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Change of circumstances.
- Noodles
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3 years 5 months ago #264761 by Noodles
Change of circumstances. was created by Noodles
Hello everyone,
It’s been a long time since I used this fantastic website to previously help Hubby with both ESA and eventually DLA . For the record Hubby is retired now at 69 years old. We get Pension credit instead of ESA and Hubby was awarded the High rate mobility and Middle rate for care back in 2012 for Chronic arthritis.. Since then Hubby has now been diagnosed and slowly declined to Stage 5 dementia in the form of Alzheimer’s and due to his age he is still awaiting the transfer from DLA to PIP.. I recently ( August) informed the DWP by telephone of the Change of circumstances and steady decline of Hubby but as yet have not heard anything or had any sort of acknowledgement despite reporting this. I did expect Hubby’s change of circumstances would automatically trigger a PIP referral but as yet nothing?
Not sure what to do?
It’s been a long time since I used this fantastic website to previously help Hubby with both ESA and eventually DLA . For the record Hubby is retired now at 69 years old. We get Pension credit instead of ESA and Hubby was awarded the High rate mobility and Middle rate for care back in 2012 for Chronic arthritis.. Since then Hubby has now been diagnosed and slowly declined to Stage 5 dementia in the form of Alzheimer’s and due to his age he is still awaiting the transfer from DLA to PIP.. I recently ( August) informed the DWP by telephone of the Change of circumstances and steady decline of Hubby but as yet have not heard anything or had any sort of acknowledgement despite reporting this. I did expect Hubby’s change of circumstances would automatically trigger a PIP referral but as yet nothing?
Not sure what to do?
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- LL26
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3 years 4 months ago #264791 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Change of circumstances.
Hi Noodles,
I'm sorry to hear that your husband isn't so well. I would have thought that you woukd have been transferred to PIP, or alternatively that DWP would have been in touch to revise DLA. You could phone DWP (DLA)to see what has happened. However, as you are on high rate mobility and mid rate care you won't get any additional money ie high rate care unless you can show that your husband has both night AND day care needs for a significant portion of the day and night. Even if eg his day needs are worse.
I'm not sure if due to your husband's age ge will get transferred to PIP.
Of course PIP is points based, so your husband may or may not get more money under PIP, as it will depend on the nature of disability/help required each day/night.
You may therefore wish to have a think before you chase DWP.
I hope this helps.
LL26
I'm sorry to hear that your husband isn't so well. I would have thought that you woukd have been transferred to PIP, or alternatively that DWP would have been in touch to revise DLA. You could phone DWP (DLA)to see what has happened. However, as you are on high rate mobility and mid rate care you won't get any additional money ie high rate care unless you can show that your husband has both night AND day care needs for a significant portion of the day and night. Even if eg his day needs are worse.
I'm not sure if due to your husband's age ge will get transferred to PIP.
Of course PIP is points based, so your husband may or may not get more money under PIP, as it will depend on the nature of disability/help required each day/night.
You may therefore wish to have a think before you chase DWP.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Noodles
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3 years 4 months ago #264811 by Noodles
Replied by Noodles on topic Change of circumstances.
Thank you for the reply LL26.
According to his birthdate in 1952 Hubby will apparently be transferred from DLA to PIP but like many others we have been waiting for this to happen since 2017. As for the COC forgive me but I was under the impression a change of circumstances such as Alzheimer’s HAD to be reported otherwise when we do get transferred to PIP they might ask why the diagnosis was not reported earlier? For the record Hubby’s needs have changed but after ending horror story’s about COC not being reported I was more concerned at the lack of correspondence form the DWP after I spent an hour waiting to report Hubby’s situation and Change of Circumstances. The lady on the phone Sadie she would “Inform the relevant departments “ but like I said as yet we have heard nothing?
According to his birthdate in 1952 Hubby will apparently be transferred from DLA to PIP but like many others we have been waiting for this to happen since 2017. As for the COC forgive me but I was under the impression a change of circumstances such as Alzheimer’s HAD to be reported otherwise when we do get transferred to PIP they might ask why the diagnosis was not reported earlier? For the record Hubby’s needs have changed but after ending horror story’s about COC not being reported I was more concerned at the lack of correspondence form the DWP after I spent an hour waiting to report Hubby’s situation and Change of Circumstances. The lady on the phone Sadie she would “Inform the relevant departments “ but like I said as yet we have heard nothing?
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- BIS
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3 years 4 months ago #264821 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Change of circumstances.
Hi Noodles
You are right to inform them. It is not unusual for people to have to wait a long time for a change of circumstances. Sometimes it takes months and there have certainly been members who have waited 6 - 8 months to hear back. The important thing is you did it and I hope that you have kept a record of when you did it.
My advice to people is after you have held a conversation with the DWP always write them a letter confirming what was said that can be added to your records and keep a copy for yourself. It doesn't matter if you haven't done that - but it can be harder for them to say - they know nothing about it at a later date.
You can always contact them again to see what is happening. They are dealing with a backlog and change of circumstances don't have such a high priority as new claimants at the current time.
BIS
You are right to inform them. It is not unusual for people to have to wait a long time for a change of circumstances. Sometimes it takes months and there have certainly been members who have waited 6 - 8 months to hear back. The important thing is you did it and I hope that you have kept a record of when you did it.
My advice to people is after you have held a conversation with the DWP always write them a letter confirming what was said that can be added to your records and keep a copy for yourself. It doesn't matter if you haven't done that - but it can be harder for them to say - they know nothing about it at a later date.
You can always contact them again to see what is happening. They are dealing with a backlog and change of circumstances don't have such a high priority as new claimants at the current time.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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