Pip

Hello Stella,

If you feel more comfortable phoning rather than writing you can still do this. You will need to do it together. When the DWP answer the phone you need to tell that you are making the call on behalf of your husband and give them his details. You can explain to them that your husband is with you and will give them his authority to speak to you. They will then briefly speak to your husband on the phone, ask him a few security questions and check that he is willing for you to speak on his behalf. When he has said yes, he can hand the phone back to you, and you can take the rest of the call.

I quite often do with other people, and what I do is put the phone on speakerphone so that we can both hear the conversation, although I am the one doing the talking.

If you feel more happy writing then it is possibly the best way to do it. You do just need to keep your letter simple and to the point – something like

Your address.....

Dear Sirs,
NI No AB XX XX XX C
PIP Change of Circumstances.
I would like to tell you that my conditions have got a lot worse. Please will you review my current award.
Yours sincerely
(husband’s signature)
Husband’s name.

Whether you do it by letter or by phone it will trigger a new assessment. You will be sent the PIP2 form which is the one which you will have completed before. If he does receive a higher award, provided you return the PIP2 form on time, it will be backdated to when you contacted them.

It would be remiss of me not to point out that the new assessment could find that your husband is awarded a lower award than he is currently receiving. Only he (with your help) can be the judge of whether or not that is a risk worth taking. Do have a look at our PIP guides to help you make this decision.

I hope this helps,
Catherine