Long term PIP and new conditions / change in circs

[Orangesandlemons77]

I'm part way through a 5 yr PIP award, I think it is ending next year.

Does anyone know is it considered a 'light touch' review after 5 yrs or is that just 10?

Also a worry of mine is how PIP can say things are a 'change in circumstances' as a way of taking you off PIP. The assessors I mean.

I have a new health condition and think they may try and out all my symptoms down to that as I have not seen a specialist or had a formal diagnosis, (other conditions do have this)

Sorry if I sound a little paranoid. I have already gone through two appeals with PIP and I know how they work.

Also these are the award I have had with PIP:

2014 18 months
2016 2 years (after appeal)
2018 5 yrs (after nearly going to appeal, DWP changed mind before the appeal but after the MR)

If you get an award review form (AR1) I would advise ticking "No change" for everything and at the assessment just emphasise you still have all the same needs you had last time you were awarded. You could add the new diagnosis too but I would focus on what you got the points for last time and say that has not improved.

Thanks. I know their tricks after going through appeals etc.

What I am wary about is having been through their 'assessments' several times now is that PIP often uses 'under specialist support / follow up" as evidence but over time that can fall away.

Especially if there is no cure or treatment. (but they sometimes don't 'get' that)

However I know what they are like and just to take it to appeal if needs be.

If your diagnosis has changed but your restrictions are the same you can explain this on the AR1.

A light touch review is only for an award for an “ongoing period” (which means a light review every 10 years) - I know because this is the award that I have, enhanced on both. A 5 year award would mean a full renewal unfortunately. However, a change in diagnosis shouldn’t mean a change in award - pip isn’t based on diagnosis, it’s based on care needs. So in theory it shouldn’t affect anything negatively.

Yes I know, I just worry they will 'use' this to say there is a 'change in circumstances' which is a way of stopping it.

They treid this previously, saying that as I had less 'specialist input' it was a 'change in circumstances'. That time I applied for a paper appeal using the online form saying it was not and at that stage DWP quickly contacted me and re-instated the award. They even apologised.

But it has left me wary of declaring any new conditions, especially one for where I am just under the GP. I may get to see a specialist about it I suppose but unsure.

It is horrible the way you need to jump through hoops with PIP and evidence etc.

Hi been watching this site for a while. I put in for change of circumstances for my husband which triggered a move from pip to adp as in scotland this was Feb to June received adp in June got change of circumstances forms sent and done.my coc was accepted in mid July I'm on 30 weeks now and have phoned got put to dm at 28 weeks as over normal 24 but phoned today and is with dm has been since 2 weeks ago but they re working on June now so estimating nxt 2/4 weeks to go to get to july so be at least 6 weeks with dm . Just thought I would let others know as I have been reading other comments to see when people were awarded or phoned to see.

Hi again, just to update I will be informing them at the next review as for my new condition have seen a specialist and have letters / meds about it now.