Change of condition, When to declare it ?

A brief history.
I'm on indefinate DLA with full mobility and in the ESA support group because of chronic heart and kidney problems.
I've been on them, partly incapacity benefit, for 12 years and never had a medical (thanks mainly to this site)

I now have a new problem that started about a year ago.
I got up one morning and my wrist would bend down but not up, had no strength and I couldn't do things like tie my shoelaces or cut my food up.

After seeing a few of doctors and two consultants I was told I had radial nerve palsey and started a course of physio for this.
In november I saw a consultant who actually listened to me when I suggested it was my spine causing the problems, I'd had spondylosis a while ago.
He sent me for a nerve conductive test which showed a problem with the ulnar nerve, I then had an MRI which showed two arthritic growths on my spine just below the neck, after that I was sent for a deep muscle conductive test which, once again, suggested the spine was the culprit.
I'm now waiing for surgery on my elbow to free up the ulnar nerve to try and stop the muscle wasting that's been caused.

I'm due for PIP assessment this year so I'm not sure whether to declare this new problem now or wait till my assessment.
I'm also unsure which agency it's best to inform first.

Just looking for a bit of guidance really,

Rob.

Hi Dooley, I am going through the same thoughts as yourself.

However, regarding to Gordons point of checking if your area is a live PIP area, if you wish to 'doublecheck' the PIP postcode map, I can suggest you also have a look at Citizen Advice Bureau website-the quickest way of getting to page needed is to:

Google 'CAB/PIP', click on |(what should be) 1st link for CAB, this will then take you to their PIP page. The 2nd 'link' under the paragraph
'Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - where to start' should be 'when can you claim' and this gives dates, areas and postcodes that are liable to be live PIP areas.

Although those people, like you & I, on Indefinite DLA awards, are not to be looked until September this year, as Gordon says, this could be a number of years before everybody in this group are looked at! However, there are some areas which, even those on Indefinite DLA awards, report a change of circumstances, this could trigger an PIP application!

I suggest, it would also depend upon what level award you are currently receiving and how this might equate to a PIP application!

It is extremely important to firstly find out if you do or do not live in a live PIP area when reporting a change of circumstances could result in having to make application to PIP, when you thought you maybe asking for DLA to be looked at again!

Good luck!

Thanks, Gordon.

I've been through the PIP documents and I seem to qualify even without this new problem.
I'm in the green band on that map, West Wales.
I'm a bit cconcerned that if I wait to declare it and they assess me in two or three years, they may questoin why it was not reported sooner.

Dooley wrote: Thanks, Gordon.

I've been through the PIP documents and I seem to qualify even without this new problem.
I'm in the green band on that map, West Wales.
I'm a bit cconcerned that if I wait to declare it and they assess me in two or three years, they may questoin why it was not reported sooner.

Hi D,

If you are in one of "The Green" coloured Postcode Areas on the map, you are definitely in an Active PIP Area.

You PIP Assessment Provider would be Capita.

The DWP would not be interested if you failed to report a Change of Circumstances (C of C) now, due to a deterioration in your conditions which may lead to an increased award.

Obviously, they may be bothered if you failed to report a C of C now that may lead to you losing an award or receiving a lesser one.

So don't let that sway your decision.

If you are to report a C of C, you should do so in writing to The DLA Unit :

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

Before doing so, I would consider this very carefully, as it can be a lot more difficult to gain an Enhanced Mobility PIP Award for "Moving Around" (the walking test) than it was to obtain a HR Mobility Award.

The qualifying criteria are very different, e.g. there is no PIP equivalent of being awarded HR Mobility DLA for being "Virtually Unable to Walk".

It would help if you knew how and why you received your existing DLA Awards.

I would definitely advise you to take our : PIP Self Test, marking yourself very strictly, and to thoroughly read our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

Once you report a C of C, there will be no going back, you will have to go through The PIP Assessment process.

bro58

Thank you both for the advice, I think I'll wait till after the surgery and see how brave I feel.