PIP

[fizzypop100]

DS has been receiving DLA, high rate for ADHD, since he was 7.
I am terrified of the PIP process and that he won't qualify. We have to apply in a few months.

Be his appointee.

Use the CAB website PIP guides

and the Benefits and Work PIP guides for which you have to join, costs a one-off fee of under £20.

Follow the advice closely, it's important to provide as much evidence as you can. Start building your case now, start a diary and then you can present a 'typical week' or so for your evidence.

If he cannot do something reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner, you need to explain why he cannot do that in detail.

Some people just sail through it and others have to go to Tribunal, if you are initially refused, and loads are, keep appealing.
Good Luck!

Thank you that's brilliant. I'm signing up now

I second the Benefits and Work website, got us through it without having to appeal.

As well as the guides already mentioned this one is helpful.

Remember always to describe the worst case scenario. How he reacts/ performs on his worst day, when things aren't going well. You will need to explain that to him if there's going to be a F2f assessment. You can go in with him, my dh always comes with me.

The form is a bitch, really demoralising!

I didn't do a worst day scenario for Ds's. Although Ds's difficulties are every day, they don't change. I was just honest and explained in detail what he can and can't do. And what he needs support to do. He had never been in receipt of DLA as we didn't think he would be entitled to it.

Ds's was reasonably straightforward. Which is totally different to our experiences with both healthcare and education.

I used online advice from citizens advice and also from some helpful posters on Mumsnet.

We had a health professional fill in some extra information on the form and when the assessor wanted additional information they phoned the HCP, not us. So Ds was not assessed over the phone or face to face. Could be an option if you have a HCP, that was willing to contribute?

It took 8 months from start to finish. But Ds was awarded enhanced mobility and enhanced daily living, although only until 2023.

Similarly we didn't do a worst day because the needs are the same all the time for DS. He had a phone assessment because of Covid but I did most of the talking as his appointee. What I did do was emphasise that he needs assistance with whatever on EVERY occasion. And spent some time beforehand making notes about all the things we continue to do for him without even thinking about it but that he should be able to do at his age.

Don’t make out every day is the worst day if that’s not the case. If you do that and are called for a F2F assessment on what turns out to be a better day and e.g. you have written you can’t walk more than 20m but on the day you do it undermines everything you have written.

Don’t make out every day is the worst day if that’s not the case

Absolutely agree with this.

Tell the truth. If you don't, there's no way of sugarcoating it, it's fraud.

Applying for PIP isn't a walk in the park, but it's important to be truthful. The assessors aren't stupid and if you're found out, you'll lose the PIP and maybe other benefits too. DD had indefinite DLA but we had to go to Tribunal for PIP.

DD's needs can be variable so I outlined that. Ditto at the BB application as its renewal fell before PIP Tribunal. Despite having a BB for many years, the new rules say you need enhanced PIP mobility to qualify. The BB assessor scored her walking ability as less than the ATOS PIP assessor had done, so BB renewal went ahead.

We went to Tribunal (added the BB assessor's documents to our bundle) and DD was awarded enhanced rate for both components with 'it is inappropriate to fix a term' wording which means a light review in 10 years' time. The Judge also said the panel each independently thought that DD should have been awarded the same solely on the evidence I'd submitted initially and it should never have been reconsidered or a Tribunal held and he said if DWP had bothered to attend Tribunal he would have made them apologise to us.

Basically, don't give up, you may be lucky and have a straightforward decision, you may have to go to Tribunal as I did, but do be stoic and plod on if you need to. If the whole system feels as though it's too difficult to carry on, ignore that and keep going