Is it worth reapplying for PIP? Obesity

legamn1

I am already on PIP, I get enhanced daily living and standard mobility. 

I'm obese. During covid, due to having severe asthma, I was told to stay inside and coupled with a lot of mental health problems, I gained a lot of weight. Now I  cant even walk to the end of my road without sweating and getting unbearable back pain. I limit shopping trips because I can't stand for long enough to pick up more than a few bits from tesco. I barely leave my house, maybe 3 times a month. I'm working to lose weight and am on nhs waiting lists but my GP wants me to focus on my mental health and my new work from home job and becoming more stable.

Is it worth triggering a change of circumstances for PIP due to my weight? I am hindered by it, I don't go outside because of it, I can't do normal things, the pain in my body when I try to walk is unbearable, I do everything online so I don't have to leave my house. I am a shell of a person because of it. Has anyone had any success in getting PIP due to obesity? 

chiarieds

Hi @legamn1 - as you may know, PIP isn't about any disorder, rather the functional problems you may have with any of the 12 descriptors including mobility. Have a look again at the descriptors to see if you might gain sufficient points to increase your mobility component to enhanced: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

It's usually best to get some advice before putting in for a change of circumstances, so you could try here: https://advicelocal.uk/   choosing 'Welfare benefits' from the drop down menu.

Again, as you're likely aware, if you decide to go ahead with a change of circumstances, then you'd be sent another claim form, need an assessment, & your whole award would be looked at afresh.