I have been diagnosed as having another condition, should I wait until January when my PIP review is due, to inform DWP. Im feeling anxious if I inform them just now will that interfere with my current benefit & of course Covid 19 with all the assessment issues etc?
The first thing you need to do is understand whether this new condition means that you will score the points needed for a higher award, a new condition or a deterioration does not always mean that you will.
If you reasonably expect to score the points needed for a higher award then the next question to ask yourself is whether you want to go through an early assessment. If you report a Change then you will receive a PIP2 and will need to provide evidence to support the worsened limitations, the Decision that will result will supersede your current award, whatever the Decision is.
The advantage of reporting a Change now is that the date of any new award should be the date that you inform the DWP, if you wait until you are reassessed by the DWP the new award will apply from the date that it is made.
The current situation is interfering with assessments but the announcement that social distancing is being reduced to 1m could mean that face to face assessments will be done again.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
