The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to resume the reassessment of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from September, with thousands of individuals being called forward at random. This marks the end of a pause that began in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the resumed programme, the DWP will invite 3,000 claimants, who have been “randomly selected” by staff, to claim PIP in September. This is part of a broader transfer that originally started in 2013 but was halted during the health crisis. In total, around 150,000 claimants are expected to be affected by the time the process concludes.
What Claimants Need to Know
The DWP has clarified that a reassessment will only occur if a recipient reaches the age of 16, reports a change in circumstances, or voluntarily claims PIP. However, those who are selected and fail to respond to the PIP invitation or do not participate in the reassessment risk losing their benefit payments entirely.
A DWP spokesperson stated: “The transfer of adult DLA claimants to PIP has been paused since 2020. A reassessment only occurs if a recipient reaches 16, reports change in circumstance or voluntarily claims PIP. We are reviewing a random sample of 3,000 cases, and the findings will help determine any additional support needed when active transfer resumes.”
Concerns from Disability Charities
James Taylor, director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, has voiced concerns about the potential impact on disabled people. He said: “The DWP needs to make sure they don’t penalise disabled people whose extra costs are only likely to rise.”
Taylor also advised current DLA claimants to “make sure they respond when the DWP gets in contact.” He added: “Disabled people know that the current system for PIP is not working and too many have to endure assessments that feel dehumanising and confrontational.”
Claimants Express Frustration
Benefits claimants have taken to online forums to express their worries. One individual commented: “Another phase which surely stands in the way of changes to a PIP claims process which is ‘dehumanising’ and ‘overly complex, repetitive and difficult to navigate’.”
Another claimant warned: “If they are going to move people to PIP better they do it now before the Timms PIP review, and changes to the PIP assessment system designed to make PIP financially sustainable for the future, in other words reduce eligibility or benefit award levels or money. And better they do it now before implementing the plan to abolish work capability assessments and making UC health dependent on receiving PIP daily living component.”
Background and Future Implications
The DLA to PIP transfer has been a long-running process, with the pause in 2020 causing delays. The resumption comes amid broader discussions about the future of disability benefits, including a review led by Sir Stephen Timms into PIP assessments. The findings from the random sample of 3,000 cases will be used to determine what additional support may be needed when the active transfer fully resumes.
Claimants are urged to keep their contact details up to date and to respond promptly to any correspondence from the DWP to avoid disruption to their payments.
