The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it has completed changes to existing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards, meaning all current claimants now have a minimum planned review period of three years.
Changes to PIP awards
The latest LA Welfare Direct bulletin states that the exercise to extend the Recommended Review Period for current PIP awards began on June 16 and has now finished. DWP said the work introduced a minimum three-year review period and generated a significant increase in automated notifications sent to local authorities for PIP and other affected benefits, including Carer’s Allowance. The department said notification volumes should now return to normal.
The update follows changes introduced earlier this year for most PIP claimants aged 25 and over. Under the new policy, most new awards for people in this age group will last four years, with a planned review after three years. If the claimant remains entitled following that review, their next award will generally last six years and be reviewed after five years.
Background and exceptions
The changes were first announced by the UK Government in December as part of wider welfare reforms. At the time, DWP guidance stated that the period between PIP reviews could be as short as nine months and that most claimants did not see their award change following a review.
Official PIP statistics published in June confirm that, since April, most new awards made to people aged 25 and over are for four years with a review after three years. However, award lengths and review periods will continue to be set according to individual circumstances.
Exceptions can still be made where someone is expected to recover or experience a significant improvement in their condition within a shorter period. Longer review periods will also continue to apply to people with the most severe or long-term conditions.
What this means for claimants
This means the latest announcement does not guarantee every PIP claimant a three-year award. However, it does confirm that DWP has completed the administrative exercise to extend the recommended review dates on existing awards covered by the policy.
A Recommended Review Period is the point at which DWP plans to check whether someone remains entitled to PIP and whether they are receiving the correct rate. Claimants usually continue receiving PIP while an award review is being carried out. DWP sends a letter and a review form asking for information about any changes to the claimant’s health condition or how it affects their daily living and mobility needs.
Important details
PIP is not means-tested and can be paid whether someone is working or not. A claimant’s income and savings do not affect entitlement as it is based on how a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition affects their ability to complete specific daily living and mobility activities.
People receiving PIP must still report relevant changes in their circumstances, even if their planned review date has been extended. It’s important to be aware that the change only applies to PIP claimants in England and Wales. This is because Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for new and existing claimants living in Scotland and is administered by Social Security Scotland, not DWP.
The LA Welfare Direct bulletin also states that DWP is reviewing its communication arrangements after councils received a sharp rise in automated alerts during the exercise. The department said it aims to give local authorities earlier notice of similar work in future so they can prepare for any impact.
