Changing From DLA to PIP

[johnworf]

My son will turn 16 in May this year. I'm not sure when I should be applying for PIP for him. Do I need to wait until his DLA runs out in May before I apply?

took about 2 months to hear back. Wasn't quick.

@doppelganger2 thanks 🙂

Good luck contacting DLA. I've never waited less than an hour for them to pick up. It's like I have nothing better to do than to sit around waiting for them to answer their phones.

In reply to the original question, a letter will be sent when the child turns 16. They ask you to complete and return it in a ridiculously short period of time.

My child's DLA award was until age 17, so I was able to extend the period required in which to return the PIP form. You have to call each time, and they will extend by a couple of weeks.

When I did return the form, it took 8 weeks in total to get the decision. We weren't called for a telephone or in person interview.

This was fairly recently to give an idea of time lines.

@hurrylater this is helpful, thank you. My child's award for DLA is also until they turn 17. So can I ring up also and get it extended? Sounds like a nightmare having to ring every two weeks though.

it's doesn't get extended. You have to apply for Pip after they turn 16. The DWP will write to you. But, whilst they assess your Pip claim your DLA money keeps getting paid. It will only stop after they made a decision about your Pip claim.

To be clear I got the time to complete and return the PIP form extended. Not the DLA award.

The PIP letter states you have a couple of weeks to submit the form. If this is not done, they can stop your DLA award.

I was a bit miffed as the DLA was awarded is until my child is 17!

I called up PIP and told them that I couldn't do it in the time requested. I asked for an extension. In fact the letter was received in August and I finally submitted the form in January.

I used the time to get as much evidence as possible to support the claim.

Thankfully it all went well and we got the award at the appropriate rate.

If DLA is in his name you need to become his appointee before the 16th birthday

Just found this thread and it is v helpful as were are going through the same thing. For those who were awarded PIP after DLA- what sort of rates did you get. Were they comparable or are they higher? My child is hoping to stay in education til 18 so not sure if that means anything and it needs reassessed once they are officially out and in the alleged job market?

Hi , when a 16 year old changes from DLA to pip if successful does rates stay the same or are they higher or lower .
thank you

@Caitlyn59 they re assess. You have to fill out yet another big giant form.
Could go either way I'm afraid.
We are currently waiting for our decision letter 😭

Hi,

I work for the PIP side of things and shortly before 16, they/you will receive a letter advising that DLA is coming to an end and that you must apply for PIP.

There’ll be a 38ish page form to fill in, you’ll send this back and they’ll go into the queue to be assessed.

DLA will continue as normal during the wait for PIP assessment, I believe. But if you’re declined for PIP, DLA will stop then.

Be aware that no evidence you’ve sent to DLA in the past will transfer to the PIP system, so you’ll need to find and resubmit it. Likewise, whoever does your PIP assessment will not be able to see previous DLA forms/awards.

You’ll be treated like a new claimant, basically.

Education makes no difference, the switch is done at age 16 regardless of what the individual is doing with school/college/work etc. 😀