PIP ADHD Carer and Partner Evidence: Writing a Supporting Statement

Why Third-Party Evidence Matters for ADHD Claims

Adults with ADHD tend to underreport their difficulties. Years of masking, internalised expectations and habitual compensatory strategies mean that the person filling in the form often does not recognise the full extent of the support they receive. A partner who gives five verbal prompts every morning may describe it as "just our routine" rather than recognising it as daily prompting.

A supporting statement from someone who observes the claimant's daily life — a partner, parent, adult child, housemate or carer — corrects this blind spot. Decision-makers treat these statements as strong evidence because they provide an external perspective on the functional reality that the claimant may not fully capture.

What to Include in a Supporter Statement

Structure the statement around the PIP activities where difficulties occur, not as a general narrative about ADHD. For each relevant activity, describe:

What the claimant struggles with. Be specific and practical. Not "they have trouble cooking" but "they forget that the hob is on. Last week I found a pan of pasta boiled dry while they were in the next room. This happens two or three times a week."

What support you provide. Use the language the PIP assessment uses — prompting (reminding, encouraging, explaining), supervision (being physically present to ensure safety), or assistance (physically helping to complete the task). Describe what you actually do: "I remind them to take their medication every morning. On about four days out of seven, I have to say it three or four times before they actually do it."

How often it happens. Frequency is critical because of the 50% rule. Give a clear estimate — daily, most days, three or four days a week. If you are not sure, keep a quick tally for a couple of weeks before writing the statement.

What happens when you are not there. This is the most powerful part. "When I worked away for a week in September, I came home to find they had eaten nothing but cereal for five days, had not showered, and had a pile of unopened letters including a DWP appointment notice."

GP Evidence and Medical Records

GP letters are a common source of PIP evidence, but a brief letter saying "This patient has ADHD" adds almost nothing. What helps is:

• GP records — request access to the personal data they hold about you through a Subject Access Request, which is usually free. The response can include consultation notes, prescribing history and specialist referrals.
• Prescriber letters — a letter from your ADHD prescriber confirming that medication does not fully resolve executive dysfunction is high-value evidence
• Shared care agreements — these document the ongoing clinical management of your ADHD and confirm it is a persistent condition requiring treatment

Do not pay for a GP letter unless the GP will include specific functional observations. Most GP letters are generic and do not address how ADHD affects daily activities.

Occupational Therapy and Specialist Reports

If you have had any of the following, request copies — they often contain exactly the kind of functional evidence the PIP assessment needs:

• Access to Work assessment — describes workplace accommodations needed because of your condition
• Disabled Students' Allowance needs assessment — details the support you need in an educational setting, which often parallels daily living difficulties
• NHS or private occupational therapy report — evaluates practical functional limitations and recommended adaptations
• Psychology or psychiatric assessment — particularly useful if it describes executive function testing results

These professional reports carry strong weight because they are written by qualified practitioners who assessed your functioning in a structured setting. An OT report stating you need visual cue cards, timers and supervised cooking is direct evidence for PIP descriptors.

Common Mistakes in Supporter Statements

Being too vague. "I help them a lot around the house" does not score points. "I cook all evening meals because they have left the hob on so many times I no longer feel it is safe for them to cook alone" does.

Minimising the support. Supporters often downplay what they do because it has become normal to them. Before writing, spend a few days consciously noticing every time you prompt, remind, check up on or do something for the person — you may be surprised by how much you do without thinking about it.

Writing about the condition instead of the impact. The statement should describe what the claimant cannot do, what you do instead, and what happens when you are not there — not what ADHD is or how it works.

Forgetting to sign and date it. The statement should include your name, your relationship to the claimant, your address, the date, and your signature. It is a personal account, not an anonymous testimonial.

Scotland: Supporting Information for ADP

In Scotland, Social Security Scotland actively gathers supporting information from professionals named by the claimant. However, a personal statement from a family member or carer is still valuable and can be submitted alongside the application. It fills the gap between clinical records and daily reality.

The PIP and Adult Disability Payment for ADHD claim guide includes a carer statement template that walks supporters through each PIP activity with ADHD-specific prompt questions, so they can write a comprehensive statement without having to guess what the decision-maker needs.

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