Applying for PIP - question about evidence

[KeepOnCleaning]

I wasn't sure the best place to ask this but hoping to get helpful responses.
I'm applying for PIP as an appointee on behalf of DD16. She currently receives DLA HRC LRM. I have already completed the initial form saying to use evidence from DLA forms so that covers all earlier years assessments, etc.

As she's plodded along for a few years at school we haven't had any recent assessments. We have her annual EHCP, most recent version from March 25. I believe she should be entitled to high rate living and high rate mobility. Her EHCP backs up all my responses on the PIP form. Does anyone have recent experience of whether or not this is enough evidence for a PIP award? Any ideas of what else to attach if this is the main updated official document since her last DLA award (excluding standard doctor letters about ADHD medication)? Is it with attaching evidence of receiving the nimbus access card? Any other ideas?

My daughter was turned down even though we had 23 reports (including ehc), many of them recent. We appealed and it was granted on mandatory reconsideration. So send in what you have, then if you arevturned down or don't get what you think is right, ask them for a copy of the assessment report and then when you appeal you can see any gaps.

It worries me hearing that. Does her EHCP directly backup the things you stated she has difficulties with? How old was she at the time, and did you have DLA beforehand and so all of the documentation from that as well? Did you provide additional evidence on review, or did you ask them for the report so that you could refute it?

When I applied as appointee for DS I sent his EHCP and a few letters from CAMHS as evidence. It was very straightforward and he was awarded enhanced rate care and standard rate mobility (personally I feel it should be higher rate mobility but I didn’t challenge it). They didn’t need to see or speak to him, just a ten minute phone call with me. He previously got DLA (HRC and LRM).

For mobility I attached blue badges (plural) and wheelchair requests for assistance on trains and planes. I also had work documents for fire evacuation plans. Her school may have one of those or it may be in the EHCP.

My daughter was turned down because no one looked at the reports. They based it all on her face to face interview. And she is pretty and chatty, so the assessor decided that she must be able to do all the various activities too.

I had tried to alert them to the fact that she would come over well in an interview but they ignored me.

They wrote to our GP and he wrote "not as able as she seems" on the paperwork but this was late in.

But I guess my blistering letter, where I explained how the assessor had completely misunderstood, plus this letter from the GP and all the reports together meant they overturned it at mandatory reconsideration.

We had loads of evidence. She had an autism diagnosis, a speech and language disorder, she attended a special needs school, was going to special needs college, had an ehc plan, had been on dla for years.

So all I can suggest is that you send in what you can and see what happens.

When my DS moved from DLA to PIP, I sent in all the old evidence from his DLA assessments and didn't expect them to be able to access the old evidence from his DLA forms. We also had new reports from his specialist school, from the OT, SALT, ed psych, psychiatrist and social worker. I also typed up detailed answers in the form (using Benefits and Work guides). We got PIP at enhanced rate daily living and mobility without any appeal, with no reassessment for 10 years.

Add a diary so they can see where the problems are.

Could school write a supporting letter? Or anyone else?

The only CAMHS letters I have are from the psychiatrist regarding medication appointments. No actual reviews so I'm not sure they add anything.

Thanks but my DD doesn't have physical mobility issues. Her mobility issues are around anxiety and being unable to travel alone. I do have evidence for this (mentioned in her EHCP, talked about in Preparing for adulthood report, and emails regarding her access card). Not sure if they will accept this if there are no physical disabilities affecting mobility.

She is unable to talk to people she doesn't know, so if she has to be interviewed, she would be mute. Again, it's mentioned in all her EHCP and very old assessments that she isn't able to talk to people she doesn't know. That's partly why I'm her appointee.

She's in a new post-16 setting. I could ask the SENCO from her old school but not sure if they'll be willing now that she no longer attends. I've considered asking but weighing up what I have first.

My daughter can talk if I'm there - that's why she came across fine at the interview. It was catch 22 because I was her appointee and had to be there.

But now I do all the renewals, which are on the phone. They don't speak to her at all. You might get a phone or zoom call and ask if you can speak on her behalf.

I don’t have experience applying on behalf of a child. I helped a relative with her PIP application which was approved about seven months ago and can share what worked for her.
Most of the assessor’s evidence gathering happened over the phone after the form submission, and what was written seemed to guide the conversation. The detail given on the form gave her more chance to explain how her condition affected her, according to the PIP descriptors.
When answering the questions on the form, we tried to link everything to the descriptors and explain it step by step, as if describing it to someone who knew nothing about her situation. We broke things down into small actions - for example, instead of saying “I struggle to shower safely” we described each step - from having to hold onto furniture to anxiety over stepping into the shower without a rail, then having a stool in there because she was unsteady in the shower. We described how she managed (or didn't) by not being able to bend down or reach up to wash, how she exited the shower and so on, and how long it took her. We sent lots of photos of aids she uses - even improvised ones. She also kept a voice diary over 4 weeks which was then transcribed and we linked this to the specific descriptors.

We found the key was to be thorough and show exactly how the condition affected day-to-day tasks - written evidence plus detailed explanations with photos and the diary seemed to make a strong case.
We also requested the interview phone call be recorded.

For my pip my evidence was screenshots of purchases made from Amazon for things like shower chair, CBD gel to help with pain, even copies of my deliveroo/Just Eat/weekly shopping showing I buy ready made meals & takeaways as I can’t stand long to cook or lack dexterity in my hands to hold things these days. Even copies of my recent MOT’s in my car showing the very minimal change in mileage as I become more and more housebound. You really need to sometimes think outside the box and all in all I sent in 100 pages of evidence

I think it's all pot luck tbh. My 3 all had fairly recent reports when I applied. I sent in their EHCPs, any letters, school reviews, etc. They all got Enhanced for both rates without a face to face assessment because they had enough evidence. Other people are turned down flat. It just depends who makes the decision.

I do this job. Just to make you aware, any child DLA evidence/award/appeal info will not be available to the PIP assessor on the day.

I don’t know the reasons behind it, but it’s not passed over. Once the DLA claim is over (ie, at age 16), you’re on a fresh new claim for PIP.

Send all relevant evidence again, or the recommendations will be made based on the new application only (plus the assessor’s impressions at interview etc).

They specifically ask if you want the child DLA evidence to be taken into account. I said yes, then they wrote to me to say they couldn't find it.

Was that for a child DLA to adult PIP transition?

I have no idea why they asked you that question as it’s never, ever made available to us. The onus is on the claimant (or their parent, usually) to have kept copies and sent them in again.

Same goes for people who appeal after being rejected for PIP. All we see is that they were turned down in the last assessment - no information on what happened at tribunal, what award they were given etc.

@PIPnamechanged yes. They asked if I wanted them to use it. Then they wrote and said they couldn't find it, so did I want to add any other evidence instead.

Can you have PIP while she's at college?

I also ticked the box saying to use DLA documents, so this is useful to know. In that case would I also be attaching reports and assessments from 7/8 years old when she got most of her diagnoses?

Why would she not be able to? They have to legally be in education at this age.

Mine did. And is also getting it at uni. We also tried to cancel UC and they said to keep her on it!