Pip change in circumstances

Lolli2724

Hi All, I'm new here. I sent my forms for a change in circumstances due to my eyesight changes. I have multiple conditions. Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, complex ptsd and trigeminal neuralgia. My eyesight has severely deteriorated over the last year so I am unable to see safely. 
I was awarded the low rate care and nothing for mobility last year. Now I am reliant on constant help and waiting to see a neurologist. 
The forms were received by pip end of December and sent to the independent assesor mid January but I still havent heard anything regarding an assessment appointment. 
Has anyone got any experience of waiting for the appointment and how long it may be?

poppy123456

Your timescale hasn’t been long at all. They have been concentrating on new claims for a considerable length of time so you could be waiting several months. 

Most people have assessments so you should expect one of those. Once an appointment becomes available you will be contacted. 

wkd

i applied for a change of circumstances in late July. It was quite quick. I sent the forms in late August as the first form didn't turn up for 3 weeks so in the interim periodI asked for another form as I didn't want to miss the deadline.

 I had my assessment at the start of Nov. They made a decision a couple of weeks later and awarded me Enhanced for both.  Funny really as I didn't realise at the time that I also had fibromyalgia which explains a lot . I went to a rheumatologist about my arthritis which they diagnosed in my spine and toes, but then they went on to diagnose me with Fibromyalgia too.  I have been referred to a pain clinic, so I empathise with you having the same condition.

wkd

Lolli2724 said:

Hi All, I'm new here. I sent my forms for a change in circumstances due to my eyesight changes. I have multiple conditions. Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, complex ptsd and trigeminal neuralgia. My eyesight has severely deteriorated over the last year so I am unable to see safely. 
I was awarded the low rate care and nothing for mobility last year. Now I am reliant on constant help and waiting to see a neurologist. 
The forms were received by pip end of December and sent to the independent assesor mid January but I still havent heard anything regarding an assessment appointment. 
Has anyone got any experience of waiting for the appointment and how long it may be?

I also have Complex PTSD and the specialist said fibromyalgia is linked to PTSD and also irritable bowel syndrome which I also suffer from. Strange how the physical is closely linked to the psychological but I guess our bodies are a bit like a car, once one thing goes wrong it can have an impact elsewhere.

Lolli2724

I completely agree, I currently attend remote therapy and my therapist has advised me my conditions are often linked. It seems unfair to suffer a trauma and then be hindered with years of physical suffering too. 

wkd

Lolli2724 said:

I completely agree, I currently attend remote therapy and my therapist has advised me my conditions are often linked. It seems unfair to suffer a trauma and then be hindered with years of physical suffering too. 

I have remote therapy too.   Seems we have similar experiences. x

Lolli2724

It sounds like we do Wkd so in that case I really hope your getting a lot support because it's hard x

GillP

Morning everyone 
I had my review assessment  on Monday with pip my condition has deteriorated since November but only told them in review does that make a difference. Also I found the review abit difficult due to I my learning disability I thought they would follow the assessment form such as  health diagnosis then go through the sections but no she was just firing questions at me . As I can’t walk without aids now she was abit rude saying well how do get to my hospital appointments. I explained that my husband takes me and she was like how do walk go the clinic I explain i have to take my time and take a step by step I think my mobility reward will be taken off me any advice would be great I think I’m overthinking it 

Hannah_Alumni

@GillP I'm sorry the woman was rude. I hope that they don't take your mobility award. At the moment, it is unfortunately the waiting side. Once you get your letter and know if you would need further support, I'd reach out to Citizen's Advice. 

But I am keeping everything crossed you get awarded the support you need!

GillP

Thanks Hannah 

poppy123456

GillP said:

Morning everyone 
I had my review assessment  on Monday with pip my condition has deteriorated since November but only told them in review does that make a difference. Also I found the review abit difficult due to I my learning disability I thought they would follow the assessment form such as  health diagnosis then go through the sections but no she was just firing questions at me . As I can’t walk without aids now she was abit rude saying well how do get to my hospital appointments. I explained that my husband takes me and she was like how do walk go the clinic I explain i have to take my time and take a step by step I think my mobility reward will be taken off me any advice would be great I think I’m overthinking it 

Usually for reviews that are started by DWP if any new award is higher than your existing award there's no money owed. Money is only owed if you rang to report changes to your health conditions. 

However, due to the long waiting times for decisions on reviews some people (not everyone) are owed some money if a decision maker will award from an earlier time. 

As for the questions you were asked, it's perfectly normal to be ask those sort of questions because they are trying to gather more evidence to support your claim. 

It would be impossible to speculate anything at this stage just based on the questions you were asked. 

Once the report is returned a decision can take up to 12 weeks. 

Hannah_Alumni

In this instance, Citizen's Advice is an organisation that could help if the member needs it. At Scope we will signpost to where we think would be best to help the member. 

GillP

poppy123456 said:

GillP said:

Morning everyone 
I had my review assessment  on Monday with pip my condition has deteriorated since November but only told them in review does that make a difference. Also I found the review abit difficult due to I my learning disability I thought they would follow the assessment form such as  health diagnosis then go through the sections but no she was just firing questions at me . As I can’t walk without aids now she was abit rude saying well how do get to my hospital appointments. I explained that my husband takes me and she was like how do walk go the clinic I explain i have to take my time and take a step by step I think my mobility reward will be taken off me any advice would be great I think I’m overthinking it 

Usually for reviews that are started by DWP if any new award is higher than your existing award there's no money owed. Money is only owed if you rang to report changes to your health conditions. 

However, due to the long waiting times for decisions on reviews some people (not everyone) are owed some money if a decision maker will award from an earlier time. 

As for the questions you were asked, it's perfectly normal to be ask those sort of questions because they are trying to gather more evidence to support your claim. 

It would be impossible to speculate anything at this stage just based on the questions you were asked. 

Once the report is returned a decision can take up to 12 weeks. 

Thanks poppy