Reporting changes

Songbird57

Hi there!

Thank you in advance for your help.
I'd like some idea on what happens when reporting a change in a health condition, please.

First, are ESA and PIP forms sent out, as they were when applying right at the start of my claim - rather than being asked questions about my condition over the phone ( I am on support ESA and PIP, hare rheumatoid arthritis).

I know from past experience it can take weeks to get a new assessment. Are benefits still paid at the rate prior to reporting the change, or are they stopped till new assessments have been done?

Would I have to repay monies paid if the reassessment finds me no longer in Support group ESA and standard mobility / enhanced daily living PIP? Will I also have to pay back some housing benefit?

Thanks again, have a lovely day.

poppy12345

Songbird57 wrote: »

Hi there!

Thank you in advance for your help.
I'd like some idea on what happens when reporting a change in a health condition, please.

First, are ESA and PIP forms sent out, as they were when applying right at the start of my claim - rather than being asked questions about my condition over the phone ( I am on support ESA and PIP, hare rheumatoid arthritis).

I know from past experience it can take weeks to get a new assessment. Are benefits still paid at the rate prior to reporting the change, or are they stopped till new assessments have been done?

Would I have to repay monies paid if the reassessment finds me no longer in Support group ESA and standard mobility / enhanced daily living PIP? Will I also have to pay back some housing benefit?

Thanks again, have a lovely day.

I notice you're already in the Support Group for ESA and claiming Enahanced daily living and standard mobility for PIP. Is the reasons for wanting to report changes because your condition has improved so you no longer qualify for them or has it got worse?

poppy12345

Looking at your other thread i see your condition has improved.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5963327/reporting-improved-condition


Did you take the advice that was given on there and speak to your GP?



When did your condition improve? Does the improvement affect the amount of PIP you claim?

Songbird57

Hi again all,

Saw doctor, and she said give reporting the change a try - if it worsens again, due to the need for further treatment within 12 weeks there’s chance of a rapid reclaim of benefits. My change fluctuates but I am in less pain, and has been the case for the last 3 months now. As far as descriptors are concerned, changes are not huge, but if I am now not experiencing as much pain, I feel I should say something.

Do I need to describe health issues on the phone when I call PIP and ESA, or do they take basic details and send out forms instead?

If payments stop dead, this means weeks could pass before new assessments. What could I claim in that time? Thank you for your time.

poppy12345

When you report an improvement in your condition for your PIP then it's quite possible that your payments will stop, until a face to face assessment is done and a decision is made. They'll send you more forms to fill in for this. Once a decision is made then it's possible that you may have an overpayment for this.



For the ESA then i'm unsure, others may have advice regarding this. As for a repaid reclaim then i'm not sure that will be possible now because all areas are a full universal credit area.

Mojisola

Songbird57 wrote: »

My change fluctuates but I am in less pain, and has been the case for the last 3 months now.

As far as descriptors are concerned, changes are not huge, but if I am now not experiencing as much pain, I feel I should say something.

Unless the changes mean that you can now regularly do things that you couldn't do before, don't risk losing your benefit by reporting the reduction in pain.

If the pain reduction is permanent and means that you no longer fit the descriptors, definitely report the change.

poppy12345

When looking at the PIP descriptors does your condition affect the amount of points you would score now compared to what award you currently have? Remember as previously advised PIP is about how you are at least 50% of the time over a 12 month period.

pmlindyloo

Although I admire your wishing to be completly honest about your change in circumstances I have to agree with previous posters that you should consider this all very carefully.

So, look at where you scored points for PIP and the descriptor which put you into the ESA support group. Do you still qualify?

A trip to CAB for them to discuss with you whether they think you still meet the descriptors for both PIP and ESA is certainly an option for you to consider before you actually report the change.

Also, have you thought about what you would do if you are found not to have limited capability for work? Do you feel that you could do some work?

You can do some permitted work even when on ESA so it might be worthwhile trying this route (google for more information about this). This will give you (probably) a better idea of whether you can cope with working.
Doing permitted work does not affect your benefits but it must be under 16 hrs and there is an earnings threshold . You would need to complete a form and get permission to do permitted work.

The original idea of permitted work was to 'test' whether you are capable of working without losing your benefits so this seems a good way forward.

It is wonderful that you are in less pain but that may not mean that you do not still fit the descriptors which were awarded for PIP and ESA.

bspm1

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Although I admire your wishing to be completly honest about your change in circumstances I have to agree with previous posters that you should consider this all very carefully.

So, look at where you scored points for PIP and the descriptor which put you into the ESA support group. Do you still qualify?

A trip to CAB for them to discuss with you whether they think you still meet the descriptors for both PIP and ESA is certainly an option for you to consider before you actually report the change.

Also, have you thought about what you would do if you are found not to have limited capability for work? Do you feel that you could do some work?

You can do some permitted work even when on ESA so it might be worthwhile trying this route (google for more information about this). This will give you (probably) a better idea of whether you can cope with working.
Doing permitted work does not affect your benefits but it must be under 16 hrs and there is an earnings threshold . You would need to complete a form and get permission to do permitted work.

The original idea of permitted work was to 'test' whether you are capable of working without losing your benefits so this seems a good way forward.

It is wonderful that you are in less pain but that may not mean that you do not still fit the descriptors which were awarded for PIP and ESA.

Absolutely have to agree with this 100%, I was awarded Enhanced Pip Care and Mobility as well as ESA SG a few years ago now, at the time I was in chronic pain, due to procedures undertaken surgically and much stronger pain medication as well as a much more sedentary lifestyle I too am in an awful lot less pain that I was originally.

I still fit the descriptors, I still cannot do what I said I could not do but the pain has eased a lot. I feel more in control of managing my pain now, doesn't mean to say I will notify PIP or ESA that I have improved, Pain and mobility issues are still there.

Leave well alone is my advice, as long as you still fit the descriptors and cannot do what you said you couldn't do before.

wild666

Personally I don't tell them about changes unless it means I would get more money, but as the most I could get is support group because of enhanced PIP and WRAG ESA then the £8 doesn't bother me. The monthly amount means I have more than enough to live on.
If you report a change the DWP are quick to take the money off you or assess you then take it. You could even lose the enhanced rate.
My mother wrote to the attendance allowance place years ago and told them her condition had improved and they took the lot off her. it was because she could get herself up and to bed and take medication as well as feed herself they took it yet a person over the road could do all that and got the highest award now over £82 a week. My advice is keep it as long as you can, after all the nurse who assessed me didn't know what HHT (Hereditary Hemorragic telangiectasia) and she told me that and even said I would get an award.

pmduk

wild666 wrote: »

after all the nurse who assessed me didn't know what HHT (Hereditary Hemorragic telangiectasia) and she told me that and even said I would get an award.

No disrespect meant to nurses, but they're not to be relied upon for benefits advice.