To ask about your PIP?

[seekinglondonlife]

In the process of applying for PIP for DS. We have lots of evidence, so hopeful we will get it (he has has HRC DLA from 3 months old). Ds ATTENDS mainstream on a very reduced timetable with a FT assistant. Due to his ASD and anxiety I don't anticipate he will ever be able to work, unless it is a specialist supportive post for a few hours per week (he needs supervision for everything really, can't be alone).
When he leaves school I'm going to have to give up work as he can't manage himself, go out alone etc. Ideally I would have liked him to do some online learning courses, such as OU (and he is keen too) to give him a sense of purpose/achievement. I'm wondering though if this would be seen as something 'positive' and they might try to remove points for his PIP?
Would be really interested to hear what experiences of getting PIP and volunteering/studying have been like. I'm assuming he will get ESA too so again any experience/advice welcome.

Mental health always has to be the priority. Education and exams can always come later if that is what he wants or is necessary. It’s just that the alternative provision can be things to help DS with his mental health or to work with his hobbies. Many people don’t realise the EHCP can cover things like therapies without the need to go through the normal NHS channels. For example, if DS enjoys gaming there is Mindjam or if he likes animals animal assisted therapies. It can also include materials for hobbies e.g. if DS enjoys art it can include art material. Many also don’t realise it can cover a TA/mentor/PA if the child isn’t accessing full time school so their parents don’t have to give up work.

@KathieFerrars, no, no SS assessment. What could they do? I must admit I feel a bit lost as to what is available. We used to have a disability SW but then due to cuts we got discharged.

You should look into direct payments so that your son can have a PA to help, you’d need to approach social services and ask for an assessment.

There are no new applications for ESA but he would be able to apply for Universal credit in his own name if you’re not getting child tax credits for him.

I know of a couple of people whose autistic children are attending university and get PIP so it’s definitely possible.

@seekinglondonlife Just as Twobluefish says, you need to apply to SS for direct payments. I knew nothing about it at all but it was very useful.

With an EHCP when DC aren’t attending school/college full time it is possible to get a PA/TA/mentor via education rather than, or as well as, via social care. This way it is in section F of the EHCP rather than H, so it is enforceable and appealable and often more than what you can secure via social care, also it may not be relevant to you now or ever but isn’t subject to financial assessment.

Has DS had an OT assessment and PfA input?

I’ve not dealt with the situation where someone has an appointee, only where there is a carer.

Does the DWP expect to be informed about the appointee in advance or can this be stated at the interview?

Dh became Ds's appointee when he made the initial call to apply. Ds can't really talk on the phone.

The DWP advisor said at the time, that pre Covid, it would have involved a home visit to confirm and check the situation. As there can be concerns about vulnerable people being taken advantage of. But they were happy to sign off Dh as appointee for Ds, with just an explanation of the situation, over the phone.

I'm presuming it would need to be done before an assessment.

Thanks for the information, I've never heard of direct payments so will look into it. I wasn't fully aware of things ds should be entitled to via the EHCP, I think now the SENCO is just happy to have him in as little as possible so that his FT assistant can be used elsewhere. I'm annoyed at myself now, but need to channel that energy into his post 18 provision.
Thanks again.

Universalaunt DWP would know about the appointee as it is them that agree to make someone appointee. You would need to ask to become appointee before the day of the PIP assessment.

I applied for PIP for my DD when she was 16, she had not long been awarded DLA (lowest levels) and we were told not to expect to be successful because she 'only' had ASD, mild learning difficulties and anxiety (she has since been diagnosed with other conditions too). With the help of a charity, we got awarded Enhanced Care and Mobility PIP.

If a 16 or 17 year old gets awarded PIP you can also apply for Universal Credit for them (usually have to be 18) and apply for a workplace assessment in relation to capability to work. They can be awarded the lower level Limited Capability for Work or the higher Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity. My DD got awarded the higher level. Due to getting the Enhanced level PIP mobility she was able to get a Motability Scheme car and she was given a grant for 40 hours of driving lessons.

Through all this my DD was full-time in mainstream college (with an EHCP but no 1-1 support), she has subsequently left college as they treated her so s**t and she is now working in the career of her choice and will be doing an apprenticeship. Studying or even working (working started for us after getting Universal Credit) didn't prevent or stop the benefits and they help my DD to gain some independence and learn some financial responsibility.

My DD requested I act as her Appointee, the money could go into an account I control but we have always chosen to let her have the money. The best thing I ever did was take out membership of a charity called Fightback4Justice (costs £11.99 a month). They have model completed forms for all different conditions to help you, they can review applications, write them for you if needed and will help you prepare for any assessments you have to attend. They support appeals and Tribunals and are very successful. They have made the whole process far less stressful for us.

madcatwoman the rules for claiming UC for disabled young people in education have recently changed and it is now harder to claim, see the Contact links I posted.

I applied for p.i.p back in May have lymphadema heart troubles hernia,I today got my phone assessment which to be honest I was dissapointed
In.he never really asked how my condition affects me,just asked what could I do food wise.said stumble to kitchen manage piece of toast and a brew.said needed help getting in and out of shower,tried to tell him I've just been diagnosed with artial fibulation and got a clot in my leg didn't seem interested. Maybe I'm looking into it too much as they don't give nothing away but now worried.