PIP help - change of circumstances because things got a bit better but now they’re worse again

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guineapigs123

hiya,

I currently receive PIP for OCD and bipolar. In September I noticed my care needs changed for the better so I wrote to update my circumstances. When I called to check they got my letter they said it would be looked at but I still haven’t heard anything back.

However a few weeks ago my mental health has plummeted again and I am back to where I was before. I think I may have just been going through a ‘good’ period but the bad still far outweighs the good over the last year.

I’ve written to the DWP to update them again and explained the above but I’m so scared I’m going to have to have another assessment and go through all the stress of it again. Will they do this, or will they just disregard my last letter and review when the original claim ends?

if anyone knows anything about this I’d be so grateful!

Thank you :)

poppy123456

For PIP if there's any changes to your health conditions then you must have experienced the changes for at least 3 months and expect them to last at least a further 9 months. This is why you shouldn't just report changes, even when you think your conditions have improved.

You don't need to be affected all of the time to be entitled to PIP. What counts is the majority of the days that count over a 12 month period, this is at least 50% of the days.

If they do take it as a change of circumstances you will receive another form to fill in and return. If they don't then you'll be reviewed as normal, which at the moment is around 8 months before your award is due to end.