Page 5 | How to answer PIP descriptors for a 16-year-old moving from DLA

TheOpalFox · 2026-05-06T19:34:40+00:00

I have a disability and my son has adhd. He’s 16 and moving from dla to pip. I have heard it’s hard for people to get pip from Dla. ? How would u answer the descriptors plz. ? Thanks

TheBlueKoala · 06/05/2026 21:04

TheFairyCaravan · 06/05/2026 21:01

No you don’t. You answer the questions honestly otherwise you’ll flat on yourself your face when it comes to your face to face assessment. And you gather as much evidence to back up your claim as you possibly can.

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Sure, noone ever exaggerates on pip or dla forms. And it's a phonecall to follow up and sometimes not even that. They don't have staff to do face to face meetings.

I have family members (inlaws) who are experts on this.

TheFairyCaravan · 06/05/2026 21:01

TheBlueKoala · 06/05/2026 20:39

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.

No you don’t. You answer the questions honestly otherwise you’ll flat on yourself your face when it comes to your face to face assessment. And you gather as much evidence to back up your claim as you possibly can.

BoobsOnTheMoon · 06/05/2026 20:53

WolfDaysOfMoon · 06/05/2026 20:39

There’s a newsletter online today from the Benefits and Work website about this.

Oooh do you have a link? I can't find it but would really like to read it as their stuff is always excellent and I have the same DLA to PIP thing coming up with my DS.

PurpleLovecats · 06/05/2026 20:47

Don’t do it as your worst day, do an average day. If they call and assess him on the phone (do they do that at his age) he needs to be able to be truthful.

Thecatandme · 06/05/2026 20:46

As a PP said go to CitA or another advice agency who will help you complete the form properly

Alternatively if you want to do it yourself use a guide like this

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

Check how to fill in your claim form

Detailed information on how to fill in your ‘How your disability affects you’ form, including advice for each question and tick box.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 06/05/2026 20:43

TheBlueKoala · 06/05/2026 20:39

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.

PIP and DLA criteria are not the same.

CatRescueNeeded · 06/05/2026 20:43

TheBlueKoala · 06/05/2026 20:39

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.

Sounds about right - and people say there is barely any benefit fraud!

UnbeatenMum · 06/05/2026 20:43

I found this quite useful - I rated DD and got her to rate herself and it gave me an idea of the questions to focus on.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test]]

BeMintFatball · 06/05/2026 20:41

PIP want to know how your son is affected by his disability rather than labeling the disability.
can he carry out the tasks reliably, consistently and safely. Give examples to explain your answer

Original poster

TheOpalFox · 06/05/2026 20:41

Holdonforsummer · 06/05/2026 20:37

Is this for real?

Why.? Course it’s real? Me and my son are both disabled

OP posts:

UnbeatenMum · 06/05/2026 20:40

I've done it for my 16yo and it was fine. I included all her paperwork in case they didn't have it. You need to answer them specific to your child though, my two autistic children are quite different and probably won't get the same rate as each other.

Happyapplesanspears · 06/05/2026 20:40

Contact your local citizen advice bureau and they will tell you who can help locally.

Be aware that though your DS had DLA he may not be eligible for PIP.

WolfDaysOfMoon · 06/05/2026 20:39

There’s a newsletter online today from the Benefits and Work website about this.

TheBlueKoala · 06/05/2026 20:39

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.

PurpleLovecats · 06/05/2026 20:38

Tell them exactly what he struggles with in as much detail as possible.

eg does he need help in the kitchen, can he cook unsupervised, does he need somebody en ensure he turns everything off etc etc.

Give copies of every assessment you have, details of meds, things like that.

I got mine first time for MH with only a paper assessment thankfully as my anxiety would be horrendous if I had to do face to face.

Holdonforsummer · 06/05/2026 20:37

Is this for real?

Overthebow · 06/05/2026 20:36

Does he meet the criteria for the descriptors?

Legolaslady · 06/05/2026 20:35

Honestly