Do I need to report Change of Circumstances or Update PIP?

Hello, Hoping someone can kindly offer some advice on whether I need to report a change of circumstances to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). I'm also in receipt of ESA. I'll try to explain as succinctly as I can... I have both a main physical disability and a significant anxiety problem, both having limited me for 10 years-ish. My PIP award is made up of points for both. I've been working with a really good private therapist throughout 2022 and I continue to work with her, happily making some progress on my problems finally! I also had NHS therapy during 2022 (after years of practically begging for it), which ended as I'd reached the max number of sessions allowed (it was remote, with a less experienced therapist and wasn't that useful) and they have me on a 9-week Mindfulness course right now. At my PIP review in late 2021 I told them I was due to imminently start therapy with the NHS so they are aware and I believe they noted this in the report and for when it should be reviewed, I think I mentioned the Private therapy intention too. My award runs until July 2024. I have not updated them since my review. I haven't been away from home in a v. long time due to my anxiety (and physical mobility) so I scored:

• 10 points in Mobility for "cannot undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress". Plus 8 points for being unable to "move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres".
• 6 points in Care for Preparing Food, Washing and Bathing, Dressing and Undressing as well as 2 points for Mixing with other people (needs prompting) due to anxiety.

Progress from Private Therapy has been slow and small over the year, with setbacks along the way - but I am (happily) making some. To summarise this: SCOOTER USE: I bought a mobility scooter and have been using it to engage in "Exposure Therapy" with therapist supervision (remotely, as we do video call sessions). Over the last year I've been doing small scooter outings around local streets close to my home, trying to build up distance, regularity and time away from home. I am logging it with Google Fit to enjoy seeing my own progress, so I can detail it with full geek accuracy here:

• Through 2022 the furthest point I have been from home is 0.2 miles/350 metres, but at Christmas I was struggling to go even 150 metres away. My outings door to door were 5 to 10 mins on average and I covered in total 0.5 miles or less going around local streets. I'd do these 1 to 3 times most weeks, but not all, with periods of gaps of multiple weeks.
• In 2023, since January, I have pushed myself further - still no further than 350 metres from home yet, but I'm now going out for 15-20 mins, covering up to 0.7 miles on average and doing this 4-6 times every week. Small progress on last year, but increasing nevertheless and hope to keep it up.
• I cannot do this on demand, reliably or repeatedly as the DWP criteria goes - but have to grab opportunities when my physical disability allows it and when I'm mentally able to tolerate/push past anxiety to challenge myself. I often do this in quieter weekday moments, and often there's hardly a person about.

CAR JOURNEY: In 2023 so far (and some rare times over the last few years) I have practiced getting in family/close friend's cars for further outings up to 0.5 miles from home and back. Done this 3 times so far this year and I want to increase regularity, distance with this slowly too. SOCIAL SITUATIONS: Lastly, I'm trying to challenge my social anxiety too - this year I've started having a monthly home Hairdresser visit, bumping into the odd neighbour whilst on my scooter, with v. brief interactions (I avoid and limit these!) and am dealing more confidently with short delivery driver interactions (e.g. food shop delivery) for example. MY QUESTIONS:

1. I think the changes so far aren't very significant, although they are happening and I'm proud/excited to see this - but should I have updated PIP of changes before now?! I really hope not, all this benefits stuff causes me so much anxiety ironically. What I am doing is a form of journey and adding social interactions, albeit on a very small scale and under psychological therapist supervision - I want to increase this but want to be sure I don't mess up in terms of updating PIP correctly.
2. I understand there isn't a hard and fast rule of distance/time/regularity, but is there any guidance on where the line is to report this to PIP as a change or to need to update them on my progress? For example, if I keep progressing and get 0.5 mile away from home, 3 times a week and stay out for 30 mins each time, most weeks OR if I get to my Brother's home 4.5 miles away across town, once a month ... does that move me out of the criteria I scored points for?
3. Lastly, maybe a daft question - I want to apply for a Blue Badge that I'm eligible for, to have this ready for if and when needed, once I am ready to increase car outings (family/friend driving) - but does applying for a Blue Badge now undermine the criteria I score PIP points for?

Very much appreciate anyone kindly reading this and offering any help - Thank You! Glen : )

Hi Gordon,

Thanks so much for the reply.

Arrgh it's so complicated and quite stressful... but I understand why there isn't a specific line to cross as we're all different and abilities are from a mix of factors.

Afraid this bit below confused me a bit - I'm not understanding the difference between limitations increasing and improvement? I really hope I haven't done anything wrong, this stuff pushes my anxiety buttons a lot.

The DWP view is that all Changes of Circumstances need to be reported within 30 days of the change occurring. In reality they are not particularly bothered if they are not informed of a claimant's limitations increasing, this is not the case for an improvement.

I feel confident that for all of last year I was not doing things regards the journey criteria reliably or for the majority of days at all.

I am trying to increase my reliability so far this year though - but still very much psyching myself up to do any form of leaving home, grabbing moments of ability to do so, unable to do it for most of the day apart from a small window when I go for it, cannot do it on a whim or if someone told me to or repeatedly, etc. I am still very limited to particular conditions (e.g. quiet times), selected streets, limited distance/time out.

I don't know if I can sustain progress, but hope so. I want to keep going, keep building on my progress from therapy so would in a way much rather have lower points in advance if that makes sense.

With Thanks

Glen

Thanks BIS for that helpful reply : )

1. Presumably, I'd need to report to ESA at the same time as PIP - will this trigger a move to Universal Credit instead or will it be just a review of the award and it is adjusted as necessary?
2. Will my PIP or ESA claims end or be suspended until any reassessment is done (i.e. would my money stop during the process)?

Thanks very much,