Advice

Hi Lynn

The DWP always say that a claimant should inform them if they need more or less help with daily living or mobility activities. Many claimants wait until their next review. However, if you think that this new condition would affect your current award - eg there is a chance of an increase - then you may want to inform them. The best way to do this would be to do a change of circumstances in which case it would trigger a review.

If you already have an enhanced award, or this new condition will have no impact on your current award, there is no advantage to informing the DWP immediately, but if you want them to know, write to them with your details, tell them about the new condition, and ask them to add this information to your records.

People often ask if it will be held against them if they don't inform the DWP of a new condition. I haven't seen this. They are most interested in improvements in people's condition, especially if it means someone won't have to be paid as much.

BIS