PIP Online application limited data entry - anyone had experience?

I'm struggling with online PIP application and nearing my deadline. I've found it limits the entry for information about conditions to 5000 characters which isn't enough for my 60 years of anxiety history. I've only recently been diagnosed with both autism spectrum disorder and with ADHD. Loads of trauma over the years and particularly the last decade have caused a decline in mental functioning. Do you think it'll be enough to just put this rather describe events which have led to worsening of my anxiety and depression? I've had several different assessments and AMH referrals since 2017 so a lot of information, do I rely on them actually reading my reports?

Is there any guidance specifically for PIP online application, I understand it's quite new. Be grateful for information from anyones that's completed one, particularly if there's a space for additional information, which I won't know until I reach that point.. if ever! TIA

What I would do is if you have extra information to include then at the end of the information you put in the activity box put (see extra iinformation for Question X - Name of Activity) Then add you information in a text file including you name , date of birth and national insurance numer on each file you do. Title the page "Question X - Name of Activity Continued" (or something like that so it clearly indicates that it is linked to that Activity) then save it with a file name of "Question X - Name of Activity Continued" (if you can save it as a PDF) then upload it when you add your supporting evidence.

What I have put above is what I would do if I was in your situation.
Waxwing

Thank you very helpful, I hadn't thought to name attachments with my NI number, name etc.

Hello MuttonJeff. Sorry, longish answer following.

Speaking as a confirmed technophobe, I really struggled with the 'Online' application (October 2016 version) completed in October 2019 which at the time was anything BUT user friendly. Why am I not surprised!!!!!! Other than my NI number on the top of each page the whole questionnaire was blank however, as per the paper version, the room that they give you to supply your detailed reply, remains woefully inadequate. The more characters I tried to use in my answers just resulted in the text size reducing which in turn made it impossible to easily read. I also experienced issues with trying to access my replies in progress as they seem to randomly disappear despite saving each session. In the end the stress was overwhelming so much so that I adopted a 'Half & Half' approach' I completed as much of the 'Online' application, in a print size that was comfortable for me to read, completed the tick boxes then, in the majority of the 'Answer Boxes' I didn't even try to enter any text instead I typed (eg) "PAGE 5-Q2B CONTINUES OVER. PAGE 6 & 7-Q3A, 3B & 3C CONTINUES OVER" and created PDF pages/documents for each question that had insufficient space to use, which was the majority of them, all of which I saved. I'm not sure, I might have even downloaded every page to ensure I then had a copy to reference. Overkill perhaps, but as I said, confirmed technophobe I am.

Then, when entirely happy, I used a whole tree at least, sorry, to print out the completed, online application form all of which I've saved on a memory stick..... I think, for future reference. The benefit of doing this, for me at least, was for each pdf page I created, I inserted it immediately following each of the relevant questions on the PIP application form ensuring that each of my pages had the corresponding page and question number as a heading as well as even including the corresponding subject heading eg. PAGE 6-Q3A CONT: AIDS PREPARING FOOD. I also put my name and NI number as well as the number of pages relevant to the particular question such as 1/3 so the person reading it would know that there were 3 pages to that particular answer. A good example of this, for me, was in section 1 - About your health professionals. In the box provided I put PAGE 2&3-Q1 CONTINUES OVER and then inserted 8 pages of all of the Specialist, Medical/Surgical/Therapeutic & other professionals involved in my care. My then original, 33 page, online PIP questionnaire increased to 90 pages not including the additional 98 pages of chronologically indexed, supporting medical documents. It really does feel like you're doing their job for them.

The outcome of all of this, which took weeks and weeks and 2 extensions to complete, not to mention the fact that in order to initiate access to an online version, I had to submit an email request with the reasons why I was requesting it, I lost my HR Care & Mobility and then had to endure the Mandatory Reconsideration Process, which definitely added insult to injury. My HR Care & Mobility was finally reinstated after a further 7 months with a note "We will also contact you while you are getting PIP to see if your needs have changed and to look at the amount you get. This will be AFTER 10 June 2030. The whole process from start to finish lasted 12 months which by todays timescale was relatively short, it certainly didn't feel like it. It felt like it was sooo much longer as just prior to my DLA to PIP invitation I had to go through the whole ESA renewal so double whammy

It would be nice to think that the online PIP application process would have improved, but from your post MuttonJeff it would seem not. Even if I am a technophobe, in this age of computers and digital technology you would think the DWP would have developed a system that was fit for purpose, but it seems that, one way or the other, the needs of benefit applicants continues to be of very little importance needlessly adding to distress and anxiety of many. Good luck in your application MJ and don't let so & so's grind you down. x