How to answer PIP descriptors for a 16-year-old moving from DLA

Just because it doesn’t have a big impact on life doesn’t mean it doesn’t help at all. Smaller effects can still be beneficial.

If she has secured an independent specialist post 16 placement there will be additional needs to ADHD.

Why would you be on medication if it didn’t have a big impact on life?

I am more than aware how poor some EHCPs are, which is why I said you don’t have to accept poor EHCPs. You can challenge LA decisions.

Many are not ‘rushed through’. While it happens it isn’t common for EHCPs to be finalised before the 20 weeks timescale. And a not insignificant proportion are not finalised within the timescale/LAs unlawfully breach the deadline.

If “there was nothing in the EHCP to evidence how massively it impacts her life outside of school or the level of support she needs for all her disabilities at home.” “and there is very little detail in her EHCP re impact” then the EHCP is rubbish. Being done by someone coming out of retirement means absolutely nothing about the quality of EHCP. Sadly, many don’t realise their EHCP is poor.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

This is the case for some, but not all. For some, medication does not reduce support needs ‘hugely’. I don’t know why you insist there is ‘no evidence of need by either treatments or support’. OP’s DS has an EHCP. That is evidence of a level of need, especially considering she has just secured an independent specialist post 16 placement.

I’d love to know how you can reach the points needed for PIP when medication alleviates many of the symptoms of ADHD for the vast majority of the day!

I am more than aware how poor some EHCPs are, which is why I said you don’t have to accept poor EHCPs. You can challenge LA decisions.

Many are not ‘rushed through’. While it happens it isn’t common for EHCPs to be finalised before the 20 weeks timescale. And a not insignificant proportion are not finalised within the timescale/LAs unlawfully breach the deadline.

If “there was nothing in the EHCP to evidence how massively it impacts her life outside of school or the level of support she needs for all her disabilities at home.” “and there is very little detail in her EHCP re impact” then the EHCP is rubbish. Being done by someone coming out of retirement means absolutely nothing about the quality of EHCP. Sadly, many don’t realise their EHCP is poor.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

This is the case for some, but not all. For some, medication does not reduce support needs ‘hugely’. I don’t know why you insist there is ‘no evidence of need by either treatments or support’. OP’s DS has an EHCP. That is evidence of a level of need, especially considering she has just secured an independent specialist post 16 placement.

Are you not aware of the situation of overwhelm with EHCPs and how many are rushed through? My DD’s was done by somebody brought out of retirement and is not rubbish at all, she has had fanatastic provision. The fact is they vary hugely. My DD’s EHCP listed all her difficulties within school but even though severe her ADHD difficulties wouldn’t have been enough alone to hit points needed in the PIP descriptors.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

I don't know where you get the idea that medication reduces support needs, It changes needs but it doesn't remove them.

Are you not aware of the situation of overwhelm with EHCPs and how many are rushed through? My DD’s was done by somebody brought out of retirement and is not rubbish at all, she has had fanatastic provision. The fact is they vary hugely. My DD’s EHCP listed all her difficulties within school but even though severe her ADHD difficulties wouldn’t have been enough alone to hit points needed in the PIP descriptors.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

Your DD’s EHCP is, frankly, rubbish and not worth the paper it is written on if it doesn’t cover needs arising from her ADHD. It should cover all needs and provision required. You don’t have to accept such rubbish.

EHCPs should also cover PfA provision, which covers the activities covered by PIP.

It isn’t correct to say someone with ADHD alone won’t be eligible. Not everyone with ADHD alone will be eligible for PIP, but some will be. It is about functional ability, not diagnosis.

It is also untrue to say OP’s DS probably doesn’t need it and will have zero evidence just because OP is asking. OP says she has learning difficulties. OP has also just secured an independent specialist post 16 placement for DS so there will be evidence.

Hi all, when transferring from dla to pip, do you get a back payment if the amount your awarded from pip is higher then the amount you already receive from dla.
TIA 😊

The PIP descriptors don’t lend themselves to ADHD so he’s unlikely to get it just for ADHD. It’s also not done on diagnosis but how a disability impacts life and support needs which anonymous people on the internet won’t know so pointless asking.

It’s your son, if you’re asking how to answer the descriptors he probably doesn’t need it particularly so if you have zero evidence.

An EHCP won’t help you as it’s support needed at home not within education. My DD’s EHCP helped because it listed all her conditions( your son only has ADHD apparently)and backed up some of her other disabilities. Her ADHD difficulties wouldn’t have earned her enough points in any of the descriptors and there was nothing in the EHCP to evidence how massively it impacts her life outside of school or the level of support she needs for all her disabilities at home.

@TheOpalFox , one would think honestly is the only possible answer to your question.

Honestly

It's pretty straightforward from dla to pip. Nothing has changed I suppose so if he met the criteria for dla he will meet the criteria for pip. You just do what everyone else does and talk about his worst day as the norm with some slight exaggerations if needed.

Yes? Are you implying that it’s ok for the DWP to use AI as a tool but not the disabled?

it is often AI talking to AI and that’s actually fine. (Well TBH I’d prefer a more human experience but the DWP aren’t offering that so…)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses AI and automated software to assist in processing benefits. While standard AI detectors aren't always explicitly named, assessors and decision-makers are trained to spot applications that use generic, scripted, or highly polished language.

Someone close to me had a face to face appointment and was awarded enhanced rate of both. Their carer used the ChatGPT PIP helper tool and advice from CAB. ChatGPT is a tool, it means you can feed it honest information and it formulates it into language the DWP understand. It isn’t cheating (haha to the person that referenced university- PIP forms need to be honest they don’t need academic integrity fgs!).

The carer in question has a professional job and two degrees, the PIP form even with that much help took her hours and hours over three weeks. It is reasonable to assume that those without such an academically minded carer and a disability might struggle themselves.

But unless you’re filling out the form with them you won’t known they may have other conditions you’re not aware of that exacerbate it or by contrast have no evidence. Medicated ADHD makes that harder to prove.There are few descriptors relevant to it and you need to attain 4 points in any one area even before you you reach the minimum threshold. You need robust evidence of support needs at home.

I would have thought they have AI checkers like unis have.

I’m sorry but I don’t think this OP is genuine and is yet another attempt at ND benefit bashing.

No, I am pointing out that some people with ADHD will qualify for PIP and others won't. For example, I have ASD and ADHD. I read the descriptors and think that I don't meet the criteria despite the difficulties my conditions cause. I know people with ADHD who absolutely do meet the criteria.

No you are, listing traits that would qualify for PIP. PIP isn’t given for a diagnosis.Traits vary and the PIP form really doesn’t lend itself to a claim just for ADHD -particularly if medicated.