Change of circumstances for PIP - my experience

This is my first post but I have been exploring this site for a few weeks now. I apologise for the long post but I thought I’d post about my experience as I know they’re are a lot of anxious people waiting for a decision on their PIP claim. I live in Merseyside. 

I was  diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my early 30s and 15 years ago with osteoarthritis, resulting in a hip replacement my 40s. By the time of my RA diagnosis I had been unwell for a number of years and by then the joints in my hands and feet were already badly damaged. 

I claimed PIP in 2018 and was awarded 11 points for daily living (standard rate) and 4 points for mobility (no award). I was disappointed but accepted the decision. But since lockdown my mobility has reduced and I am no longer able to get in and out of the bath so I decided to tell DWP about my change in circumstances. 

I phoned early March 2021 and was sent a form which I completed and returned early April. I was told it would take about 18 weeks for a decision. I had heard nothing by the end of July so I rang DWP who told me the forms had been sent to the Independent Assessment Services early April and the delay was with them. I rang the IAS and they arranged for a telephone assessment the next day, end of July.  The HCP rang as arranged and was very helpful, I had made notes with examples for each of the activities I struggle with/can’t do and she prompted me in some places.  I explained that although my RA is controlled by a number of drugs, and I rarely have a flare-up, the damage to my joints was caused many years ago and cannot be reversed.

The day after my telephone assessment I received a text message from DWP to say they had received the report. Last week I received a letter to say they had all the information they needed to make a decision. 

Today I received my award letter. I was awarded 12 points for daily living, so the enhanced rate, the extra point being for needing help to get in and out of the bath, and 10 points for mobility so the standard rate.  But more importantly it is an ongoing award, so I feel DWP have taken into account the fact that my joints will not repair or recover and I will always need the help.  The money, backdated to March, went into my bank account today.

Since having my telephone assessment I discovered this website and I have read the excellent advice dispensed, especially by [removed by moderator]. After reading the advice on here I was worried that perhaps in my form and assessment I hadn’t given enough information about how I struggled with the daily activities and mobility, but obviously I did. I know in some posts people have been unhappy with Mike [removed by moderator]’ advice, but ignore his advice at your peril; Mike knows what he’s talking about and has years of experience. I had bookmarked some of his excellent advice should I have needed it, both for the award and the length of the award, but luckily I don’t need it.

Remember it’s not the diagnosis that counts but how it affects your daily activities. Also DWP are staffed by poorly paid people trying to do their best in difficult circumstances in the midst of a global pandemic.