Currently on LCWRA and also PIP.. i have just currently found out i am pregnant.. — Scope | Disability forum
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Currently on LCWRA and also PIP.. i have just currently found out i am pregnant..

mini32
mini32 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
Hi.. i need some advise please.. i am currently on LCWRA and also PIP.. i have just currently found out i am pregnant.. firstly do i need to update them with this and also will it affect my awards and payments.. thank you in advance..
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Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 16
    Being pregnant is not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported for either UC or PIP. (LCWRA is part of UC)
    Once the baby is born you'll need to report a change of circumstances for UC and tell them about the baby. You will then receive the child element for the baby. (providing you're not already claiming for 2 children) You do not need to report anything to PIP and this will remain the same.
    You will also be able to claim child benefit. https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • Alex_Scope
    Alex_Scope Posts: 7,562 Scope online community team
    Hello and welcome @mini32 and thanks for reaching out :) To help other members who might be in a similar situation, I've just edited the title of your post, and popped it into our benefits category. 

    Congratulations on your pregnancy, how are you feeling about it all? 

    I can see Poppy has replied above, so is there anything else you're still feeling unsure about? Do let us know if we can help!
    Online Community Coordinator
    Scope

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  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @mini32. I would just like to add a warm welcome. How are you feeling about everything at the moment? Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you  :)
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    Being pregnant is not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported for either UC or PIP. (LCWRA is part of UC)
    Once the baby is born you'll need to report a change of circumstances for UC and tell them about the baby. You will then receive the child element for the baby. (providing you're not already claiming for 2 children) You do not need to report anything to PIP and this will remain the same.
    You will also be able to claim child benefit. https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

    I agree that at the moment the poster does not need to tell the DWP that she is pregnant.
    However and obviously depending on the posters condition and what the points for PIP were once baby is born it is possible that looking after a young baby may well contradict the reasons for those points.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    Being pregnant is not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported for either UC or PIP. (LCWRA is part of UC)
    Once the baby is born you'll need to report a change of circumstances for UC and tell them about the baby. You will then receive the child element for the baby. (providing you're not already claiming for 2 children) You do not need to report anything to PIP and this will remain the same.
    You will also be able to claim child benefit. https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit


    However and obviously depending on the posters condition and what the points for PIP were once baby is born it is possible that looking after a young baby may well contradict the reasons for those points.


    I completely disagree with that!! Having a baby doesn't take away someone's disability!! My children were a lot younger when i first had health problems but looking after them didn't mean i didn't have those difficulties. If anything it made them even worse!
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    edited April 17

    I completely disagree with that!! Having a baby doesn't take away someone's disability!! My children were a lot younger when i first had health problems but looking after them didn't mean i didn't have those difficulties. If anything it made them even worse!
    You have not really understood what I was saying.
    The matter revolves around the various elements/descriptors that make up PIP and what points were awarded for each of those elements/descriptors.
    If caring for a baby contradicts in some way what those points were awarded for then it will be a change of circumstances. Highly likely that in most cases there will be no change.
    As an example. If someone has claimed that they cannot function in a morning until their pain relief medication takes effect how are they going to cope with a baby on a rolling 24 hour basis?
    It's really a question of looking at the reasons why the points were awarded and do those same points apply when looking after a young child.
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 15,464 Disability Gamechanger
    A parent looks after a baby/child despite their disability. Remember PIP is about the help you may need even if you don't get it. So, with your example, a Mum may still have difficulty because she's in pain each morning before her pain medication begins to help, but she will look after her child regardless even when it likely causes more pain.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    chiarieds said:
    A parent looks after a baby/child despite their disability. Remember PIP is about the help you may need even if you don't get it. So, with your example, a Mum may still have difficulty because she's in pain each morning before her pain medication begins to help, but she will look after her child regardless even when it likely causes more pain.
    If I was a DWP employee looking at this type of case say following a tip off from a neighbour it may well be argued that being able to care for that child in the early hours etc would diminish the original claim that she could not function at all until her tablets took effect.
    It's like taking on a dog that needs regular exercise and they manage to walk it twice a day (morning and evening) despite claiming that they are in pain until the morning medication takes effect.


  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    chiarieds said:
    A parent looks after a baby/child despite their disability. Remember PIP is about the help you may need even if you don't get it. So, with your example, a Mum may still have difficulty because she's in pain each morning before her pain medication begins to help, but she will look after her child regardless even when it likely causes more pain.
    If I was a DWP employee looking at this type of case say following a tip off from a neighbour it may well be argued that being able to care for that child in the early hours etc would diminish the original claim that she could not function at all until her tablets took effect.
    It's like taking on a dog that needs regular exercise and they manage to walk it twice a day (morning and evening) despite claiming that they are in pain until the morning medication takes effect.


