Claiming PIP with no diagnosis

[Maybeshesbornwithitmaybeitssertraline]

I have been claiming Dla for ds3 since he was 11, using the referral form for his autism and adhd assessment as evidence and his sanction report from school. He gets middle rate care, low rate mobility. Now he is 15, nearly 16 and I have been asked to apply for PIP for him.

We still don't have an assessment date for him over 3 years later. I'm worried he is going to lose his dla and the disability element of universal credit.

?? You can claim PIP and work.

op hasn't said she intends for him to never work but he's 16. do you expect every 16 year old to go out and support themselves? do you think the additional costs associated with having a disabled child will just disappear when he's 16? or the care op provides will suddenly not be needed?

What the actual fuck? You don’t know anything about PIP, autism or how long it takes to get a diagnosis.

PIP isn't enough to live on.
It wouldn't be a "life on benefits".

Can you not work? The criteria for pip isn’t exactly the same and concentrates on extra help they need, he may still qualify but may not

I claim pip and work. Pip isn't an out of work benefit

16 year olds aren’t expected to be in work, they’re expected to be in training or education.

op a diagnosis is not required but you will need written evidence.

It’s quite common to claim while waiting for a diagnosis. PIP is always a bit of a lottery but claim and make sure you tell them you have been on the waiting list 3 years in the “other information” section. Is your GP onside?

You don't need a diagnosis but you do need lots of evidence pip is very hard to get and you need evidence to back up everything you're saying

Have you not got more up to date evidence than from when he was 11?

I'm shocked that DLA is awarded for so long based on such evidence tbh.

I claim PIP and I work.

I’m even a higher rate tax payer.

Usually if there is no diagnosis they contact the school / doctors / others involved in the child’s care to gather evidence. My ds now aged 14 was given high rate dla from 3 when he was referred to the autism diagnostic pathway. He was diagnosed aged 5 but his dla award was based on nursery evidence and evidence from our GP and the speech and language therapist. It isn’t like there’s no evidence because there’s no diagnosis. Dla is based on care needs, not diagnosis.

PIP is based on needs, not diagnosis. You don’t need a diagnosis, and a diagnosis wouldn’t automatically mean DS qualified. What you need is evidence. Spend the time between now and when DS turns 16 (which is when DS or his appointee if he will have one will be invited to start to claim PIP) getting evidence together.

where does op say she doesn't work? DLA or pip isn't a replacement wage for non working parent carers. that's what the vast lumps of cash you get from carers allowance is 🙄

You don't need a diagnosis and you don't actually need much in the way of evidence. You just need the stamina to keep going all the way to tribunal if necessary. In case you haven't heard of them the Benefits and Work members -only guides on claiming PIP are worth every penny.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Vast lumps of cash? Sorry, wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic or not.

Has he still not been assessed in those 4 years? Why haven't you done right to choose?

It is very dependent on area. In Norfolk the right to choose providers have stopped taking new referrals. Parents are being told they now face waits of up to 6 years.

Pip is very different to dla (sorry if you know that and I'm preaching to the converted). It's worth looking through the form and seeing which parts you think he might qualify for and how you could evidence it. Can school write anything? Is he under anyone at all? (Many autistic children are not, which makes getting evidence very challenging since they have the needs but don't necessarily get any outside support). You could try keeping a diary of how you support him each day. Family members or someone who knows you well can write a support statement.

PIP contributes to the additional costs of working with a disability.

A big chunk of mine goes on support & transport to do my job.

Without PIP I would be out of work & on benefits

Same. It also makes it much easier to access said support. And easier to get reasonable adjustments in work.

Oh for fucks sake. Of course there are jobs he can do, when he’s an adult. But for now, he’s a child and needs additional support which his family can access and pay for with his DLA/PIP. PIP is not means tested, and you can claim it whilst working. Why do you think this is setting him up “for a lifetime of benefits and mental health problems”? it’s the opposite. The level of ignorance and prejudice in this is staggering.

You can work and get PIP.