PIP - is it worth applying in my situation? 3 April 2022 at 12:57PM in Disability money matters 6 replies 483 views

[Deleted User]

The reason I am asking is because a family worker asked if I am receiving it.

My teenage daughter started struggling with mental health issues from Y7.
Fast forward to now, she is nearly 15 and struggling with OCD, anorexia, depression, high levels of anxiety. She has ups and downs, very low attendance to school (which have been supportive), going through a EHC assessment. She is number 4 on CAMHS waiting list for treatment but to be honest, when she joined the waiting list she was not experiencing the eating disorder she is going through now. She is refusing to see the GP.
The reason I am considering PIP is because once she starts psychological interventions I will have to take time off work to take her to the hospital - that I assume will be granted leave without pay - and also I will have to take an Uber as she struggles with public transport. I don't drive, And I am on low income - solo parent.

Any advice?

pmlindyloo

PIP is not the correct benefit as you need to be over 16 to receive this.

The correct benefit is DLA (Disability Living Allowance)

There is a useful guide here that you can use.

Disability Living Allowance for children - Citizens Advice

[Deleted User]

pmlindyloo said:

PIP is not the correct benefit as you need to be over 16 to receive this.

The correct benefit is DLA (Disability Living Allowance)

There is a useful guide here that you can use.

Disability Living Allowance for children - Citizens Advice

Thank you. I will have a look now.

Alice_Holt

Yes, do apply for DLA for your daughter.

But do some research on DLA criteria first.

Start by keeping a diary, and collating examples / illustrations of the care needed by your daughter, that can then be quoted on the form. 
Also, try to get evidence from school, health care professionals, other family members to show that your child needs greater attention / help / encouragement / supervision than other children of the same age.

https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-credits/disability-living-allowance/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/disability-living-allowance-dla/

Your local advice agency may be able to help with the form.

theoretica

Is it easier to get adult benefits if you have been receiving them as a child?  I don't know, but I imagine it might be useful evidence or at least familiarity with the system and so worth going through this now in case it might  help in future too.

MrsBrooks13

I believe if you are successful in getting medium or higher rate DLA for your daughter, you may also apply for Carer’s Allowance if YOUR weekly earned income falls below £128 (£132 from 11/04/2022) and your care for your daughter exceeds 35 hours a week,

But if you or your daughter claim other benefits, check whether this may also affect those as I understand there can be a cross over for some. 

if you apply for DLA, ring them and ask for the firm as any claim will be backdated to the date of  the phone call, not the date you submit the completed form. Use the intervening period to get your evidence together such as what AliceHolt suggested. 

[Deleted User]

MrsBrooks13 said:

I believe if you are successful in getting medium or higher rate DLA for your daughter, you may also apply for Carer’s Allowance if YOUR weekly earned income falls below £128 (£132 from 11/04/2022) and your care for your daughter exceeds 35 hours a week,

But if you or your daughter claim other benefits, check whether this may also affect those as I understand there can be a cross over for some. 

if you apply for DLA, ring them and ask for the firm as any claim will be backdated to the date of  the phone call, not the date you submit the completed form. Use the intervening period to get your evidence together such as what AliceHolt suggested. 

Thank you. Called this morning and asked for the form. By the time it gets here and I complete it, Easter holidays will be over so someone from her school can also provide their evidence. I have reports and assessments from social workers and psychologists so I will photocopy those too and enclose. Also trying to find a way to take her to the GP so I can get some help from them too. 

Thanks everyone.