The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is summoning Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants for reassessment under specific circumstances. The DWP will reassess individuals receiving PIP if there is a change in their health condition.
Six Triggers for PIP Reassessment
The DWP identifies six conditions that prompt a reassessment: if your condition improves, deteriorates, or you receive a new diagnosis. Other triggers include moving into or out of a hospital or care home, spending an extended period abroad, and information received during routine checks or from other government departments.
Understanding Your PIP Claim
The letter you received when your PIP was approved—a benefit claimed by 3.9 million people—will specify when your claim ends and whether it will be reviewed, according to the Labour Party government.
On its website, the government explains how PIP reviews work: “You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.” You will receive a letter asking you to complete a form called ‘Personal Independence Payment Review.’ The DWP urges: “Fill in the form using the notes that come with it. Send the form and any supporting information you have not shared with the DWP before—the form explains what to include and where to send it.”
You must return the form within one month. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time. The DWP will review your form. If they require additional information, an independent health professional may phone you to ask questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be conducted in person, over the phone, or by video call. You will receive a letter detailing what will happen with your PIP.
Possible Changes to Your PIP
If your needs have changed, your PIP may be increased, reduced, or stopped. If you disagree with a decision, you can challenge it by asking for a mandatory reconsideration.
Extended Review Periods
The time between PIP reviews is being extended for the majority of claimants aged 25 and over. For new claims, the minimum period is three years, rising to five years at the next review if entitlement continues. This change will free up health professionals to address the backlog of Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessments.
