PIP CoC

[Stepchildrenarehardwork]

I would really appreciate some help, I am currently receiving higher rate daily, lower mobility (8 points on moving around.) however my mobility is getting worse. I have fibromyalgia but have since had a knee injury which they think could be linked to the stability of my legs, plus I often fall down the stairs at times and did tear my ATFL in my ankle.
Anyways I am due knee surgery as I have a bucket handle tear in my knee but have said it’s very likely it won’t be repairable and will be removed the cartilage and that I will continue with the pain and the uneasiness with walking etc. I am now ar a point that I get really distressed with going out in case my knee gives way, or I get stuck soemwheee with my knee locking etc. My award was 18 months due to end this November but then also states November 2026 on the form so a little confused. Is it a good time to try and do a change of circumstance? X

The risk with a change of circumstances is that they will look at the whole award again so I think you would need to make sure you have excellent evidence for enhanced rates. If not then ask yourself if it is worth risking what you have for an extra £45 ish pound a week. personally I wouldn't do it unless I had excellent medical evidence that I could not walk 20m reliably, repeatedly etc.
If your current award ends Nov 2026 they will likely be sending out your renewal forms around spring 2026 but then it's currently taking a year or more ( I have some clients waiting 15months ) to actually get assessed again. Just something to take into consideration. the whole system at the moment is completely overwhelmed with huge backlogs but reporting change of circumstances cases are getting looked at within a few months.
I appreciate it's really hard to know what to do and never know really what to advise my clients either as I've seen people's awards go down after requesting a change of circumstances.