The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it ‘recognises’ the review process for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be “unsettling for some claimants”. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities at the DWP, made the comments in response to a written question from Reform UK MP James McMurdock on steps being taken to support existing PIP claimants through the review process.
Sir Stephen explained a number of measures DWP has in place which include offering PIP consultations in different formats to best suit the needs of claimants – by phone, in person or by video call. However, he also said more ‘in-house’ reviews conducted by DWP Case Managers can be completed without the need for a consultation where “sufficient evidence is provided by the claimant”.
He also reassured claimants that payments do not stop and automatically roll-on until a review can be completed, which also includes access to the Motability and Blue Badge Schemes. The DWP Minister also steered people to the GOV.UK website where they can learn more about the review process, before it happens.
In the written response on Monday, Sir Stephen outlined the number of ways DWP is providing support. He explained: “In order to speed up the review process, DWP Case Managers can now undertake PIP reviews in-house, removing the need for a consultation, in cases where sufficient evidence is provided by the claimant. This takes away the stress of a consultation and enables a decision to be made more quickly for the majority of claimants.”
He also said cases “that do need to be reviewed by a Healthcare Professional, different types of assessment types are available depending on claimant circumstances”.
Sir Stephen continued: “Providers can offer telephony, video or face-to-face assessments or reviews can again be undertaken, in some cases, using information provided without the need for a consultation.”
He also explained that for PIP claimants who have severe mental health or cognitive impairments, the DWP applies an “Additional Support marker to the case which protects the claimant from falling out of payment where they struggle to complete forms or engage in the process”.
Essentially, this means that the case will progress to a review even where a review form cannot be completed.
Commenting on review delays, Sir Stephen said: “We have taken steps to keep claimants informed and updated via text messages. In such cases, we routinely extend awards to ensure continuity of payments, enabling claimants (where appropriate) to retain eligibility for Motability vehicles and Blue Badges.”
Additional help
If you need more time to complete the review form, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433.
Full details about the PIP review process can be found on GOV.UK here.
What to include on the PIP review form can be found on the Citizens Advice website here.
PIP claimants in Scotland
There are 123,000 PIP claimants in Scotland due to transfer to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) by the end of 2025. These people will not be due a review from the DWP, one will be conducted after the migration process has been completed.
If there is a change in your circumstances, you should report this to the DWP until you have moved to ADP. You can find out about the changes you need to report on GV.UK here.