Reporting improved condition

Songbird57 · 11 February 2019 at 1:36PM

Hi there,
I am currently claiming support ESA (contributory), plus PIP on standard mobility and enhanced daily living. I have a variable, incurable condition which has responded quite well to treatment recently.
Please would you advise on the following:

1. What's the best way to notify DWP of this, or if I should wait and see if the improvement is definitely long-term?
2. If my condition takes a downward turn in months or years in the future, assuming my current claim was stopped, would I be able to claim again under the same condition? I recall reading somewhere this was not allowed, but I may be mistaken.
3. Would a GP note be required in support of the notification to DWP?

Thank you for your help!

poppy12345 · 11 February 2019 at 3:09PM

Songbird57 wrote: »

Hi there,
I am currently claiming support ESA (contributory), plus PIP on standard mobility and enhanced daily living. I have a variable, incurable condition which has responded quite well to treatment recently.
Please would you advise on the following:

1. What's the best way to notify DWP of this, or if I should wait and see if the improvement is definitely long-term?
2. If my condition takes a downward turn in months or years in the future, assuming my current claim was stopped, would I be able to claim again under the same condition? I recall reading somewhere this was not allowed, but I may be mistaken.
3. Would a GP note be required in support of the notification to DWP?

Thank you for your help!

Conditions do vary but if your conditions have improved enough to change the amount of points awarded for your PIP then yes, you need to ring DWP/PIP and report those changes.

The same applies for ESA, if you know the reasons why you were placed into that group and those reasons now no longer apply because your condition has improved then you need to report that.

If your claim was stopped and it could well stop at least until you're assessed. If in the future your condition gets worse then yes you could make another claim, if your benefits are stopped completely.

calcotti · 11 February 2019 at 3:11PM

Songbird57 wrote: »

Hi there,
I am currently claiming support ESA (contributory), plus PIP on standard mobility and enhanced daily living. I have a variable, incurable condition which has responded quite well to treatment recently.
Please would you advise on the following:

1. What's the best way to notify DWP of this, or if I should wait and see if the improvement is definitely long-term?
My own view would be to give it a while to see if the improvement is sustained. I think with a variable condition this is reasonable.
2. If my condition takes a downward turn in months or years in the future, assuming my current claim was stopped, would I be able to claim again under the same condition? I recall reading somewhere this was not allowed, but I may be mistaken.
For PIP it is all about impact of illness so yes you can claim again for same condition. For ESA you cannot claim again for same condition if you have been found fit for work - unless the condition has got worse, so you could claim again.
3. Would a GP note be required in support of the notification to DWP?
No.

Thank you for your help!

Hope my inserted comments make sense.

[Deleted User] · 11 February 2019 at 9:27PM

As above I would tend to wait and see.

Alice_Holt · 11 February 2019 at 9:32PM

Remember that PIP is assessed over a year-long period, and looks at how you are on the majority of days.

From the PIP Assessment Guide (Part 2):
"Time periods, fluctuations and descriptor choices
2.1.7 The impact of most health conditions and impairments can fluctuate
over time. Taking a view of ability over a longer period of time helps
to iron out fluctuations and presents a more coherent picture of
disabling effects. Therefore, the descriptor choice should be based
on consideration of a 12 month period. This should correlate with
the Qualifying Period and Prospective Test for the benefit – so the
HP should broadly consider the claimant’s likely ability in the three
months before the assessment and in the nine months after...

LocoLoco · 12 February 2019 at 11:16AM

OP, my son had a fluctuating condition that affected his mobility so he was receiving high rate mobility from DLA (this was a few years ago which is why it was still DLA at that point). He started to improve; I waited three months before I reported it because I wanted to be sure it was a more permanent change but I also kept a diary each day of what he could and couldn't do. I waited until it was clear that he was getting more good days than bad before I informed them (which was about three months from him first starting to pick up a bit) and I kept a diary in case there was any problem from anyone about it - it just made me a bit less worried about what to do. So as others have said, I'd wait but I'd also keep a record in case you need some proof at some point in the future.

Songbird57 · 13 February 2019 at 2:24PM

Thank you all for your helpful replies, and will keep a diary. I am just a bit concerned that DWP seem to want improvements reporting immediately. Please tell me how DIP might find this out, and what would be consequences. It's a question on behalf of others as well as I. Thank you, all, again for being so helpful.

pmlindyloo · 13 February 2019 at 2:50PM

I can understand your concerns as the government website does ask you to report a change of circumstances as regarding an improvement in your health condition.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this improvement and asked their advice about whether this improvement is likely to be long lasting. Difficult for us to comment accurately without knowing your medial information.

In some cases it would be much easier to advise - for example, claimant has an operation which 'fixes' things so should report change of condition.

To be honest, the only way the DWP would know is if someone reported you.

Be guided by your doctor.

Reporting improved condition

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