Want to pursue autism diagnosis, but worried about impact on PIP

randomlygenerated

Weird ask maybe, but in brief:

- I've been getting PIP for nearly a year - multiple conditions
- I receive max rate for both mobility and daily living components
- I get the "indefinite" award as well AKA my first review isn't scheduled for 10 years

I've been thinking about pursuing a possible autism diagnosis. But today I started wondering - if I got one, is that a change I'd have to report? And if I did, would that potentially risk my current award and review schedule by triggering an earlier review?

I feel I got very lucky with my PIP assessor - it felt like I landed someone who actually understood my condition but also communication needs/differences. She had a medical background and I can only assume some kind of prior experience with my conditions.

Unfortunately, I don't feel confident I'd be as lucky twice, nor assessed similarly under the new rules (which I know at least currently don't affect me) as with all the changes and media spins, it feels like they're gunning for people like me - people with variable conditions, mental health, chronic illnesses.

I also don't trust the rules will stay exactly as they are now as things seem to change every few months.

Am I right to be wary?

rubin16

Hi Welcome to the community,

I understand why you may be wary, however PIP is based on how conditions affect you not on what your diagnosed with. You don't need to inform pip unless your conditions change for better or worse.

You don't need to tell them about your Autism diagnosis till your next review, unless your conditions get better or worst. (and since your on max award, you should only report if your conditions get better).

Hope this helps.