DLA to PIP Transfer

Currently, I am still on DLA indefinitely. I am 59.

I do supported employment work under the 15 hours a week and am in the ESA Support Group.

I have Schizophrenia, Panic Disorder and Sleep Apnoea, and the set up has been for a number of years now and its kept me stable.

I know soon my DLA will be assessed to see if I qualify for PIP.

I wasnt on any benefits for many years, about the first 20 of my working life. Always becoming unwell, hospitalised and constantly having to stop working many many different types of jobs.

I am aware of the stresses that my conditions can get like when under stress, so need minimum levels.

Now I know most people would be worried about being reassessed for the transfer from DLA to PIP and i did initially feel uncomfortable being on DLA, but community mental health services consistently advised me to stay on it.

Now, a question I have is, I am worried that with being re evaluated for PIP, to not apply for it. Just in case they decide I was on it at too high a level and decide to prosecute me for being on too much when they awarded it.

I was put on medium rate care and low rate mobility.

Never been on benefits previous to this, but now its helped me be more stable. I was hospitalised six times before i got DLA.

Am just asking as I hope its an irrational fear, but if I did apply for PIP, I am reluctant as its causing me to believe they not only wont give it any to me, but then they will take money retrospectively.

I do still have Schizophrenia, Panic Disorder and Sleep Apnoe, wear a mask at night but the meds are helpful and i am in a settled position. I do not drink any alcohol at all now, which helps.

It would affect my living arrangements fairly soon if all this happened and the stress would impact on me a lot.

Has anyone else ever had these fears and not applied for transfer to PIP or applied for PIP and other monies have been taken.

Hope it is ok to ask all this

Many thanks