I had to apply for mobility for my son when he turned 5, he doesn't have a physical disability. He was accepted for mobility part as he was a danger to himself and unable to walk safely on his own. I received help applying for him from the development centre he attended at the time as I didn't know he was even entitled because he hadn't been diagnosed then. I was completely unaware at the time that it went on his needs differing from other children and not the actual diagnosis. When he turned 5 and I received a form to apply for mobility part someone from a carers centre helped me complete it.
There’s a lot about PIP/DLA that people don’t know. To claim for these benefits is not made easy. the forms are huge and very difficult to fill in.
Biggest misconception is that a diagnosis is needed. As you point out.
its not.
Its the help and assistance needed that counts.
A diagnosis may help, but its not dependant on one.
It’s all about how the form is filled in and most people may never have faced a form like this before. It’s always best to try to get help from one of the many agencies that will help fill in the form.
And nobody from the DWP will tell you what you could claim for. You have to find that out for your self.
As you say, you were unaware of what you could claim .this is very common. Because nobody gives you the information.
It’s a shocking system designed to put people off claiming .
PIP is being migrated over to the Scottish disability benifit.
My own experience of this is that the advisors in the Scottish system are so much easier to deal with.and the claim process is much less stressful. I hope this continues. People should always claim for what they think they might be entitled to,and not be put off by the process.