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Change of Circumstances for PIP
- SpaghettiSauce
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3 weeks 14 hours ago #315975 by SpaghettiSauce
Change of Circumstances for PIP was created by SpaghettiSauce
I recently requested (foolishly you may say) a change of circumstances for PIP. I have enhanced PIP Living and Mobility and also have just been granted ESA.
Previously when assessed, I was unable to do anything at all, I could barely walk from room to room and so, in some ways, although small, I have improved. I couldn’t do dishes before, which is why I requested the change as now I can in small amounts, but I don’t know how much or what is considered an improvement in terms of PIP (and if that would then impact the ESA?)
I think I need to declare mobility as changed but I’m not sure what else from the list below. Please could you offer some advice?
1) Do I, on areas of no change on the Change of Circumstances form, just say no change, or do I have to fully list everything out again in terms of where I am at?
2) I was not able to cook at all originally but can now microwave (preprepared only) once or sometimes twice a week. I can also peel and chop 2-3 potatoes roughly once a fortnight (although I have to do it bit by bit and it takes me around an hour). Does all of this get declared?
3) If I can sit in the shower and let water run over me once every two weeks too does this count? I can’t wash my hair, my partner still does that and bathes me, but sometimes, I just want so much to try as I feel so useless.
4) Dressing and undressing – I no longer need to rest all the time for this and can sometimes do this without a stool. However, I only manage this around 3 days a week still so I don’t know if I declare this as the method has changed even if the number of days have not? (though I think I incorrectly said 4 days on my ESA call ☹ )
5) My “going out” has changed a little. Before I could only go to the beach in the wheelchair or to my partners house to rest there. We had tried a coffee shop but unsuccessfully. I now am able to do the coffee shop and I’m hoping for the first time in ten months I might be able to manage a quiet short restaurant meal next week. The coffee out will cause me to need to lay down again when home to rest for upwards of 2 hours, the meal if it happens I should imagine much longer, but they are still improvements I guess? I also have been given a mobility scooter which I didn’t originally have so I do sometimes go out for 10-30 minutes on that with my partner.
6) I would like to try and study for half an hour roughly 2-3 times a week if possible. I haven’t tried yet. Am I allowed to do that? Do I need to declare that?
I want to be honest on the form but also need to check I am correct in doing so and not just shooting myself in the foot. Please could you advise?
Previously when assessed, I was unable to do anything at all, I could barely walk from room to room and so, in some ways, although small, I have improved. I couldn’t do dishes before, which is why I requested the change as now I can in small amounts, but I don’t know how much or what is considered an improvement in terms of PIP (and if that would then impact the ESA?)
I think I need to declare mobility as changed but I’m not sure what else from the list below. Please could you offer some advice?
1) Do I, on areas of no change on the Change of Circumstances form, just say no change, or do I have to fully list everything out again in terms of where I am at?
2) I was not able to cook at all originally but can now microwave (preprepared only) once or sometimes twice a week. I can also peel and chop 2-3 potatoes roughly once a fortnight (although I have to do it bit by bit and it takes me around an hour). Does all of this get declared?
3) If I can sit in the shower and let water run over me once every two weeks too does this count? I can’t wash my hair, my partner still does that and bathes me, but sometimes, I just want so much to try as I feel so useless.
4) Dressing and undressing – I no longer need to rest all the time for this and can sometimes do this without a stool. However, I only manage this around 3 days a week still so I don’t know if I declare this as the method has changed even if the number of days have not? (though I think I incorrectly said 4 days on my ESA call ☹ )
5) My “going out” has changed a little. Before I could only go to the beach in the wheelchair or to my partners house to rest there. We had tried a coffee shop but unsuccessfully. I now am able to do the coffee shop and I’m hoping for the first time in ten months I might be able to manage a quiet short restaurant meal next week. The coffee out will cause me to need to lay down again when home to rest for upwards of 2 hours, the meal if it happens I should imagine much longer, but they are still improvements I guess? I also have been given a mobility scooter which I didn’t originally have so I do sometimes go out for 10-30 minutes on that with my partner.
6) I would like to try and study for half an hour roughly 2-3 times a week if possible. I haven’t tried yet. Am I allowed to do that? Do I need to declare that?
I want to be honest on the form but also need to check I am correct in doing so and not just shooting myself in the foot. Please could you advise?
The following user(s) said Thank You: bluejay52
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- BIS
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2 weeks 6 days ago #315992 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Change of Circumstances for PIP
Hi SpaghettiSauce
I admire you for trying to be honest, but I wish you had come on the forum and asked the question first. PIP is judged on people's condition for the "majority of the time". It's great that you have seen some signs of improvement -- but I've carefully read what you said, and this is not what I would classify as a change of circumstances. You can prepare a meal now, but only once a week, so most of the time you can't. Nothing has changed. Looking at the list of things you have said, I can't see a single thing you should currently be reporting to the DWP.
