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Do I need to inform DWP?

BoomtownBoomtown Member Posts: 15 Connected
edited September 2020 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi I suffer with chronic pain I also suffer with depression and anxiety I wear two morphine patches I take a mixture of other tablets making it around  36 a day and recently was advised by OT  that I now need the use of a wheelchair the referral was done through my GP has well this was so done before covid  came but things have moved forward now and I got my wheelchair on Wednesday do I need to in form DWP 
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Replies

  • Ross_ScopeRoss_Scope Community Team Posts: 2,511 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Boomtown

    How are you today? 

    You ask if you need to inform the DWP, what benefit is this in relation to? 
    Online Community Coordinator

    Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
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  • BoomtownBoomtown Member Posts: 15 Connected
    ESA contribution based i think the one where i hsve to pay for all my prescriptions dental work eyes test ect ect
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  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    edited September 2020
    Hi,

    No, this isn't classed as a change of circumstances. If you are already in the Support Group then you can't get a higher award than this for ESA.
    Community champion and proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice i have given to members here on the community.
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  • chiariedschiarieds Community champion Posts: 6,897 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Boomtown - I'm sorry you now need a wheelchair, but hope it may give you a bit more independence. If you are in receipt of a benefit such as PIP, then you are asked to let the DWP know if your circumstances change in that your condition may have worsened/improved. Unless a worsening of your condition means you may be entitled to a higher rate of PIP, then there is no need to let them know, just leave mentioning this until your next review.
    Have a look at the following info on the activities/descriptors to check if you think you could gain more points & therefore a higher rate of PIP. If you already receive the enhanced rate for both components (activities of daily living & mobility) then there would be no point in notifying the DWP of a change in circumstances. Please see: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Scores-for-PIP-Descriptors-2020.pdf
    Hope this helps, if not please say. :)

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  • janer1967janer1967 Community champion Posts: 7,447 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Boomtown I am sorry to hear you condition has got worse and now you are using a wheelchair

    How are you adapting to using it ? they can be quite a challenge at first. I still bang into doors and things but maybe thats just my eyesight

    Self propelled chairs are very hard to use when outdoors and the surface isnt flat, and reaching stuff off supermarket shelves and high worktops. But you will soon adapt

    I have a power chair now which I use outdoors as it saves somebody having to push me everywhere

    Good luck with it all
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  • BoomtownBoomtown Member Posts: 15 Connected
    Thanks for that 
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