pip change of circumstances

penpo

Hi can anyone tell me if after your assessment for change of circumstances for your pip you are then awarded the higher rate than the one you were on will it be backdated to the date you informed dwp of the changes please

poppy123456

If you’re awarded a higher rate it starts from when you rang to report the changes. 

penpo

thank you, although you may be able to help me on this as my partner was on the lower rate eg. £345 a month i reported change of circumstances in june 2022 had the assessment on the 27th October 2022,  he was due his next payment of £345, on the 16th of november however he received a payment of £532 today i rang pip and it stated he is next due a payment on the 16th november of £416 after putting in his details, i didnt speak to anyone as i was still holding after 40 minutes i am assuming they have now increased his claim to enhanced, we have not had anything in writing or email, and no backdate payment, what would you suggest i do please

poppy123456

The automated payment line isn’t the most reliable and has been known to give incorrect information.
You said he was on lower rate receiving £345 per month, which is standard for both parts.
The payment you received of £532 suggests that the daily living may have been increased to Enhanced and the mobility has remained the same at standard. The amount received would be the difference between his previous award and new award. 

You will need wait for the decision letter and it will explain everything in there. It’s not unusual to receive money owed before the decision letter.
Thinking about the dates, the assessment was only last Thursday, I’m very surprised that a decision has been made so quickly and you’ve received money in your bank within such a short space of time.

penpo

thank you poppy, so it looks like the £532 he received today would be the backpayment of the enhanced and his new monthly payment would now be the £416 a month.  i appreciate your knowledge and help

poppy123456

The £416 doesn’t make any sense. Enhanced daily living and standard mobility is £467.40 every 4 weeks. PIP is 4 weekly and not monthly.
A payment due on 16th November doesn’t make sense either because that’s only 2 weeks away. As I advised the automated payment line is known to give incorrect information. 

The decision letter will explain everything.

penpo

Thank you poppy I totally agree re very short time since assessment I am his appointee & was shocked to see the payment in the bank this morning with his national insurance number & dwp pip hence I tried ringing them. I will let you know what mystery this is when we receive the letter, in the meantime thank you for your assistance.

penpo

hi poppy, got confirmation this morning from dwp and yes even though the assessment was last thursday they have now given him the standard living enhancement and the payment in the bank yesterday was the backdate owed and he is now being given 467 every four weeks starting from the 16th november till at least 2025.  thank you for your help

poppy123456

Good news. Just so that you're aware, there's no such award as standard living enhancement. Based on that amount he will have been awarded Enhanced daily living and standard mobility.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/how-much-you-get-and-how-long/

penpo

hi poppy sorry I meant that I just wanted to tell you that somehow pip can and did take only a week to make the decision & put in place hopefully that will give others hope.  

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing your experience with us @penpo. As you say, hopefully, your experience will give others hope.

Really positive to hear PIP only took a week to make the decision. Really happy for you