The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award review decisions now take an average of 25 weeks, down from a peak of 40 weeks in 2023. The update comes as the major review into the future of the benefit reaches a crucial stage, with its autumn report expected to recommend that PIP remains a cash benefit and continues to be non-means-tested.
Review timescales revealed in parliamentary answer
The figures were disclosed in response to a parliamentary written question from a Labour MP, who asked Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden about trends in waiting times for PIP review decisions and steps being taken to reduce delays for claimants in the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency.
In reply, Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, provided a breakdown of review timescales. The average duration for PIP award reviews stood at 22 weeks in 2014, 16 weeks in 2017, 40 weeks in 2023, and the most recent figures show 25 weeks in 2025/6.
Sir Stephen said: "All claims remain in payment whilst award reviews are in progress and award increases identified during a planned review will be backdated as appropriate. Should customers report a change in circumstances that triggers an unplanned review, their claim will be prioritised alongside new claims."
He added: "We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. Reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the Department and we are working constantly to make improvements to our service, which is kept under constant review."
"We always aim to make an award review decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to assess all available evidence, including that from the claimant. Most award review decisions are now made without the need for an assessment by a Healthcare Professional, where we have sufficient information, which helps to reduce the time taken to process many cases," Sir Stephen added.
PIP claims surge to 4 million
The update comes amid a substantial increase in PIP claims, which reached 4 million claimants across England and Wales by April 2026. Applications for mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly anxiety and depression, have soared dramatically, climbing from 5.9% of claims in 2020 to 8.1% in 2025.
The system faces mounting pressure as the review, headed by Sir Stephen Timms, examines possible modifications to the benefit. The review was launched last year following a Labour backbench revolt against proposals under Sir Keir Starmer to restrict PIP eligibility.
Early conclusions indicated that PIP is "no longer fit for purpose" and has struggled to keep pace with shifts in disability, health and employment over the past decade.
Review recommends cash benefit with light-touch assessments
In an update, the review's co-chairs confirmed that their autumn report will recommend that PIP remain a cash benefit and continue to be non-means-tested. The update also indicated that "light touch" assessments were being considered as part of the proposed reforms.
The amount of PIP someone receives depends on the level of difficulty they experience with everyday activities ("daily living" tasks) and mobility ("mobility" tasks). The daily living component offers two rates - a lower rate of £76.70 weekly and a higher rate of £114.60 weekly. Additionally, there's a mobility component paying £30.30 weekly at the lower rate and £80 at the higher rate.
A number of "principles" have been established for the forthcoming review upon which modifications will be based. The update indicated that PIP going forward will include a light-touch initial assessment to begin understanding a person's circumstances and direct them to the most appropriate assessment pathway, designed to be as simple as possible to reduce the administrative burden.
There will be different assessment pathways for different groups of people, reducing unnecessary assessments where evidence is clear while providing more detailed conversations where needed to better understand the individual's circumstances. People with well-evidenced, serious conditions, including those receiving end-of-life care, could benefit from a fast-track pathway.
Assessment pathways will be flexible, for example providing access to a person-shaped interview where complexity, evidence gaps or additional support are identified. All assessment pathways will consider fluctuating cumulative impacts, rather than relying on a snapshot of the person's circumstances.
Co-chairs Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, Sharon Brennan and Rt Hon. Sir Stephen Timms MP said: "Our task over the coming weeks is to test whether the emerging recommendations are fair, workable and capable of improving people's experience of PIP and supporting people to participate in everyday life."
"We will listen carefully to what people tell us and identify where proposals need to change or require further work, feeding this back to the steering group as we move towards our final report later this autumn. Accessibility, fairness and accountability will remain central both to the recommendations that we develop and the way in which we develop them," they added.
