achieved SVR, will i still get ESA and PIP?

Hi - i am currently receiving ESA (support Group - contribution based) and PIP (daily living component at enhanced rate).

I have recently completed 6 months Harvoni treatment and at 3 months post treatment i am still acheiving SVR and looking like it will hopefully be the same at 6 months and officially cleared

Due to the ravishes of Hep C, i also suffer from Cirrhosis of the Liver, Esophageal varices, Portal Hypertension and Diabetes.

I do feel better and have more energy, but still suffer with crippling fatigue, foggy head and insomnia (probably due to the Cirrhosis)

My question is this, if i achieve SVR at 6 months and i am officially clear of the virus i presume i will need to inform ESA and PIP, but will i still be entitled to these benefits due to my other health issues if my symptoms are virtually unchanged ? In other words will i now have to go throught the nightmare of being re-assessed.

many thanks

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This is a tricky one!

You could argue that being virus-free makes no difference as it is not that, per se, that causes your difficulties. However, I can't see DWP agreeing that that opinion!

To avoid problems in the future, I think you probably have to notify DWP, As you fear, this will probably trigger a reassessment and all that entails

If/when you do notify, make it as clear as you possibly can that your limitations continue as they are caused by things other than your viral load.

Don't forget to use our ESA guide when completing the ESA50

ESA claims and appeals

You might want to bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future. This will allow you to return with further questions/comments without having to start a new topic each time. It helps us enormously when everything relating to the same claim is kept in one place - and I hope you will find it useful too

Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated. i honestly don't think i could go through that again, not sure my health could take it!!

i realise this is probably not advisable, (just thinking out load really) but if i were to simply not inform the DWP about my SVR and to argue my case at a later date, if i lost, i would presumably then have to pay back any benefits claimed during that period?

just reading that back, it sounds dumb, maybe not a good idea.

If i am re-assessed, will i still be in receipt of my current benefits ESA and PIP) while the re-assessment is ongoing?

thanks

If/when i do notify DWP, will i still receive my benefits while i am being reassessed?

thanks

Hi I also achieved SVR 10 years ago but was left with persisting debilitating sides from the interferon so understand where you are at. Explain to the DWP that you have just been through gruelling immunotherapy and although you have achieved SVR you are suffering with side effects from the treatment and are not yet recovered.You could ask your hep c nurse for a letter confirming your situation. Congratulations on attaining SVR!