Pip change of circumstance. My award has gone down. How's this possible? What can I do? — Scope | Disability forum
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Pip change of circumstance. My award has gone down. How's this possible? What can I do?

freedom2021
freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
edited November 2021 in PIP, DLA, and AA
I decided to do the lawful thing and notified dwp/pip that my medication had changed and new illnesses as well as old ones .. this entailed a new assessment….after asking for a copy of the report I’m shocked that my points had gone from 11 to 2 !! And 0 for mobility … how is this possible and where do I go from here … my pip was awarded till dec 2022 but now I’m scared they will just stop it all together .. all the original illnesses and conditions based on my original award are still there… but this one has basically not awarded me any points regarding mental health cause I don’t see a therapist/psychologist and all I said basically no proof and twisted the truth .. dwp say I have to wait for the official award which is 8wks waiting before I can do anything..I’m lost with this one that’s for sure!!

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,358 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi,
    You should never report a worsening of condition without first getting some expert advice. A change of medication and new conditions isn’t classed as a change of circumstances.
    The report you’ve received is just a recommendation, not the decision and no points have been awarded yet. Only a decision maker can award the points. Though they mostly go with the report it has been known for them to go against it.
    Any new decision does overrule your current award.
    Unfortunately all you can do is wait for the decision, which could be anything between 2-12 weeks sometimes longer. Backlogs are huge in a lot of areas.
    Once it’s made if you’re it happy you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • freedom2021
    freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @poppy123456 thankyou for replying … I told them an out the change due to suffering with incontenance and bizarrely this was the only points they awarded me on .. it’s madness that everything else is the same and yet nothing on this … I understand the process of mandatory and appeal as I had to do this the first time I applied which enabled me to finally get it awarded ..but it’s madness how varied reports are … I hate that it looks like I will have to do all the rigmarole again 
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @freedom2021 - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry to say that you don't need to advise the DWP of a medication change, nor any new diagnoses; it's not a legal requirement. It's important to remember that PIP is about 'How your disability affects you,' & if there isn't a change in how this affects your daily living &/mobility looking at the PIP activities/descriptors, then no change of circumstances needs reporting.
    Anyway, sadly that's done, but the assessor's report is just their opinion, & the DWP decision maker will look at all the evidence, & the assessor's report is just part of that, as I see Poppy has already said.
  • freedom2021
    freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @chiarieds hi .. unfortunately my needs had changed due to now suffering with incontinance and need for pads ect that I didn’t suffer with when first applied .. in hindsight I should have not said anything but you live and learn I guess 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,358 Disability Gamechanger
    Just curious. With your current award, did you score points for Activity 5 managing toilet needs? 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • freedom2021
    freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @poppy123456 … nope I didn’t score any points for toilet needs on current claim .. this is a new thing that I did the change of circumstances for and this is the only subject they scored me the 2 points on and all the rest zero points 
  • freedom2021
    freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @poppy123456.. the current claim I was awarded 11 for daily and 4 for mobility.. the assessor has put 2 for daily and zero for mobility 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,358 Disability Gamechanger
    A lot of people who are refused is because of poorly completed claim forms. Your current award was from a Tribunal which could mean your first claim pack was also poorly completed.

    If the worst happens and you’re refused, for the MR request you need to state where and why you think you should have scored those points. Adding a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi there 

    When you completed the form for changes did you detail all your previous issues or just put no change ? 

    Even if there was no change to some activities you still need to give full details of how your condition affects you against the descriptors 
  • freedom2021
    freedom2021 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @janer1967..I did fill in all the form that applied to me and explained all new and previous illnesses/medication ect … I also wrote a letter explaining that Due to COVID my medical investigations had been put on hold but that I now have a new doctor that is going through the task of referring me to all the correct departments such as ear/nose and throat specialist/reumatologyst and gastroenterologist but that there are back logs and a long waiting time … they had the info from the doctor regarding my raised medication blood test chest X-ray ect and are aware that my antidepressant where now on max dose but basically on every point of the report has stated that due to no help with my depression and anxiety that there is no evidence of depression and anxiety but at the end of the report has ticked the box that I have mental health issues and would need help in the future claims and ticked the box for no review date as my illnesses are not going to improve .. basically she has refuse to accept the mental health side of my life ..it’s so confusing … I would be greatly appreciative if you could help me if I do in fact have my pip took away 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,562 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @freedom2021 I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing a lot of stress at the moment, all for trying to do 'the right thing'. Our members are right about the information you do and don't need to provide, and I'm glad you can see the positive side of this, in knowing more for the future. 

    If anything does change with your PIP entitlement you are of course encouraged to reach out here for any help or support that you feel you need. We are here to support you. Let us know when you hear more and we'll be here.

    It seems in the meantime the best thing to do is to focus on something else, spend time with close friends or family, do something you enjoy, and try to relax. One of the best ways to prepare yourself for potential change is to make sure you are feeling as settled as you can. Not only in yourself, but also the people around you- so remind yourself of your support network.

    When the time comes, start a discussion here, and we can help you work through it :) 

    Alex
    Online Community Coordinator
    Scope

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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,358 Disability Gamechanger
    Future appointments really aren't evidence though because it doesn't mean anything other than you've been referred. Same as the evidence for the chest xray. Medical evidence is only useful if it states exactly how your conditions affect you and most only state the basics such as medication and diagnosis etc.
    Once you've had the decision, if you're not happy post back here and someone will advise you further. Do be aware though that if you're refused then any other benefits you're claiming could also be affected.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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