Hello,
Just had a thought about short term ESA and PIP awards when they say the review is 12 months or 18 months.
So you have a health condition but they say they’re maybe a functional change. So functional change means you’re able to cope with your condition or disability better.
So for instance if you need CBT but it fails and you move onto I don’t know counselling. And that fails. But you then move into like a psychologist etc.
Point I’m trying to make is does the law protect you from trying to get better with your conditions so at the point of review you can say you’ve improved etc.
Or would that be seen as benefit fraud if you’re improving and claiming benefits as you’re progressing closer to your review date. Is there some kind of protection by law for this kind of stuff?
Because I know some of the members have said slight changes etc do not need to be reported and so on but I can’t help but think as soon as you notice the slightest bit of improvement you’re not entitled to the benefits you’re receiving.
I’ve even started setting aside money incase they ask for an overpayment. Call me paranoid but I feel like the system is set up to penalise people for getting better and coming off benefits. Rather than giving people benefits to get better then come off them when it’s necessary.
