Pip health change

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cdf99
cdf99 Online Community Member Posts: 28 Connected

hi everyone im on pip for my mobility but ive recently been put on blood pressure medication is this something i need to update them about? If so what happens then.
my current pip award runs until 2028.
this medication has not made my arthritis better or worse.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    No, this isn't something you need to report. When reporting changes you need to be very careful because they will send more forms to fill in and return. Another assessment is most likely too. Once a decision is made it could either remain the same, be increased or even stopped completely.

    You should only ever report changes if you're 100% certain you could score more points for a higher award.

  • cdf99
    cdf99 Online Community Member Posts: 28 Connected

    thank you for this info. They way they word letters and things about updating them of any changes to your health makes you think you have to tell them every little thing.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    You're welcome. Yes, indeed, it's very misleading. Not all changes need to be reported. If that was the case can you imagine how long the backlogs would be? Blimey, they're long enough already.

  • birdwatcher
    birdwatcher Online Community Member Posts: 128 Empowering

    I was awarded low rate PIP for daily living some years ago. Time passed. My arthritis got worse and was awarded high rate mobility because my walkings really bad now. That would have been perhaps 18 months ago.

    Since then I've become incontinent, I can't have a bath anymore so settle for a strip wash. Used to love cooking, that's gone to the wall now because I tend to drop things. That's just a couple of things. I'm pretty sure I'd qualify for higher rate daily living now . But I don't know whether to apply or not. I'm worried about losing what I do get. I've not actually seen my GP since before lockdown although did have visits from a physio and a lady from the falls clinic a few years ago. Think I've spoken to my doctor three times in the last 5 years. Firstly she wanted to examine me because of the waterworks problem. There's no one to take me to the surgery, I'm effectively housebound apart from 4 or 5 times a year when my son visits and takes me out .( He works all hours and lives way down south). Second time was when she changed my meds. And third was after I refused further tests following bowel cancer screening. But she knows I'm still alive as she keeps signing off my prescriptions! 😁 .

    So I really don't know what to do. Any bright ideas please?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    Whether it's possible to score more points for a higher award will depend on where exactly you scored the points for your current award. A worsening of condition doesn't automatically entitle you to more points for a higher award.

    If you're claiming for just physical conditions then being house bound will not score you any further points for the daily living part.

    When you report changes to your health you'll be sent another form to fill in and returned. Once a decision is made your award could either remain the same, be reduced, increased or even stopped completely.

    I'd advise you to look to see where you scored those points on your current award and then have a read of this.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

    There's a lot of information to read in that link so please take your time, there's no rush. Once you've read it hopefully, you'll understand the descriptors a little more and can decide whether to proceed with any changes.

  • birdwatcher
    birdwatcher Online Community Member Posts: 128 Empowering

    Many thanks poppy, I shall have a look at that x