A Change In Circumstances

SteveJF7

Hi,

I was awarded a PIP award for the daily living part in August 2022

My friend suggested that l should let the DWP know of a change of circumstances in my disability. She thinks l should be awarded the mobility part as well as my walking is not as good as it was in 2022.

She called the DWP to arranged for a form to be sent to me. I received a text today saying that a form has been sent to me.

Is this form exactly the same as the first form that l filled in to apply for my original application?

Do l need to be assess for daily living part again despite the change of circumstances is related to the mobility part only.

Cheers in advance.

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @SteveJF7, you should treat this form like a brand new application. Imagine you're filling it in for the first time and PIP have never heard of you before. Don't just put in what has changed or is new. The decision makers often make the assumption that because you've not mentioned it then it must no longer be an issue.

So your answer to your question is yes, you are essentially being assessed for the daily living part again, even though you think only the mobility needs changing.

Review are also covered by the appeals steps of MR and tribunal though, just like new applications.

SteveJF7

Thank you for your reply @Jimm_Scope

Does that mean if l go for a change of circumstances, l could lose my daily living part should l be assess again?

To be honest, my walking has got slightly worse in the last couple of years but my score was not too high in the previous assessment (it was a telephone assessment so the decision maker could not see me).

My friend has made me an appointment to see a MsK specialist and advised me to see an occupational therapist. Are these could support me with my 'change of circumstances' review ?

Rosie_Scope

Hi @SteveJF7, I hope you don't mind me butting in as Jimm's not around today. A review could change any part of your award including what you already have for your daily living. The review would look at both parts, so you could gain points on your mobility and have your award increased, but you could also lose points from your previous assessment on either part.

As Jimm mentioned, it's often best to treat it as a completely new claim so everything about your conditions is covered in detail.

Your specialists might be able to provide some evidence to help support your claim, but not everyone finds this makes much difference. Many members say that they found that the most important parts of their claim were what they wrote on their forms and what was covered in the assessment.

I hope it goes well whatever you decide to do 😊

SteveJF7

Thank you for your reply @Rosie_Scope

Should l ignore the letter when it arrives, will the DWP either chase me up to ask where is it or leave everything as it is as before?

SteveJF7

I have received the 'change of circumstances' form.

I'm confused as ever as there are 3 options to consider. These are as follows:-

Tell us if something has changed and approximately well.

Tell us how you managed this activity now, including the use of any aids that you need.

Tell us about any changes to the help you need or the help you get from another person.

I can think of only one significant change. This is l sometimes required the help from another person when going down steps without a handrail.

I don't think this change is going to get the required score for the mobility award?

I'm going to call the PIP people and ask not to be consider for a change of circumstances.

My friend means well but l always telling her that I'm satisfied with my daily living award but she keeps on at me that my walking is so bad that l should be getting the mobility part but l disagree.

In my letter received from PIP, it says that my current award may be stop if they haven't heard from me by the given date. Is this common practice?

poppy123456

The form is a shortened version but you should still treat it as a new claim.

As you did go ahead and report changes they may not agree to cancel that now. If this happens you will need to make sure you fill it in and return it. If you don’t then your current award could stop.

There’s a guide here for that form you received. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/pip-changes-and-reviews/help-with-your-pip-review-form/

SteveJF7

I have stated in my opening post it was my friend who contacted the PIP people requested a change of circumstances, not me.

If l knew beforehand what was involved in the change of circumstances, l would have stop her calling the PIP people. I assumed it was a somewhat more straightforward form to fill in but l know different now!