However, if you believe that your mobility has improved so much that you should no longer qualify for enhanced mobility or perhaps a mobility award at all, then you will have to decide which specific questions you want to mention to them. You need to check back on the form and which areas you think have changed - I can't advise you on this one because nothing you have said jumps out to me from the two parts of the mobility award. You use a mobility scooter and a wheelchair - so I assume there is going to be no change on the distance question and if you still need support to go out for the majority of the time that is unchanged. It honestly doesn't matter to the DWP if you have managed to go to a cafe and you couldn't before. It would matter if you suddenly managed to go out five days a week, unaccompanied and could get yourself out and back home in a timely fashion in the same manner as someone without your condition.
There are people who study and get PIP. Until you have arranged it and found something that suits you, there is no need to say anything to the DWP. You need to know all the circumstances before you report anything.
BIS
I admire you for trying to be honest, but I wish you had come on the forum and asked the question first. PIP is judged on people's condition for the "majority of the time". It's great that you have seen some signs of improvement -- but I've carefully read what you said, and this is not what I would classify as a change of circumstances. You can prepare a meal now, but only once a week, so most of the time you can't. Nothing has changed. Looking at the list of things you have said, I can't see a single thing you should currently be reporting to the DWP.
However, if you believe that your mobility has improved so much that you should no longer qualify for enhanced mobility or perhaps a mobility award at all, then you will have to decide which specific questions you want to mention to them. You need to check back on the form and which areas you think have changed - I can't advise you on this one because nothing you have said jumps out to me from the two parts of the mobility award. You use a mobility scooter and a wheelchair - so I assume there is going to be no change on the distance question and if you still need support to go out for the majority of the time that is unchanged. It honestly doesn't matter to the DWP if you have managed to go to a cafe and you couldn't before. It would matter if you suddenly managed to go out five days a week, unaccompanied and could get yourself out and back home in a timely fashion in the same manner as someone without your condition.
There are people who study and get PIP. Until you have arranged it and found something that suits you, there is no need to say anything to the DWP. You need to know all the circumstances before you report anything.
BIS
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- SpaghettiSauce
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2 weeks 5 days ago #316015 by SpaghettiSauce
Replied by SpaghettiSauce on topic Change of Circumstances for PIP
Hi BIS
Thank you, I appreciate your reply.
How do I complete the form please if my only real change is the dishes in that case? Do I just say no change on all the sections and add the dishes at the end? I obviously have to do something now it's registered but didn't know if saying no change is sufficient or if I have to go through in length like on the original form.
For studies, I have an existing study plan which I started before I was unwell so it has just sat there undone for the last year. I didn't know if I needed to mention it if I restarted it as it's online.
Thank you again.
Thank you, I appreciate your reply.
How do I complete the form please if my only real change is the dishes in that case? Do I just say no change on all the sections and add the dishes at the end? I obviously have to do something now it's registered but didn't know if saying no change is sufficient or if I have to go through in length like on the original form.
For studies, I have an existing study plan which I started before I was unwell so it has just sat there undone for the last year. I didn't know if I needed to mention it if I restarted it as it's online.
Thank you again.
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- BIS
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2 weeks 5 days ago #316017 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Change of Circumstances for PIP
Hi SpaghettiSauce
If you pre-empt what might happen in the future, the DWP tends to assume you are already doing it or believes you are more capable than your current health might allow.
Claimants don't have to give the DWP a continuous rundown of everything they do and every small change. They do have to inform the DWP if their health improves so they can decide whether they keep the same award, downgrade it, or remove it altogether. Sometimes it's obvious that someone's health has improved (e.g., a broken leg mends and mobility improves), and other things aren't as clear. Everyone has to judge this individually, and not everyone gets it right.
I can't honestly say exactly what you should write. Since you put in for a change of circumstances, they'll expect some sort of response, but since most things seem unchanged, I would tick no change and explain what hasn't changed. You don't need to write as much as you did the first time.
BIS
If you pre-empt what might happen in the future, the DWP tends to assume you are already doing it or believes you are more capable than your current health might allow.
Claimants don't have to give the DWP a continuous rundown of everything they do and every small change. They do have to inform the DWP if their health improves so they can decide whether they keep the same award, downgrade it, or remove it altogether. Sometimes it's obvious that someone's health has improved (e.g., a broken leg mends and mobility improves), and other things aren't as clear. Everyone has to judge this individually, and not everyone gets it right.
I can't honestly say exactly what you should write. Since you put in for a change of circumstances, they'll expect some sort of response, but since most things seem unchanged, I would tick no change and explain what hasn't changed. You don't need to write as much as you did the first time.
BIS
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