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

[TheOpalFox]

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

Yes? Are you implying that it’s ok for the DWP to use AI as a tool but not the disabled?

it is often AI talking to AI and that’s actually fine. (Well TBH I’d prefer a more human experience but the DWP aren’t offering that so…)

I think there is a danger of AI being misused.

Either way any applicant needs to be honest and have robust evidence. It is a ball ache filling it out but honesty and evidence are crucial.

If people want to lie they don’t need to use AI to do it.

the DWP approach of just asking for more and more written evidence may put off a % of chancers but it also puts off a % of genuinely disabled people.

Honest people should use all the tools at their disposal to make a horrible process a bit simpler.

Definitely do not do this. Poor advice.
Be honest about how his ADHD affects him, Be aware though that if ADHD is his only diagnosis he may not get PIP unless there are other issues like a learning disability,

@TheOpalFox , one would think honestly is the only possible answer to your question.

Yes. Understanding how to use language that the DWP understands, honestly, is another thing though.

Your DD’s EHCP is, frankly, rubbish and not worth the paper it is written on if it doesn’t cover needs arising from her ADHD. It should cover all needs and provision required. You don’t have to accept such rubbish.

EHCPs should also cover PfA provision, which covers the activities covered by PIP.

It isn’t correct to say someone with ADHD alone won’t be eligible. Not everyone with ADHD alone will be eligible for PIP, but some will be. It is about functional ability, not diagnosis.

It is also untrue to say OP’s DS probably doesn’t need it and will have zero evidence just because OP is asking. OP says she has learning difficulties. OP has also just secured an independent specialist post 16 placement for DS so there will be evidence.

No, you don’t get a back payment if the award is increased. Equally though, there isn’t an overpayment if the award is reduced/stopped.

Are you not aware of the situation of overwhelm with EHCPs and how many are rushed through? My DD’s was done by somebody brought out of retirement and is not rubbish at all, she has had fanatastic provision. The fact is they vary hugely. My DD’s EHCP listed all her difficulties within school but even though severe her ADHD difficulties wouldn’t have been enough alone to hit points needed in the PIP descriptors.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

I don't know where you get the idea that medication reduces support needs, It changes needs but it doesn't remove them.

I’d love to know how you can reach the points needed for PIP when medication alleviates many of the symptoms of ADHD for the vast majority of the day!

I am more than aware how poor some EHCPs are, which is why I said you don’t have to accept poor EHCPs. You can challenge LA decisions.

Many are not ‘rushed through’. While it happens it isn’t common for EHCPs to be finalised before the 20 weeks timescale. And a not insignificant proportion are not finalised within the timescale/LAs unlawfully breach the deadline.

If “there was nothing in the EHCP to evidence how massively it impacts her life outside of school or the level of support she needs for all her disabilities at home.” “and there is very little detail in her EHCP re impact” then the EHCP is rubbish. Being done by someone coming out of retirement means absolutely nothing about the quality of EHCP. Sadly, many don’t realise their EHCP is poor.

Medicating ADHD reduces support needs hugely and yes some may be eligible for PIP with an ADHD diagnosis alone but unlikely particularly if medicated and with no evidence of need either by treatments or support.

This is the case for some, but not all. For some, medication does not reduce support needs ‘hugely’. I don’t know why you insist there is ‘no evidence of need by either treatments or support’. OP’s DS has an EHCP. That is evidence of a level of need, especially considering she has just secured an independent specialist post 16 placement.

Why would you be on medication if it didn’t have a big impact on life?

It does for some people, but it doesn’t for all.

For example, I have helped someone with ADHD alone apply for PIP. They scored 1E, 3B, 4C, 6C, 9C, 10B. So got enhanced daily living. They also scored 12 points on the planning and following a journey activity, so got enhanced mobility too.

If she has secured an independent specialist post 16 placement there will be additional needs to ADHD.

Just because it doesn’t have a big impact on life doesn’t mean it doesn’t help at all. Smaller effects can still be beneficial.

Not necessarily. I have secured independent post 16 placements for YP with ‘only’ ADHD. EHCPs are needs led, not diagnosis based.

Thus reducing the likelihood of hitting points needed for PIP descriptors.

It may reduce the number of points, although not always, but for some it is still possible to be eligible even if medication has small benefits.

Unlikely if ADHD is the only condition they’re applying for PIP with and they’re having no other treatments, hospitalisations or documented support.

As I said, some won’t be eligible if the only difficulties arise from ADHD, but some are. I have even explained to you how it is possible someone with ‘only’ ADHD can accumulate enough points by giving you a real example of someone I helped claim.

OP’s DS has an EHCP, there is evidence of support. I don’t know why you keep saying there isn’t.

How much more robust can the evidence be than a legal document signed by a specialist says someone is blind coupled with reports from a hospital occupational therapist on what day to day tasks someone can perform backed up by reports from the local council visual impairment team?

Can you see use by dates or spoilage on food - no
Can you read bus numbers, maps and signage unaided - no
Can you see if your clothes are damaged or dirty - no
etc.

The evidence was robust but they still required face to face.

He was granted higher rate PIP for both categories with no review for 10 years.

We don’t know if he has other SENs and how he can prove medication isn’t helping enough to still qualify. He sees nobody.

It doesn’t matter if he has other SEN or not.

Neither does it matter if he doesn’t see medical professionals. OP can use the EHCP, including the evidence listed in K, as evidence. She can use any other older evidence. She can use evidence from the current setting. If DS receives transport, as many with EHCPs do, she can use evidence of that.

The system clearly needs overhauling if somebody blind has to go through face to face and somebody with medicated ADHD and no other disabilities can apparantly easily qualify.

My honesty and naivety is probably at play here. I assume everybody is as honest and provides as must robust evidence as we did.

I can see why they’re bringing in changes.