    Then I’m happy to know that you are not a DWP decision maker because what you’re saying is compete and utter nonsense!!!
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,331 Disability Gamechanger
             Anyone with any sense wouldn't be telling a neighbour what benefits they were claiming!!
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    chiarieds said:
    A parent looks after a baby/child despite their disability. Remember PIP is about the help you may need even if you don't get it. So, with your example, a Mum may still have difficulty because she's in pain each morning before her pain medication begins to help, but she will look after her child regardless even when it likely causes more pain.
    If I was a DWP employee looking at this type of case say following a tip off from a neighbour it may well be argued that being able to care for that child in the early hours etc would diminish the original claim that she could not function at all until her tablets took effect.
    It's like taking on a dog that needs regular exercise and they manage to walk it twice a day (morning and evening) despite claiming that they are in pain until the morning medication takes effect.


    Then I’m happy to know that you are not a DWP decision maker because what you’re saying is compete and utter nonsense!!!
    Is it? I believe that any change should be notified to the DWP. To be honest they are the ones that will look at the facts and make the relevant decision.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
             Anyone with any sense wouldn't be telling a neighbour what benefits they were claiming!!
    I agree, but it does happen quite regularly especially when comparing what one is on and the other isn't. Same goes for a new Motability car. Most people know that you only have one if you have difficulty walking less than 20 meters. Yet the neighbour sees you walking the dog every morning.
     
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    chiarieds said:
    A parent looks after a baby/child despite their disability. Remember PIP is about the help you may need even if you don't get it. So, with your example, a Mum may still have difficulty because she's in pain each morning before her pain medication begins to help, but she will look after her child regardless even when it likely causes more pain.
    If I was a DWP employee looking at this type of case say following a tip off from a neighbour it may well be argued that being able to care for that child in the early hours etc would diminish the original claim that she could not function at all until her tablets took effect.
    It's like taking on a dog that needs regular exercise and they manage to walk it twice a day (morning and evening) despite claiming that they are in pain until the morning medication takes effect.


    Then I’m happy to know that you are not a DWP decision maker because what you’re saying is compete and utter nonsense!!!
    Is it? I believe that any change should be notified to the DWP. To be honest they are the ones that will look at the facts and make the relevant decision.
    Not all changes need to be reported. You still sound very familiar to another member that used to post here. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,331 Disability Gamechanger
        How on earth would you know a brand new car is a mobility one unless you asked. My neighbour recently parked a new car outside his house turned out it was a courtesy car but I didn't think for one minute he was playing the benefits system. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 19
             Anyone with any sense wouldn't be telling a neighbour what benefits they were claiming!!
      Same goes for a new Motability car. Most people know that you only have one if you have difficulty walking less than 20 meters.
    That's not correct at all!! For Enhanced mobility PIP you could be claiming it for following and planning a journey and this will also qualify you for a motability vehicle. It has nothing to do with anyones ability to walk.
    Not only that someone could have a motability vehicle and not drive it theirself, there's such a thing as named drivers too.
    Another thing to remember is for those claim high rate mobility DLA then the criteria is 50 metres and not 20 metres like PIP. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    Not all changes need to be reported. You still sound very familiar to another member that used to post here. 
    I agree, but to err on the side of caution it would be wiser to inform them of the new family set up so as to avoid any issues/investigation down the line.
    Do I? Sorry to inform you that I have never been on this website before.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
        How on earth would you know a brand new car is a mobility one unless you asked. My neighbour recently parked a new car outside his house turned out it was a courtesy car but I didn't think for one minute he was playing the benefits system. 
    In passing if the neighbour mentions the new car and you tell them? All of my neighbours know that my new car is a Motability one - they were intrigued as it is something that I would never have chosen  for myself if I was still buying my own cars so I told them.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    Not all changes need to be reported. You still sound very familiar to another member that used to post here. 
    I agree, but to err on the side of caution it would be wiser to inform them of the new family set up so as to avoid any issues/investigation down the line.
    You do not need to report any changes to PIP when you’re pregnant. It’s not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported. 

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 638 Connected
    Not all changes need to be reported. You still sound very familiar to another member that used to post here. 
    I agree, but to err on the side of caution it would be wiser to inform them of the new family set up so as to avoid any issues/investigation down the line.
    You do not need to report any changes to PIP when you’re pregnant. It’s not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported. 
     
    I believe that is what I agreed with. My further comments related to when and after baby is born
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,618 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 19
    Not all changes need to be reported. You still sound very familiar to another member that used to post here. 
    I agree, but to err on the side of caution it would be wiser to inform them of the new family set up so as to avoid any issues/investigation down the line.
    You do not need to report any changes to PIP when you’re pregnant. It’s not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported. 
     
     My further comments related to when and after baby is born
    Again you are wrong. Even after the baby is born this is not a change of circumstances that needs to be reported for PIP. 
    Changes just need to be reported for UC when they will also be entitled to the child element. Assuming they aren’t already claiming for 2 children. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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