PIP For Autism (Everything You Need to Know)
By
PsychReel
In this brief guide, we will look at PIP for Autism, and everything one needs to know about how to claim PIP for autism for adults as well as children.
PIP For Autism
PIP for autism is meant to provide the caregivers of those with autism as well as the individuals suffering from autism some relief from being crushed under the heavy finances of managing this disability for life.
Autism is a lifelong disability which can be managed but the chances of it needing constant help and support are high, and as such it is important that the individual is provided some benefits and the caregivers don’t have to split their focus between taking care of the person and being able to pay their bills on time.
PIP for autism allows people to receive the kind of benefits they need for the daily living costs and mobility and other aspects of their life, which is very significant considering the regular care that someone with autism may often need.
However, there are problems in the process of PIP for autism, there is no doubt about that, and according to a lot of people who have tried to make this claim for someone in their life, they have been harassed by the process so much that some of them feel they were better off without the possibility of the benefits.
The problem with the current situation of PIP for autism is that once the person makes the claim, there is an assessment, and because these assessments were initially built up mostly for physical disabilities which can be seen and checked out, there are barely any provisions for checking the inner workings of someone with Autism.
Autism as a condition involves problems with social interaction and communication, which means that there are “hidden” features of the problem that may not present itself for assessment right away, which creates a challenge because in most cases the assessor may not be able to understand the disorder at all, which obviously affects payment.
For this problem in PIP for autism there have been some advancements, like research projects that have been started to ensure that all the necessary features of the condition are assessed properly and that the awarding of benefit is done on a perfectly legitimate basis.
The goal of such research projects is that the individuals and caregivers need to have the capability to spend the PIP for autism on whatever a person with autism needs, including assistance with paperwork and phone calls, prompts for self-care, or even tuition fees, which could help people with autism to get work or move up their chosen career ladder.
The proper support of PIP for autism may help them to live more independently, which would be true to the name of Personal Independence Payment, and be healthier and happier. The goal is also to reduce the support they need from any family and friends.
PIP for Autism: Eligibility
The diagnosis of Autism alone is not enough for claiming the PIP for Autism, and one might need to fulfill the necessary criteria set by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
For most people, it is recommended that it may be worth applying for Personal Independence Payment for Autism if one needs help with any of the following:
Daily Living part of PIP:
- Washing
- Getting dressed/undressed
- Preparing a cooked main meal for yourself with fresh ingredients
- Managing money
- Taking medication
- Eating/drinking
- Socializing with other people
- Using the toilet
- Reading and speaking
Mobility part of PIP:
- Moving around
- Planning and following journeys outdoors alone in unfamiliar places
How to claim PIP for Autism
To make a claim for PIP for autism, you need to have information about the condition of the individual, and it would help if you have the necessary documents.
Claiming a PIP for Autism is a two-step process where first you need to make a phone call (PIP1) and then you need to complete a questionnaire (PIP2).
The phone number 0800 917 2222 may be called to make a claim for PIP for autism, from Monday to Friday in the time period of 8am-6pm, to make the initial claim (PIP1).
Since people with autism have issues with communication and social interaction, it is possible that you may be unable to make the phone call, in which case you can ask a trusted person to make the call and while you can provide the relevant information such as your name, address, date of birth and national insurance number.
You may still need to speak briefly to the person at the end of the phone as a means of confirming that you are okay with your trusted person to make the claim on your behalf.
If this way simply does not work for you, you can also request a paper PIP1 form to be sent to you in the post or if you want to use a paper claim form ask for one when you call 0800 917 2222.
Here is the address where you need to post the paper version of the PIP1 form:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH
Bear in mind that PIP for Autism is not just meant for people with severe autism, it can also be claimed by someone with Asperger’s, if they fulfill the criteria mentioned in the previous section.
After you have completed the PIP 1 form and sent it out, you will then be sent another form which is more detailed (PIP2) to complete.
This second form PIP2 needs to be sent out within a month, but if you think that you will need more than a month you can contact the DWP and ask for an extension and explain why.
It is important to return the form by the date on the PIP2 form and paperwork you receive with this and though it may often be possible to get an extension it is not necessary for the DWP to have to give you one.
Information Needed in PIP for Autism Claim
To make the claim for PIP for Autism, you need the following information at hand:
- Your name, address and contact details
- Your date of birth
- Your national insurance number
- Your bank or building society details
- Your doctor or health worker’s details
- Your nationality, immigration status and details of time spent abroad (of more than 4 weeks).
Different Rates in PIP for Autism
Depending on the need and condition of the person with autism, the rates for PIP for autism may often vary from situation to situation.
PIP is usually divided into two parts: Mobility and Daily Living.
If the eligibility criteria is fulfilled, there are different rates depending on your level of needs
To start with, for the Mobility aspect that includes being able to plan and follow a journey & moving around, the standard rate is about £23.20 per week and for the enhanced rate it is about £61.20.
Under Daily Living, which includes criteria like personal care, engaging socially, communication, and making financial decisions the standard rate is around £58.70 and the enhanced rate is around £87.65.
One also needs to remember that one will need a minimum of 8 points to qualify for the standard rate and 12 points are needed to qualify for the enhanced rate of each part, that is, Mobility and Daily Living.
Face to face assessment is also a part of the PIP claim process, in which an assessor will meet the person to ascertain whether their condition is “medically reasonable”.
However, given the nature of Autism, individuals may sometimes feel that they will not be able to cope with a face to face assessment, in which case this problem may be mentioned on the PIP2 form when the person makes their claim.
There is a lot more information to know about claiming and receiving a PIP for autism, for which one should refer to the National Autistic Society information and guide at www.autism.org.uk/pip.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we looked at PIP for Autism, and everything one needs to know about how to claim PIP for autism for adults as well as children.
Autism is a permanent problem, and even though it can become significantly more manageable with therapy and behavioral techniques, it can still hamper many areas of the person’s life, especially if it is severe.
In cases like these, it naturally becomes important to receive some kind of benefits so that the individual is able to make ends meet and their caretakers can focus on taking care of them instead of constantly trying to juggle work and family.
PIP for autism offers this benefit, and even though there are pitfalls in the PIP process, it can still help tremendously to someone who is able to complete the process and get results.
If you have any questions or comments about PIP for autism, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) : PIP for Autism
Can you claim PIP for autism?
To claim a PIP for autism, you need to complete a form, and then you have a face-to-face assessment for autism, but it currently does not assess ‘hidden’ disabilities.
In the assessment that happens during the process of PIP claim for autism, the assessor is required to decide whether the person’s difficulties fit the medical definition of autism and the assessor must determine the problems as being “medically reasonable”.
Is autism classed as a disability UK?
Yes, Autism is classified as a disability in the UK, according to the Equality Act 2010, which spells out when someone is considered to be disabled and protected from discriminationand other conditions covered in this act are learning difficulty and dyslexia.
Is autism a disability?
Yes, Autism may be considered a disability, particularly if it is very severe, because it can affect major parts of the person’s functioning, like Social, communication and Behavior.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can be managed through medication and therapy, but it is not something that goes away completely and some people may need help their entire life.
What benefits can you get for autism?
Benefits you can get for autism include the Disability living allowance, which is meant to help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 or who needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability, Disabled Child Element of Child Tax Credit and the benefits of School transport.
Citations
http://www.awp.nhs.uk/media/825665/w__social-care_benefits_guide-to-pip-15-october-2019.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46024961
