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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

DLA/PIP/Appointee advice please

78 replies

Gymbob · 02/06/2014 19:10

I am re-posting here hoping to get some replies......Grin

DD turns 16 later in the year and I've been sent the form that will decide the PIP she will get instead of DLA. At present we get lower and middle rate, which amounts to about £320 per month.

My question is, has anyone been through this process yet, and has anyone applied to be an appointee? It all looks quite scary. My DD is not good at managing money. The DLA has always gone towards paying for her expensive hobbies and transporting her around etc, but now as she will be 16 the payments will go direct to her, unless I have a good reason as to why they can't. I will have to attend an interview to explain the reasons why she shouldn't have the money. I know it will be reduced using the new PIP, but don't know by how much.

I have had to broach the subject with her and she says she wants the money! She says I can put it into a special account if I want for her to have when she turns 18. I've told her we can't afford her hobbies without the money, but she is adamant.

I feel in a vulnerable position. I may have to end the hobbies if she insists we pay rather than her PIP. Of course she doesn't fully understand - she has special needs - but I'm told that she would need to have further special needs to not be awarded the money directly.

HELP!

OP posts:
goughbug · 16/01/2019 15:55

Thanks so much for the advice you've put on hear for appointee meeting, we've had our son's today, nothing like I thought it would be after dealing with my wife's pip 4 years ago, I'm now laughing at how stressed I got for very little, Jackie the representative was very helpful and not at all condescending like we've had before. Thanks again streakybacon

April2020mom · 23/01/2019 00:07

I also applied for DLA last summer. Since DS and DD both have congenital impairments I skillfully described the impact on our day to day life. Our claim was for physical disability. We use DLA for travel expenses and to cover additional costs of therapy and equipment.

LostMumma212 · 21/06/2025 18:46

streakybacon · 12/08/2014 11:32

Yes, the claimant has to re-apply at 16, though it's not immediate as they're changing the system from DLA to PIP and it's being rolled out slowly, a few postcodes at a time. DLA will continue to be paid (though into their account, not yours) until a decision has been made about eligibility for PIP, but you/they will have to make a fresh claim when the time comes. It might not be for a few months yet - it will depend on how far ahead DWP gets with the changeover.

Unfortunately adult DLA and PIP are a lot different from the children's claim forms, so you may not be able to cut and paste much. It's very much from an adult perspective - which is why I'm so narked that the moment they turn sixteen they're considered in the same way as someone in their 50s - it just doesn't make sense, especially for young people with developmental disorders Sad.

I have a copy of the form somewhere if you want me to send it to you.

Sorry to ask, could you send me a copy of your form? I am lost!

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