DLA to PIP query

TheDayToday wrote: [mod note : due to mods being offline I am unable to append this query to a query I posted earlier - I understand you prefer an individual collate their posts into the one thread. Could you append this for me?]

I have autism and I'm having some difficulties understanding some of the descriptors. Ironic! For example :

" Needs prompting to be able to read or understand complex written information. "

What does 'prompting' mean here? I have difficulty processing language and often ask others to help me interpret and understand correspondence. Is that prompting? Prompting sounds like 'being reminded', when what I need is somebody else's input. This statement makes more sense to me : " Needs help to be able to read or understand complex written information. "

Another example :

4. Washing and bathing.
a. Can wash and bathe unaided. 0 points.
b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe. 2 points.
c. Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. 2 points.
d. Needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or body below the waist. 2 points.
e. Needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower. 3 points.
f. Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. 4 points.
g. Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. 8 points.

So because of OCD problems, rituals around maintaining my bathroom etc, having a shower is a major ordeal and it's something I achieve typically once a week at best and with difficulty. So yes I have difficulties around washing and bathing but I don't see a tickbox that applies? I think if I had assistance with my house/washing, I would be able to wash more regularly.. so (e).. but I don't have assistance...

I'm wondering generally, if in cases where "needs prompting/assistance" applies, but you don't have access to that help.. shouldn't the descriptor still apply in leu of assistance?

Another :

Needs either (i) prompting to be able to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed; or (ii) prompting or assistance to be able to select appropriate clothing.

So I've had problems because, I I'm not mentally organised to have a normal warddrobe.. consequently I have two pairs of underwear, one pair of trainers, one pair of trousers.. I often find situations where I run out... I don't OWN appropriate clothing to select from... so does the highlighted bit fit?? You can maybe see where I'm having difficulty with language here and taking things literally..

Sorry if I'm duplicating anything here I'm just starting with the guides and feeling overwhelmed already... hope it's ok to ask these sorts of questions.. TY

TheDayToday wrote: Thank you! Supposing in the worst case the extension was not honoured, would my claim be ended? I thought I read there may be a four week suspension which can be resumed if you fail to hit the deadline and have a suitable reason.. I could really do with these extra two weeks!!

As a side note I asked more than once during the initial PIP claim call for a time extension in advance.. autism is both a mental health condition and devleopmental disorder which are two of the five conditions they should provide an extension for.. the person wouldn't budge and fobbed me off.