PIP

[sunshine4477]

I claimed pip for my son . On the claim I put learning disabilities and Autism.
The learning difficulties are diagnosed.
After a lot of digging I’ve found out the autism isn’t diagnosed. I found this out by mistake when a doctor mentioned it wasn’t on his records.so I started inquiring why.
I’d put it on the forms as the special school annual review document stated Autism as his main condition and i believed this to be true.
I also remember them saying his autistic.
at the time i had no idea how autism assessment work so did take there word for it.
Think the annual review is connected to the statement special needs which is now called ECHP. So not sure if it’s a legal document.
i would have sent this as evidence.
His needs are still the same,every thing I said regarding support and help he needs are accurate.
I know PIP isn’t based on diagnosis but Am I in trouble?

Are you sure he wasn’t diagnosed and somehow it’s missing from his GP records?

Can you go back to the school and ask for a DSAR?

No I don't think you'll be in trouble. You said that the annual review document stated Autism as his main condition so if you have any problems you could go back to them with a copy of that report as further evidence.

I'd wait to hear from them before doing anything but I can't see how you would be in trouble for that so try not to worry.

I contacted the NHS autism service and have no records of it. Doctors are putting him forward for autism assessment. I’m just shocked it was put in a document without a diagnosis

Yes it’s on the document. The school had to put M for main condition next to it and A for additional next to other conditions
they put M next to autism and A next to learning difficulties.
ive got in touch with the NHS autism service and have no records of him. So GP has put him forward for an assessment.

I’m a welfare rights lawyer. You are not in trouble. There’s no need for formal diagnosis in order to name a condition on the form. In fact, I would advise you to name all conditions, diagnosed or not.

Sometimes the PA4 (Assessor’s report) will mention lack of diagnosis as a reason not to award, but as a point of law that can be challenged in a mandatory reconsideration or at tribunal. You may be asked about diagnosis at assessment. Just be honest. He is awaiting full assessment and he has a working diagnosis as evidenced in the school documentation.

The important thing is that you are honest about how his conditions affect him the majority of the time and can evidence that. Which it sounds like you will have no problem doing.

He's already been awarded. That’s why I’m worried.There was no assessment.

Surely they would only have a record of it if they were the ones to diagnose him and even then, I assume they are only allowed to keep records for a certain number of years.

Have no records of it as in he may never have diagnosed in the first place. Which is so bad if the school have written this without a diagnosis

I did it the other way. Ds has a dx of ASD but not of LD and I say he has both, even though strictly speaking the LD hasn’t been dx.it makes no odds because PIP is awarded based on need not dx

Mad cos I say the LD affects him more. Does have a lot of autistic traits. I only had annual review school document as evidence of autism so may not of even considered the autism.

You’re absolutely fine, if he was awarded on a paper based assessment (without a phone assessment or face to face), that is unusual and means you had very clear evidence of his needs.

There’s no need for you to be worried here.

It was quite a while ago before pip criteria got harder. At the time they said we believe assessment would cos distress. It’s just I only just found out. He should have a review coming up soon.

You won’t get into trouble. Don’t worry.

There will have been an assessment. Some people have a paper-based assessment but it is still an assessment.

It doesn’t really matter for PIP, but also to note learning disability and learning difficulty aren’t the same diagnosis.

Oh I know I think even medical professionals even get it mixed up. I think GP’s have him down as learning difficulties but personally I think it’s more of a learning disability as it affects all areas of his life.
yeah was paper based. Most of the evidence will have had learning difficulties. Only his school report had autism on it.

Do I need to tell Pip ? Or do I just wait till his review and just not mention it till after a autism assessment?

You don’t need to inform anyone. There isn’t even anything to tell at his review as far as this issue is concerned , as nothing has changed.

I'm a benefits caseworker, and completely agree with WaitingforMojo.

Honestly stop panicking. PIP is needs based not diagnostic label based (unless you are claiming under terminal illness, which obviously you are not!) His NEEDS in relation to care and functioning are what are taken into account.
My DS1 has autism (Dx as a small child) and some learning difficulties. Once described as severe..now I'd say mild/moderate depending on what you are asking of him. He doesn't fit any one diagnosis.
His original dx is 20+ years old, and I know for a fact there isn't a record of it now because we moved (RAF family) and they lost his records.
But I describe his needs, and who he is and that is fine.

Thanks that’s helpful. I definitely get the bit where u said it depends what you ask of him, I can relate.

Thanks. That’s reassuring to know.especially having a benefits caseworker and welfare rights lawyer say the same thing.

Do anyone know i was doing pip new form for my dad scan date 15.12.2025 do anyone knows how long it takes thanks everyone for reply and finger cross to all our application xxx

First claims are like 4/5 months and reviews can take up to a year I believe

I also work with people claiming benefits. It's not about the diagnosis but the needs of the person eg: how much support they need & how often.

Ex PIP assessor here.

Don't worry, you are not going to get into trouble!

• You genuinely believed it was a formal diagnosis
• You have the school documents to support this
• As you know, PIP is not awarded based on diagnosis.
• As someone said, lack of formal diagnosis IS sometimes cited in the PA4 but this does tend to be when a number of details provided by the client are very inconsistent. I wouldn't include that if everything is adding up as it clearly is in your son's case.
• I would not bother updating them until asked.

I hope that is reassuring!

I claimed DLA for my son when he hadn't been diagnosed,in fact a year and a half before his diagnosis. I even managed to get middle rate care.