Will reporting a change of circumstances put my Pip in jeopardy?

[EachandEveryone]

I have been on chemo on and off for two years and the side effects have got progressively worse. I am off sick from work and home to go back eventually in an adapted role.

One year ago I was awarded minimum daily living PIP and it has been so helpful and I’m very grateful. Recently things have gone down hill especially with my neuropathy I can hardly feel my feet and it’s going up my leg. It’s knocked my confidence. I’ve fallen once in the street and two days ago down five stairs when I lost my footing. I have also just been awarded a freedom travel pass after being face to face assessed by an OT. I can hardly cook for myself as I keep burning or I can’t grab things and break plates and cups all the time.

i don’t know would it be grabby to ask for a change of circumstances? The money would go towards a good cleaner once a week or towards the twice weekly taxis I gave to get.

I know there is a chance they could even reduce it which woukd be awful. My cancer nurse and doctor both say to go for it. So does my social worker friend. My ssp has stopped. What do you all think if you have experience in this area?

Mcmillan I believe have specialist benefits advisors for your circumstances, hang on, I'll try find the link.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support/benefits-and-your-rights#:~:text=0800%20587%200973.-,Who%20can%20help%20me%20apply%20for%20benefits%3F,you%20need%20to%20have%20ready.

It certainly sounds like you'd qualify for more than the lower rate. Completely understand your hesitation, pip forms and assessments are bloody awful.

Definitely go through McMillan - they’re fantastic! You obviously know my situation and they got me enhanced without me having to speak to someone. They also got me ESA which i had never even
heard of. £181 and £184 a fortnight respectively (esa will be increased to enhanced also). Heating on full!

I can’t get esa as I took partial retirement so my monthly pension which just pays the London rent counts. That’s why I need to try and go back to work in some shape or form. Hopefully they will pay my stamp if I’m still here for the government pension (I doubt it)

Macmillan initially said that there is a chance they will reduce it which would mean nothing. It went very smoothly the first time. Things have deteriorated since then so maybe not.

I think it's absolutely shocking that you are having to stress about this the system isn't fit for purpose

Ah I had just stopped short of taking early
retirement to hold out for death in service. My Oncology nurse filled out a barsis form for me - maybe you could ask your oncology nurse if they would do this. @EmotionalSupportPotato yep - it’s an absolute disgrace isn’t it!

I got the chance to take it at 55 so I did at 56 and I’m glad as I’m single.

When is it due for be renewed?

Two years

Macmillan are on the phone and still are telling me I might lose it all if I apply to change it

That, of course is a possibility, but if the worst happened, you can put in for a mandatory reconsideration, and further that to an appeal at tribunal, if necessary. The people at Macmillan should have experience in knowing how to fill out the forms. Get help.

Gosh that’s crazy- I mean how iller (is that a word) do we need to be!

The system is not fit for purpose, when you have people hesitating to inform the DWP of worsening conditions/ disabilities, because they are so fearful of situations like the OP is facing. The worry of seeing yourself deteriorate, and the stress of applying for more help, that would help make life just that bit easier.

It was a bad line and I got cut off. The next person was better apparently its 10metres for me to get to the bus stop and i have to go down my very steep stairs that i fell down yesterday. She said that will count. Ive been on hold to the pip line for over an hour its just crazy.

Hopefully you get through, before they close today.

No chance. I’ll have to try tomorrow.

They are sending the forms out so let’s see.

@EachandEveryone this has some help for what is being asked in each section. There is another site that has better info on what is actually being asked, but I can't find it right now, but I'll pop back when I do

CAB filling out PIP form

It is a stressful enough time without adding this worry for you about whether in asking for more help you might end up losing the help you currently get. I help my dds with their PIP applications and renewals and it is hard work. My youngest lost all hers once, but thankfully I managed to get it back plus more after showing the lies that were written.
Why do Macmillan feel you might lose it all of you do this?

Edit...this is the other site I mentioned, hope it helps

More help filling out PIP form

I think it is just something they gave to say to cover themselves. It does say that 85 percent stays the same or goes up. I’m up for the challenge but it feels so hard thanks for the pointers.

Did you get an answer, i put my change of circumstances in in October and I've not heard anything yet xx

Not a word yet either

They are dealing with such a backlog, it is leaving people in limbo.

This exactly, they need to cover themselves. i say exactly the same to my clients who ask me about reporting a change. We have to warn people that an award can go up, down or stay the same. The most important thing you can do is to make sure you have up to date relevant medical evidence to support what you are saying on the re-assessment form. Also get someone from macmillan benefits team to help with form filling although some are better than others.

Sorry just seen this thread has been going a while so my advice probably irrelevant now !