PIP Guides

Why might it be of interest?
When our young people turn 16, if they are already in receipt of DLA, they could be invited to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This could happen before they turn 16, in preparation for turning 16, or at anytime after turning 16 up to the date their DLA award ends. If the young person has an indefinite DLA award they will still be invited to apply for PIP at some point.

This is not an invitation – if you don’t apply for PIP by the date on the letter your DLA will stop.  You must return the form by the date specified and if you can’t manage that you must call the PIP helpline and ask for an extension.

The PIP application is very different from what you will be used to with DLA applications.  You must still complete the form comprehensively and provide all the evidence you can.  The focus with the PIP form is a number of daily living activities and how your disability affects your ability to carry each one out.

Benefits and Work:  https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

We refer to the B&W website very often as their advice and guides are excellent.  This one is long – over 140 pages – but it talks you through each question and gives examples of how you might answer.  It reminds you throughout of key things you should keep in mind when answering each question.  It is very thorough and I’d recommend you start reading bit by bit – do not try to take in the whole thing at once!

You can subscribe yourself to get access to all the B&W guides although they have quite a lot of information freely available on their website and we have a copy of an older version.

Citizens Advice:  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

Some excellent advice taken question by question as well as a YouTube video.  It explains exactly what each question is asking you and the things you should be considering about your ability to carry out the activity.

Mental Health and Money Advice:  https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/

This site shows the PIP descriptors and points alongside the questions, along with generally good advice and written in plain english with hints and tips about things to consider.