PIP change of circumstances

[Onedaymore1]

Hi everyone,

I was awarded basic PIP for both daily activities and mobility.

I’ve now become worse with symptoms and mobility and have now acquired severe sleep apnea with CPAP therapy machine.

I was awarded 10 & 10 points in Sept 2023.

I wrote a letter to PIP and explained the change in circumstances. They have sent me a text to say they are sending me the “how your conditions affect you form”.

I felt an instant jolt! Oh no I can’t go through a whole PIP experience/med assessment again.

Is this the standard procedure/process for everyone?

Has anyone ever completed a change of circumstances by telephone or letter?

I resorted to sending a letter because I had tried to call numerous times and help for upto 50 mins at a time. This makes me feel even worse health wise & it’s really not fair

Thank you in advance for any responses.

🙏

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, from what I understand. When you want to update a change of circumstances it's like wiping the slate clean. But I believe you will still receive your PIP untill a new assessment of your new circumstances have been made.

I see you were awarded PIP just 6 months ago. Many would have probley waited untill their award was been due for review. But that's a personal choice.

Once you have reported your change in circumstances, the DWP will write to you and let you know how it affects your PIP claim. Based on the changes to your health or personal circumstances the DWP may want to reassess you for PIP – as you may be entitled to a higher rate or a new component, or you may get less.

I hope things go well for you and maybe you can get help to fill in the forms if that is what you are asked to do.

Momo

[Onedaymore1 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi & thank you for replying 🙏

Oh dear, looks like I’m going to have to go through it all again with PIP.

It’s so hard claiming this help. I am just about to have my job terminated on capability grounds due to long term sickness absence.

I need whatever I can claim due to financial implications of not being able to work.

It’s just so hard when you’re feeling poorly and stressed 😩

[Dizzytwo in reply to Onedaymore1]

Hi, maybe you could get intouch with our benifits advisor. I am sure they will be able to tell you what benifits you may be entitled to. You will find the information on the link below.healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Hope this helps.

[Onedaymore1 in reply to Dizzytwo]

I keep meaning to but I’m too exhausted most of the time. I also, have trouble forming the words to begin to explain my situation in a meaningful way. I end up waffling, losing train of thought & forgetting what I’ve been advised & then I feel anxious and stressed & have to take pain killers & off to bed ! (If you have FMS you’ll get where I’m coming from 🤭). Only my bed was my sanctuary & where I went for time out! but, now I have to wear this CPAP mask for obstructive Sleep Apnoea, it’s now an upsetting chore trying to get to sleep 😊. Hopefully, I will get used to it soon x

[Badbessie]

If you have proof of the change in circumstances then a more formal assessment is not commenced. For example I have a lung condition which following COVID deteriorated and limited my ability to walk distances. For evidence I had the lung function test results and the physiotherapist report and I was awarded standard mobility without a face to face. Sadly my wife had the opposite despite ample evidence. Her carpel tunnel operation failed and the damage was permanent following that her knee operation was unsuccessful and then her operation to her foot did not give a good result. The affects of this changed her abilities in a number of areas and due to this we claimed extra points in various areas of care and mobility. However she did have a face and was awarded enhanced for both areas.

[Onedaymore1 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you for your reply and helpful insight from personal experience. I would say my changes are on a par with your situation. Something I was awarded standard & 10 points for has worsened. I have explained in detail and sent my specialist letters. Trouble is I just can’t get through on the phone. I have not got the stamina or the cognitive function/space to hold on daily to DWP for 1+ ☺️

[Smilesalot]

Oh poor you sweetie.I'm sending you heartfelt hugs to strengthen you so you can get through this.!

❤🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗Dawn x

[Onedaymore1 in reply to Smilesalot]

Thank you, your kind wishes mean so much. No one quite understands how cruel & stressful the whole thing is unless, you’ve been/are in the PIP system. It actually makes me feel worse each time I have to have any contact with DWP/PIP. Then when you are “fortunate” enough to get an award, you can’t settle/relax as you don’t quite trust it won’t just be taken away at a review or a Government change. 😩

[Smilesalot in reply to Onedaymore1]

Hi sweetie 😀.I'm just starting out on my PIP adventure.

I'm on esa and DLA.

They want to change this meh. I know I should get more money as this have gotten much worse over the past 8years eep. I know I'm naughty but assessment s terrify me. I always end up going to tribunal but getting a lot more money.I

I end up tearful and angry at them when they ask stupid questions.

At the moment they're doing a financial review for

My living standards or whatever. Hoping to get help for around the house.

I have nothing to hide but I'm irritated at my finances being ogled??

I really hope you get the money you deserve!!!

Hugs sweetie Dawn 🤗

[Onedaymore1]

thank you for your message. You sound tenacious 🤭. I’m a bit like that, I first applied for PIP and got 0 points for everything (oh, how steep the learning curve was from that point!). I put in MAR and was awarded 4 points for each component. I took it to tribunal and I couldn't attend in person as I had originally said I would (anyone would think you could plan ahead, weeks/months in advance when living with FMS/MS/CFS 😳) due to being in a very bad and protracted flare up. I even added that I was asking as a “reasonable adjustment” under the equality act. I contacted the court a few days before by phone and email. I even got a response from the court to say they had my instructions that I was unable to attend in person. They Eve said they had informed the court clerk so he/she could mark my appeal as such. So, the Appeal went ahead & it was decided against me. One of the biggest reasons was that I didn’t attend my hearing! They really went to town on this & made it sound like I just couldn’t be bothered to turn up /wasting their time. Also, they said that because I was employed they didn’t believe I had the descriptor limitation/basically said I was lying. I provided months of FIT Notes from GP as supporting evidence that I had been unfit to work for the preceding 7 months & gave historical info about long abscences from working. I also, explained /gave evidence to explain the Reasonable Adjustments my Employer had put in place (even with those I couldn’t work). I was so upset everytime I thought about it & it made my emotional and physical health/flare up much worse. One day, I felt up to having a go so I took a deep breath and made a case to have the judgement set aside & reheard on the basis of a point of law (discrimination/failure to make read adjustments). The response I got back had ignored my point of law & basically reiterated the first judgment outcome and reasons 😡. I felt so deflated, angry & many other feelings I decided it was really bad for my health. I put in a fresh PIP application instead & got refused. I put in MAR & got basic award 10 points for each component!

I had run out of steam by this point and suspected that if I took it further I would somehow be punished by the new basic PIP award being taken away! And by then, I suppose I was out of the time given to appeal the appeal 😤 (which, by the way feel too short for applicants with wildly fluctuating/flare ups to work with 😡)

I’m thankful for that but, it just shows the whole sodding PIP system/PIP appeal system isn’t fit for purpose! Don’t DWP know how much it’s costing them in extra manpower /backdate awards/court costs/extra phone lines needed blah blah blah. It’s a mess and basically can you tell, I am not a fan!

Sorry everyone I got on a “ranty roll” there! 🫢