Thousands of disability benefit claimants will have their payments extended for longer without a review under new DWP regulations taking effect next month. From June 2, the modifications will grant the DWP authority to extend fixed-term Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards where it deems it necessary to 'safeguard the efficient administration' of the benefit system.
The decision comes amid increasing concern within the department that the current review system is under significant strain. Officials have privately cautioned that without intervention, the assessment regime risks 'falling over' under the weight of rising demand. Previously, the DWP has been extending some claims on a temporary, ad hoc basis, often by a year at a time, but internal discussions revealed this was being done without clear legal backing.
Under the new rules, decision-makers will be able to simply roll forward an award rather than carry out a full reassessment when a claim comes up for review. For many claimants, the change could bring welcome certainty and fewer stressful reassessments. However, the reforms will not apply to under-25s, with officials arguing younger people are more likely to see improvements in their condition and that more frequent contact allows earlier access to employment support.
The changes have sparked alarm amongst watchdogs and campaigners. The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) cautioned that some of the most vulnerable claimants could miss out if their condition deteriorates but they fail to request a reassessment, potentially losing out on higher payments for lengthier periods. In response, the DWP says it will 'strengthen communications' to encourage claimants to report changes. Officials also acknowledged the policy could generate savings where worsening conditions go unreported, although they insisted this was not the intention.
This development precedes a broader transformation of disability benefits, with a significant review headed by minister Stephen Timms scrutinising the future of PIP. The review is anticipated to examine assessments, eligibility and potential conditionality, raising the possibility of stricter regulations in the coming years.
