PIP for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) - Can You Claim?

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) causes real, disabling symptoms - seizures, limb weakness, tremor, speech difficulties, cognitive problems - that arise from the way the nervous system functions rather than from structural damage. Despite being recognised by the NHS as a genuine neurological condition, FND is still dismissed by some assessors as "psychological" or "not real." This makes your PIP application particularly important to get right.

Common FND Symptoms and Which Activities They Affect

Functional seizures (dissociative seizures): These are not epileptic seizures, but they are equally disabling. Loss of consciousness, falls, injury risk, post-seizure confusion and exhaustion. If you have functional seizures, you need supervision for safety during activities like cooking (Activity 1), bathing (Activity 4), and moving around (Activity 12). The unpredictability affects journey planning (Activity 11).

Limb weakness or paralysis: Functional weakness can be as severe as weakness from stroke. If your leg doesn't work, you can't walk. If your arm doesn't work, you can't cook, wash, or dress independently. The affected activities depend on which limb and how severe, but the impact is real and measurable.

Tremor: Functional tremor makes handling objects dangerous - knives, hot liquids, buttons, zips. It affects food preparation (Activity 1), dressing (Activity 6), and writing or using a phone for communication.

Speech difficulties: Functional speech problems affect communication (Activity 7) directly. If you can't speak clearly or at all on some days, this scores highly.

Cognitive difficulties (brain fog): Concentration problems affect reading (Activity 8), budgeting (Activity 10), and following conversations (Activity 9). Memory problems affect managing therapy (Activity 3).

Fatigue: FND-related fatigue is often severe and affects every activity through the reliability criteria - even if you can do something once, you can't do it repeatedly.

The "It's Not Real" Problem

Some assessors still treat FND as a psychological condition that patients could overcome if they tried. This is medically incorrect. FND is classified as a neurological condition by the WHO (ICD-11), NHS, and all major neurological organisations. If an assessor dismisses your FND, challenge it at Mandatory Reconsideration with a clear statement: "FND is a recognised neurological condition. My symptoms are involuntary and not under my conscious control."

Fluctuation

FND symptoms often fluctuate dramatically - fine one hour, unable to walk the next. This doesn't mean you're faking. Describe the fluctuation clearly: "My symptoms are highly variable. On approximately 4 out of 7 days, my left leg is too weak to bear weight and I use a wheelchair. On better days I can walk short distances with a stick. I cannot predict which type of day I will have."

What Evidence Helps?

• Neurologist letters confirming diagnosis and functional impact
• Physiotherapist reports from FND-specific rehabilitation
• Occupational therapist reports
• Psychology or psychiatry letters if receiving treatment
• Seizure diary with dates, duration, and recovery time
• Video evidence of seizures or symptoms (if you're comfortable sharing)
• Partner or carer statement