Question about PIP

[Isthisabitweird]

My daughter who receives PIP for her ADD, ASD and social communication difficulties wants to go to university.

She wants to stay in halls part of the week and come home part of the week.

Do I Need to let the DWP know? I work but spend most time it feels prompting her to do things. So in the case of her need reminding for things that will still be happening.

It’s tricky but yes, change of address I’m pretty sure is something you have to tell them, because it’s a change in circumstances.

As a pp said it's a change in circumstances so you will need to notify them.

If she is only there part of the week would her main address not still be the home one? I would have thought it was where she was the majority of the time?

I would maybe check with them

Ok thank you.

Yes you have to report change of circumstances, living away from home part of the week would count as does attending university or getting a job.

That's not true. You must notify hem of a change in circumstances relevant to the application. So moving address must be notified. PIP is not means tested and not based on occupation, so you do not need to tell them that you are attending a university or changing job.

There is a disability assessor on the AMA thread I have posted there fingers crossed she will see it

She can also apply for DSA which is not financial as such but enables her to access relevant support such as a mentor, deadline extensions, equipment and so on. She may also be priority for quieter accommodation or whatever adjustments are appropriate.

It's difficult because it's proving that they need it if they're not at home being cared for and prompted etc.

We didn't bother trying to renew.

It's what they want you to do, give up but many of the descriptors wouldn't have been met.

To be honest I think we had a couple months where she'd left home and then it was time to renew. Few yrs back.

I work in this area and this isn’t something you need to report as a change in circumstances. Only if there has been a change in her condition.

You also don’t know how she will cope. What support she will need in place etc.

her home address will still be your address.

@FatGirlSwim I don’t want to be pessimistic but I can’t see her lasting. She is already talking about can she come home part way through the week. The university is only an hour away so it’s possible. She very much wants to be independent so think halls part week - then home part week is a compromise. I guess that is a need by itself?

We have applied for DSA I have sent all evidence off.

Yes that is a need.

She can still qualify if it does work out. Living away from home doesn’t automatically mean she won’t qualify. I imagine you’ll be giving a lot of remote support.

The only reason you would need to declare this is if her condition has improved significantly to the extent that she needs a lot less care. A change in the way you provide that care isn’t reportable.

You may find that she will be home a LOT. The PIP test is the majority of the time, so if your dd is needing to be at home more days than she is away, that is the majority of the time (over 50% being the legal test) and there has in fact been no change.

Thank you! IF she gets in and that is a big IF I will make the call.

As a tip, if you can avoid a 'change in circumstances' do so as it can mean a whole review of her claim.