Should I claim for PIP?

[Violet22]

So my son has just turned 16 and was getting DLA. He has an EHCP for difficulties such as visual processing, audio processing, motor planning, social communication. He has no diagnosis of autism but could be at the mild end of the spectrum, or possibly dyspraxic but again no diagnosis. I am not sure whether to apply for PIP, for the reason that he is likely to be able to hold down a job. He will find it difficult as he speaks very quietly, and doesn't make eye contact, and often needs instructions repeated, he also finds socialising difficult. Academically he should get 4s and 5s hopefully in GCSES. He can go out independently and travels to school and back independently so I don't know if he would qualify. We are currently using his DLA to pay for an English tutor as he needs extra help, and to pay for a computer based thing which is supposed to build confidence and help socially. I would eventually like to get him some communication training in projecting his voice and social skills work and so would use extra money for that, just focusing on GCSEs at the moment.

PIP isn’t an out of work benefit. You can work and be eligible for PIP.

PIP is based on functional difficulties, not diagnosis.

You might as well apply. Even if it is for the simple reason DLA continues to be paid while a decision is made, but, from your posts, it sounds like DS may be eligible.

For the travelling, what about unfamiliar journeys? What if something goes wrong? What if a road is closed, the bus/train is cancelled? Train platform change announcements (particularly with DS’s audio processing difficulties)? Can DS buy a ticket? Can DS ask for (including from people he doesn’t know), remember and follow verbal directions? Written directions and maps? Can he use a timetable and read/understand signs? If he got lost, what would he do? Is he vulnerable to being taken advantage of? Do his social communication difficulties mean he might get into trouble/be misunderstood/be impulsive/display risky behaviour? Do his visual processing and motor planning difficulties make crossing the road difficult? There is so much more to the criteria than many realise.

Claimants can only be considered to do something if they can do it reliably; that is safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time. So someone may be able to do something but not be able to do it for PIP purposes.

Yes some good points. He is very good on trains and buses as he studies and knows all the routes. Can use timetables and read signs, however the couple of times he has got lost or got on wrong bus he has rung me , I am not sure he would be able to ask clearly someone unfamiliar.His social communication difficulties did mean he was misunderstood at school which did then lead to risky behaviour and landing him in trouble. We ended up moving school because of such and it has been better. As I write I am seeing again some of his struggles, you are right I should apply.