PIP claim and worsening condition

swingaloo

My husband is disabled and gets the lower rate for mobility. Over the last few weeks his condition has worsened considerably and he would probably now qualify for the higher rate.

Ive looked at the GOV website re claiming PIP but there is nothing there to tell you how to go about having another assessment if your condition has worsened.

Can anyone point me in the right direction please. Thanks

poppy12345

swingaloo wrote: »

My husband is disabled and gets the lower rate for mobility. Over the last few weeks his condition has worsened considerably and he would probably now qualify for the higher rate.

Ive looked at the GOV website re claiming PIP but there is nothing there to tell you how to go about having another assessment if your condition has worsened.

Can anyone point me in the right direction please. Thanks

You would need to ring PIP to report these changes. On doing this they'll then send another PIP2 form like the first time. However there's no guarentee that he'll be given a higher award and there's a even a chance that he could lose what he already has, or the award could stay the same. It has been known to happen. How long is it until his next review bearing in mind that reviews are done 1 year before an existing award ends. Also if you report these changes do you have evidence to support the worsening condition in line with the PIP descriptors?

Alice_Holt

As poppy says you would need to ring the PIP line and request a supersession form:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-a-benefit-decision/challenging-a-dwp-benefit-decision-on-or-after-28-october-2013/changing-a-benefit-decision-by-revision-and-supersession/changing-a-dwp-benefit-decision-by-supersession/

Before you do this I would suggest you look carefully at the PIP activities and points:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
and make sure that his worsening condition would actually merit an increased award.

Is your husband only getting a mobility award?
Might he qualify for a Daily Living award?
Does he need aids such as:
rails to get on/off loo, shower seat / bath rails, grabber for shoes/socks, perching stool for sitting to prepare food, etc

One thing to be aware of is that PIP has a backwards (3 months) rule - so it is likely he would have needed this additional help for 3 months before an award would be increased. You could check this with the PIP line.

It would also be helpful to get your medical evidence ready to show that a higher award applies (per poppy). Take the PIP descriptors to your husband's GP / Physio / Nurse etc and ask them to confirm in writing that these now relevant. Then these letters can be sent with the form.

It is very likely a new assessment will be scheduled:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/your-assessment/