Do I need to mention new treatment plan?

bluefox

Hi,

So I’m having new treatment for my conditions before my next assessment in December 2022. Do I need to make the DWP aware of this? Such as telling them I’m having a new kind of therapy etc or?

do I just need to tell them when I’m better? New to benefits

poppy123456

You don’t need to tell them about this before your review. When you receive your forms for your review then you can give them all the information in the form. 

Remember that PIP is about how your conditions affect you at least 50% of the time. 

bluefox

Hi this is for ESA

However by 50%, do you mean 50% of a week, a year? Or?

poppy123456

Ah sorry, my mistake, it’s late and it’s been a long day!

For ESA it’s different. The work capability assessment is about your ability to do any type of work. 

You don’t need to tell them about any treatment plans. When you eventually receive the forms again then you can tell them all about your conditions and how they affect you.

bluefox

Okay. See my original assessment talks about CBT therapy but that’s been and gone now and my condition is now being treated by psychotherapy instead. 

Can I ask what do you mean by the 50% rule?

poppy123456

Changing your treatment isn’t going to affect your ESA. 

The 50% rule applies to PIP and not ESA. 

Just so that you’re aware your ESA award is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise and it doesn’t have an end date like PIP does. This means that you may not be reviewed in December 2022. 

bluefox

Oh okay. Universal Credit took my ESA decision and they told me I would have a review at the end of December 2022. 

poppy123456

The timescales they give are just a guide.