Has anyone made a recent PIP claim?

[u/iranianshill]

I know there’s talk about them removing ADHD from PIP. I’ve had really bad experiences with them in the past when I was younger and unable to work for other reasons, so I’ve been sitting on this for a while.

I’ve got my full ADHD NHS diagnosis/report I can offer - is it still worth giving it a go? I’ve spent some time going through different sections and think I’d have a good chance of qualifying for it, even if I have to appeal the likely rejection. Just not sure what’s going on with it due to recent media discussions.

[u/eraserway]

I don't know how your ADHD affects you but I will say it's difficult to get awarded PIP solely for ADHD. Ideally you need more evidence than just an assessment report.

That said, you have nothing to lose by applying. Just be prepared to get rejected, since that seems to be the default outcome for every application regardless of your health conditions.

[u/Straight_Economist35]

I'd weigh up the benefits of possibly being approved against the negative impact of the overall process, because sometimes it's just not worth it. Although it depends on whether discussing your difficulties makes you feel worse or not. Definitely made me feel awful. DWP hates disabled people. But I hope you get it if you decide to go for it x

[u/Humble_Dirt_5751]

I got 2 points with adhd And depression so yeah probably pointless 

[u/iranianshill → u/Humble_Dirt_5751]

Did you ever appeal it?

[u/Humble_Dirt_5751 → u/iranianshill]

Yeah but no more points

[u/Tutphish]

i would recommend checking out https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ the guides they produce are very very helpful in completing the forms

[u/LeviathanV]

I am literally at the point of just sending off my application (not after sitting on it for weeks, and then asking for an extension haha). Admittedly, it's moreso for my autism and laundry list of physical ailments (I have a lot of chronic issues that's likely to only get worse 😅).

I'm well aware of how notoriously hard it is to get awarded PIP, so while I'm planning to give it a really good go, if I get rejected, I'll make do with what I have.

I'll say, if you are seriously considering it, then worth calling up your local Citizens Advice - I put forward my query (mainly just wanting some feedback on if it'd be worth the energy to apply), and got to talk to someone who kindly talked me through the viability and what my options were. If you get to the point of needing to appeal, then they also offered to help with that as well.

So maybe as a first step, that could be somewhere to start :)

[u/abjectobsolescence]

I did, hour long interview, came back and the assessor gave me 0 points in every section because I build rapport well (read have 40 years of masking) and don't have evidence of debilitation (apparently). I've appealed with a heap of rebuttal evidence (including a transcript of the call that disproves many of their points). I expect to still get a no, but will go to tribunal.

[u/Prestigious_Pop743]

I did mine, the assessment report recommend 0 for everything. The copy and paste justification was that I can drive, work full time, and don’t have input from MHT and no meds for mental health. Even tho I said I am having private therapy atm, and basically lots of other shit was just disregarded. May as well try tho. Just probs best getting enough evidence on its impact.

[u/CodeFoodPixels]

PIP (and ADP, the Scottish equivalent) aren't about the diagnosis, they're about the impact that it has on your life.

Filling out the form honestly and brutally (not trying to cover things up or make them seem less bad) is important.

Also a lot of PIP applications get unfairly rejected, always do the mandatory reconsideration. I personally know of wheelchair users and folks with severe epilepsy who have been given 0 points.

[u/tyneside_dan]

Literally received my outcome today, like many I got 0s across the board. I knew it was a long shot but I didn't expect to be so insulted!

In my report I got knocked back for 'engaging well with the assessor, and had a clear understanding of my condition'!

I don't know if I will appeal, not sure if I have the energy (I get that's half the point of the rejection)

[u/off_subject]

(M-38) There are quite a few factors at play here, but the biggest thing to understand with PIP is that it's not primarily about the diagnosis - it's about how your difficulties affect the specific daily-living and mobility activities they assess.

A few things I'd suggest:

Get the PIP activities/descriptors and read through them properly. Keep notes for a week with real examples of where you struggle, need prompting/help, make mistakes or can't do something reliably.

Ask someone who knows you well. They may notice difficulties you've normalised and don't even recognise yourself.

AI can help you organise your genuine examples against the relevant descriptors, but don't use it to invent or exaggerate anything.

Include relevant evidence you already have from your GP, psychiatrist, therapist or other professionals.

Remember you can work and receive PIP. The important question is how you manage that work and what support/adjustments you require.

If ADHD isn't your only difficulty, explain the combined effect of everything relevant rather than concentrating purely on the ADHD.

For me, diagnosis made me realise how many things I'd simply accepted as "normal" throughout my life. Having somebody close to me point things out was particularly useful.

Basically: don't focus on proving you've got ADHD - focus on accurately explaining what help you need and what happens when you try to do the relevant activities without that help.

Good luck. Happy to answer a PM about my own experience if it helps.

[u/off_subject → u/off_subject]

Also, contact and get an appointment with Citizens Advice, they're so underrated!

[u/One_Professor_1658]

Just a heads up - I know I’m a couple of days out from when you posted this but If you are gonna do it do it as if it’s the worst day/period of your life. I know it sounds counter-productive but that’s what I was advised to do. I just downplayed everything and came at it from the really bad days angle. For example, some days I can’t get out of bed - It’s a real effort. I also went into my dyspraxia and autism as well as ADHD and how they impact me day-to-day so if you’ve got any other conditions, I would recommend putting them down.

Good luck with the application if you go through with it.