Can anybody advise me please! Pip/DLA

Carla2023

My son is 16 next month.  He's on pathway for Autism and ADHD.  He's under Camhs and early help.  He does suffer with his mental health and has done since October 2021.  He self harms and has had pervious attempts to end his life.  Since Nov 2022 I've stepped back from work as he has been really poorly.  They advised to apply for DLA last year and I've had the forms but honestly havnt had energy to deal with them and kept putting it off but now am thinking I might as well wait till next month and apply for pip for him? 
What do you think? 

Carla2023

I just don't want to start process and then have to apply to pip because he turns 16 next month 😰

poppy123456

The form you received for DLA claim should have been returned within 1 month so that claim maybe closed now anyway.

Once he reaches 16 then as you said, it will be PIP you'll need to apply for so i would wait until then. When you do apply if he's unable to manage his own claim then you can ask to become his appointee when you ring to start the claim. Someone from DWP will then visit you in your home to fill out the forms for the appointee.

Before starting a claim it will help if you had a read of this. It will give you a better understanding of the descriptors. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria