you to engage in sexual behaviours with them, you can seek support from Victim Support:

www.victimsupport.org.uk 0808 16 89 111

 

 

Pink image saying Guide smiley faces and magnifying glass

MAIN’s guide finding Social Groups

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MAIN’s guide finding Social Groups

Making friends as an adult can be difficult, but joining groups and clubs around an existing hobbies or starting a new hobby can be a great way meet like-minded people. By socialising around a specific interest it can make communication much easier.

How to find a potential group around an interest:
o Online local search
o Libraries
o Community notice boards
o Courses related to your interests

Managing anxiety before attending groups and clubs:

o It can help to get as much information about the group before you
go.
o Breaking down the task of going into small tasks can help reduce
anxiety.
o Introducing yourself before turning can help when they know to
expect you.
o Taking someone with you can be a good aid for the first time even
if they don’t like the interest.

Example

Drama club
o Email beforehand to introduce yourself and find
out the details
o Find out about the venue
o Look up the route to the venue
o Join the clubs social media
o Attend with a friend that goes or bring a friend

At university?
You can also look for:
o Look at the Student Union for societies and clubs
o The university might have an accessible hour at fresher’s fair, which
are quieter
o Talk with students on your course
o The people you live with
It is best join as soon as you can at the start of the year.

 

You can also look at our social groups here : Adult Group   Inbetweeners   Showstoppers  Tween and Teens
Blue January

MAIN’s guide to Blue January and Wellbeing

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Blue January – Blue Monday 20th January 

Often, towards the end of January, we may start to feel a little blue. Maybe we have lost motivation with our new year’s resolution, maybe we are struggling with the winter darkness and cold, maybe it just feels too long since Christmas. Whatever is getting you down, here are some tips for getting through those January blues.

Hope for the year ahead.

Think about what you are looking forward to this year – plan to do some things you enjoy.

Goal setting – many people towards the end of January feel like they are already failing their new year’s resolution – think about planning a realistic and achievable way to meet your goal. Is there a way to break it down into smaller steps?

Remember – the days are getting lighter. It can seem like the winter and the cold are endless, but we have almost made it through January, the sunset is getting later, and the weather will get warmer again.

Low budget?

Many people struggle in January due to the cost of Christmas, and the long gap until being paid in January. If you are struggling with money, there may be help available. You may wish to check if you are eligible for support with heating bills due to cold weather. You can contact Citizen’s Advice for support with this.

Try some free or low-cost activities to have fun – you could go on a nice walk in nature, go to a museum, try on ugly outfits in shops, play a game, do some art, or visit a library to borrow some books to read.

 

Coping with feeling down

Try doing activities that you enjoy. Activities like baking, drawing, reading, gaming and watching your favourite show or film are great for those dark winter evenings.

Connect with people you care about. You might want to call or text people family or friends – or even invite people over for a “Brew Monday” – and have a good catch up over a hot drink.

It’s a good idea to try and get some daylight and fresh air when you can, but be careful going out if it’s icy, and make sure to wrap up warm.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, try some mindfulness strategies to bring you back into the moment. You might want to focus on your senses and pay attention to what’s around you, or you could just take some deep breaths.

 

Recognise if you need more help

The winter months are often difficult, but it’s important to seek help if you find yourself feeling depressed on most days. Your doctor can discuss these feelings with you.

If you are feeling suicidal you can contact below for help. Samaritans: 116 123

Crisis Team: 0800 0516 171

You can also text Shout to 85258

 

Happy New Year 2025

MAIN’s New Year Resolutions Guide

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MAIN’s New Year Self care Resolutions Guide

New Year self-care resolutions

New years can be a great time to think about what you want to do in the next year. However, it can be overwhelming when there is so much focus on what you should be achieving. Sometimes the best new years resolutions are based around looking after ourselves and feeling our best.

Here are some ideas for a new years resolution to focus on feeling your best, instead of achievements:

· Learn to be kind to yourself when you have to take a break.

 

· Take some time each day to go outside and get fresh air.

 

· Practice asking for help when you need it.

 

· Make sure to bring a comfort item with you everywhere, that you can use when you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

 

· Spend time every week on a special interest or something that brings you joy

 

· Start writing a journal of positive things that you have done, however small, so you can look back and be proud of yourself.

 

· Practice mindful strategies when you are feeling stressed.

 

· Plan some time to rest each day, whatever that means to you.

 

We had our older groups try out this activity and we got some brilliant self-care resolutions

Aged 36 ‘ Try new foods (e.g. Ramen), be more active and save up for a staycation’

Aged 25 ‘ Be more healthy’

Aged 14 ‘Be more active and be more good mentally’

 Aged 19- ‘Pass my Level 3 in Animal Management 

Aged 21- ‘Be able to graduate from University. Keep up my collecting. Walk to family whenever possible as much as possible. Try not to panic when forced with uncontrollable situations’.

 Aged 18 – ‘I would like to either make progress on or completely finish : Improving my Maths and English significantly, Expanding my palette and trying new foods and finishing Minecraft FNAF world.’

Aged 15 ‘ Going to college and making music’