Claiming PIP whilst waiting hip surgery

My sister desperately needs a replacement hip. She has been on the waiting list for over 2 years and doesn’t know when it will happen. Her surgery is complicated because she was involved in an RTA 30+ years ago. Her hip and pelvis were badly damaged then, which resulted in a hip replacement and lots of pins & plates. It should have only last 10 years, so is 20+ years over due. She is really struggling and I believe she should be able to claim PIP. She is in constant pain and cannot get around without a crutch and then very slowly and only a short distance. She struggles with many daily living tasks and it has impacted her mental health too. Please advise. Many thanks

Hi Jackie_Moss_17, I would just add, it would be wise for your sister to strongly emphasize the fact that when she does get the surgery she will still have the various difficulties because of the RTA history and the effects of the time that has passed since. The issue is that the DWP are keen to jump on any future surgery as a certain complete miracle cure, and to qualify it must be expected that the problems will continue for 9 months plus. I do realise your poor sister could well still not have even had the surgery by then, but the DWP like to ignore waiting lists too as far as I know.
If you sister were to make a successful claim and then truly be so much better that her problems were reduced below the points score for the award, she would be legally obliged to inform them anyway. I'm sure she'd be glad to have that happen!
Best wishes,
Denby