Would you say this is benefit fraud?

[propyourselfup]

I'm claiming PIP.

I was successful in my claim and was fortunate enough to get the higher rate of mobility, which means I could get a car.

I've had the car for 3 months now and my condition has improved quite a bit as a result. This has been such a relief but it's also made me realise that I might now be committing a crime

You're suppose to inform them if your condition improves - But I have been very reluctant in doing so because I know I might lose it all, and that'll mean no more car. The car has honestly changed my life, and my child's life.

I can move around more at home because I'm not straining to get to places via public transport. I feel better mentally (although mental health is nothing to do with my claim), since I feel so much more mobile and able to get around.

The ability to be 'free' and get where I need to without extra strains on my body and pain has honestly helped me so much, I could cry.

This is benefit fraud though, isn't it? You should tell them if your condition improves.

But it's only improved due to the help the PIP benefit has allowed me to have

Personally I wouldn't consider it benefit fraud, plus the government swindle us for every penny anyway....

If you were in a wheelchair and using a car made travel easier (because you don't have to battle with public transport), would you say that your condition had improved? Less tired, better mental position? Except that, if you then took the car away, you'd be back to square one ...

That's how you should view this. The PIP award has enabled you to have a car, which has improved your situation - not your condition. As others say, this is exactly what the benefit system is meant to do.

My son gets DLA and my understanding of change of circumstances means had your actual condition changed? sometimes dependent on disability things can get better or worse it doesn't sound like your actual condition has changed just having a car makes life a bit easier?

I have rheumatoid arthritis. I was awarded a disabled bus pass five years ago (the disease mainly affects my feet, so walking is often agony, especially if I have a lot of shopping to carry). Neither me nor DH drive and the pass has been a lifeline for me.

I'm now at the stage where I still have very bad, painful days but the fact I'm not walking for miles a day has considerably improved my condition generally. To the point where sometimes I can go for walks for pleasure - if pain kicks in I hop on a bus. I do often feel horribly fatigued - all part of the disease - but the condition does fluctuate.

I've been grappling with a similar dilemma to you, OP. It's actually kept me awake, worrying that I'm committing fraud. DH says the same as PPs have said, however - that the pass was given to me to improve my quality of life and it has. And if it were to be taken away from me tomorrow, I know that the pain would return.

I have tried not to use it too much on 'good' days - but a few good days in a row can turn bad if I walk too much, so it's a bit pointless to do so really.

All in all I think DH and PPs are absolutely right - these things are put in place to help us, and that's exactly what they're doing.

To put it bluntly if you didn't have the car would you be exactly as you were or would you be fairly independent ?

I see it as like this:
Suppose you were epileptic and prone to fits.
The doctor gave you medicine which controlled your fits.
If you went back to the doctor and told them you're not having fits any more, would they stop giving you the medicine?
Controlling the symptoms is not the same as a cure. YANBU.