PIP change of circumstances

[Deleted User] · 24 January 2024 at 6:05PM

Alice_Holt said:

Unless he has had a detailed discussion with an experienced welfare adviser (local advice charity / student support services), and they can identify additional points that would increase his current award (i.e from standard to enhanced), and he has supporting evidence backing this - then no.

The potential for additional stress of an assessment / DWP flawed decision / long wait for a tribunal / etc could be too great.
Also look at what he gains as a student in receipt (I assume) of PIP in relation to a gateway to other benefits, compare this to the impact of losing PIP as a student if it goes badly.

Have you told us the exact award currently, the exact points for each PIP activity, and where you think the additional points to increase the award arise?
That is the starting point.

Remember PIP looks at abilities over a year, don't get waylaid with temporary changes.

Yeh I'll have to dig out and see what he gets.... bear with me.

Not looking for an increase just don't want to get into trouble with things changing and them saying "well he does this now and he couldn't before".

Like you've all said though, its difficult to say when or how hes improved. He was 14/15 when this all started, hes 21 this year so growing up, becoming more mature has helped maybe (of course not saying that aspegers is an immaturity thing!) and/or hes learned to live with it better maybe.

In a way also as a student it seems to suit him. Hes got to sort out things himself that hes got to do and hes adapted well.

easy · 24 January 2024 at 6:18PM

Can you clarify ... has he had a letter saying he has to renew his PIP claim, or are you just asking if he should voluntarily declare a change in circumstances?

Personally, my feeling is that unless he has been asked to fill in the paperwork to renew his claim, he should sit tight, and carry on for the time being, don't stir things up if you don't need to. It's great that he is managing better, but life will change again when he leaves education, and his way of managing his disability might take a step back, which would mean starting to apply all over again.
It sounds like his PIP award (and the extra benefits it opens the door to) is achieving it's objective, helping him to be independent. Don't give DWP the opportunity to pull that rug from under his feet.