Five changes in circumstances can trigger an unscheduled review of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), even before the planned review date. Most PIP awards are not permanent and come with a set review period, but certain reported changes can prompt an earlier reassessment.
What can trigger a PIP reassessment?
One of the most common triggers is a change in your health condition. If your condition improves, worsens, or you receive a new diagnosis, you are expected to report this to the DWP as soon as possible, as it could lead to your award being reviewed.
Changes to your daily living or mobility needs can also prompt a reassessment, particularly if they affect how much support you require. Other triggers include moving into or out of hospital or a care home, spending extended time abroad, and information received during routine checks or from other government departments.
How often PIP reviews take place
Most people will have a planned review at the end of their award period. For people over the age of 25, this can now range from three years to up to 10 for a 'light touch' review, depending on how likely someone's condition is to change. The DWP includes the review date on the award letter that all successful PIP claimants receive.
Shorter awards are often given where a condition is expected to change, while longer awards can last five years or more. Some people receive ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review after around 10 years. A 'light touch' review is typically awarded to claimants who have very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time, high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse, a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age, or a special rule for end of life claim due when of State Pension age.
What happens during a reassessment
When a review is due, claimants are usually sent a form asking if their condition or circumstances have changed. They may also be asked to attend another assessment, although decisions can sometimes be made using existing medical evidence.
Following the reassessment, payments can stay the same, increase, decrease or stop altogether depending on the outcome. Failing to report a relevant change could affect your payments and may lead to overpayments that need to be paid back.
To report a change of circumstances, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433, open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found on the dedicated PIP pages on GOV.UK.
