Can I answer Yes and No?

Hello, my 18 year old daughter is doing a review of her PIP which I am helping her with, and she is unsure how to answer some of the questions as she has had a five month period of worse health than normal. She is slowly improving but is not back to where she was when she was awarded PIP two years ago. At that time she was awarded the higher rate for both categories.

For instance, there are certain categories where she would currently (and for the past 5 months) answer Yes to needing help with activities like toileting and washing, but projecting 9 months ahead, we might say that No she doesn't need help. We think (and hope) that she will be able to walk to the toilet and go without assistance in the next couple of months. The same goes for washing and bathing although it may take a little longer for her to achieve that. She has ME/CFS and POTS. I'm really not sure how she should answer these questions. Could you advise us please?

Hi marmalade

Do not try to project how she will be in 9 months' time. Frankly, that makes no sense for a PIP review. It will just confuse them.

The DWP want to know how she is now and whether her condition has deteriorated since her last review (which it has).

If, in 9 months' time, her condition improves to the point that it would affect her award, then you can inform the DWP that there has been a change of circumstances. You only do this when it has improved.

BIS