Pip change in law letter

karen57

Hi can anyone advise me, I received a letter from dwp regarding a change in law for pip social support. Asking me to contact them if I thought I may be affected. Awarded the  standard daily living component and the higher mobility component in September 23. I rang them and they asked me what date was on the letter I told them it was April 2016 I was then passed on to another department and was asked if I wanted a reconsideration I said yes and was told I would receive a letter with their decision. Has anyone else received a letter like this? It was unexpected. 

Thanks
karen

Rosie_Scope

Hello @karen57, is your PIP letter similar to this information on the governments website?

I haven't heard about this myself before today, but it seems like they're adjusting some claims based on the change. I'm no expert, but from what I've understood, some people might be eligible for higher points based on whether they need social support for some activities. And it might mean they've missed out on some money over the years and could have it backdated.

Hopefully some of our members will be along soon to share whether they've had this come through too

karen57

hi Rosie, thanks for your reply probably someone out there has had the same letter. 

Best wishes 
karen

karen57

The letter says the change is to do with how they consider social support and how far in advance that support is needed and that it is an ongoing thing not just something that is needed during and just before mixing with other people. Hope that makes sense? 

chiarieds

Hi @karen57 - we have had a lot of people wondering about this, but just a couple having been contacted by the DWP about this change in the law from 6 April 2016. You can read about it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-changes/social-support-changes-to-pip-law-from-6-april-2016

They're contacting those who may have been affected, & who may get extra points changing the level of their PIP award. I hope you'll let us know how you get on.

karen57

Hi I will let you know, how I get on thanks, not sure how long it will take for the dwp to send out the decision letter.best  wishes Karen

bookrabbit

I think I may be affected by this. I previously scored just 6 points including 2 for social prompting which wasn't accurate considering I just don't socialise at all because of severe social anxiety. Social support would definitely be needed to get me to socialise. I wonder if they will spot that and connect it to my recent assessment when that was made quite clear and back date this claim to the last one...

chiarieds

Hi @bookrabbit - from the link above, you can see that this change in PIP law has been applied to all PIP reviews since 17 September 2020, but this change in law may affect those who had a decision between 6 April 2016 & 17 Sept 2020 only (& not if an award was made by a tribunal). 

Was your previous PIP decision between the dates mentioned, that's the important bit, & who the DWP may be contacting?

poppy123456

bookrabbit said:

I think I may be affected by this. I previously scored just 6 points including 2 for social prompting which wasn't accurate considering I just don't socialise at all because of severe social anxiety. Social support would definitely be needed to get me to socialise. I wonder if they will spot that and connect it to my recent assessment when that was made quite clear and back date this claim to the last one...

In a previous comment here. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/785734#Comment_785734 you said you were waiting for a decision. You also said you were claiming DLA years ago and should have been claiming PIP but couldn't cope with the process so you let it go. Can i please ask when exactly the decision was made on that claim where you scored 6 points for daily living?

karen57

Hi all been reading up about the change in law of pip social support and it says in one article that it considers wether a person needs support from either a health professional a social worker or a friend or family member and how far in advance it has to be planned and  how they have input in supporting them in social situations I take it that means any appointments hospital doctor or dentist etc.
Karen.

kiamarie

I also had this letter about change in pip law received letter friday I have read this but when I was awarded in 2019 I was scored 0 for this. Was awarded low rate daily living i new this was wrong but I was to ill to challenge this. When i was reassessed in may 2024 I had 2 points for this .And they backdated me from April 2023 never received any back payment for this. I thought maybe because it taken so long for them to sort it that's why i didn't receive any back pay.no sure if it worth contacting them about this or just leaving it i worry if they look at my claim again they may not give me nothing atall. Not sure what to do any advice please @poppy123456

Kimi87

Poppy is taking a break from the forum. I'd recommend you get advice from a trained benefits advisor via local welfare rights.

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits