Reported improvement but remained in Support Group?

Hi has anyone successfully reported an improvement in the severity of one of their conditions, but continued to remain in the ESA Support Group due to the severity of remaining ones?

My query is because my award was for severe CFS & Fibromyalgia (& primary care level anxiety & depression) in 2019, & put in the SG for which I have never been reviewed.

My mobility & pain has however very recently improved (due to HRT I think) meaning I would no longer score as highly on mobility descriptors.

But my MH deteriorated & I was treated for severe depression & anxiety in 2023 to present. Then diagnosed with ADHD in 2023 & completed cancer treatment in the same year.

I informed DWP re my cancer & applied for PIP in 2024 & was awarded Enhanced for both components.

I need to report improvements for both benefits - my MH & Adhd still severely impact me.
My CFS/Fibro do but to a lesser degree. So it’s only really the mobility elements that have become less severe.

I do not want to report changes unless they’re reliable & with a fluctuating condition am aware they may well return. I can’t try to improve mobility without however contravening my award.

I don’t know how to navigate this with the DWP. There is however a substantial risk to my MH if I was expected to engage in WRA & my medical evidence supports this.

I’d like if my MH were to improve, in time to be able to trial the support group’s Permitted Work in a non pressurised safe way around my disabilities. But to do so will contravene my original assessment findings & the fear is they’ll think I’m resilient enough for WRAG.

Any advice gratefully appreciated. Complicated I know. And a source of adverse stress as we all sadly can contest to. Many thanks.

That’s a good idea thankyou.

Would anyone know if I report changes how much attention (if any) is given to your original award & how you scored?

Perhaps me trying to explain how one condition is less severe but others now are but in different ways, is fruitless?

If I approached it as a brand new claim - each condition & their impact on me now, will be evident regardless of which was more once severe??

Hi Labrador

I would think very carefully about whether your Mental Health issues and your ADHD actually DO affect your mobility.

The mobility questions are worded more towards physical conditions but for some people MH conditions can also affect their mobility.

Keeping a diary is a good idea.

Best Wishes
soulgal

Thanks soulgal - you’re right & they do. My claim I feel is weighted more in favour of the physical impact of my difficulties - despite good medical evidence of my MH ones for Pip. And I only scored on metres I can mobilise for PIP & none for Planning & Following a Journey (despite answering it at length). So I feel my claim only really recognises the physical impact of my difficulties. Which as you say is inherent in the system.
I frequently literally cannot leave the house due to MH distress, but can the mobility in metres question be interpreted in this way?

Also how to report an improvement when my MH won’t be able to cope with two lots of claims, assessments, decisions etc. The advice on B&W says you can notify the DWP re one in your own time, then the other when able - if reporting a change in your condition. How does that work for an improvement?

TBH it’s all too overwhelming to really even contemplate. And perhaps may not even be sustained in view of the fluctuations I experience with my conditions, not to mention impulsivity, & history of pushing myself /wanting to be “better”, beyond my limits.

Any further input would still be appreciated though on this second point, If at all possible.

Kindest of thanks