The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced new regulations extending PIP assessment review periods, benefiting nearly four million claimants and delivering savings of around £300 million
Nearly four million people receiving Personal Independence Payments will see the frequency of their health assessments reduced under new changes. The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced regulations enabling it to extend all existing PIP award reviews to a minimum of three years for new claims, increasing to five years at the subsequent review if entitlement continues.
This extended timeframe has already begun to apply to numerous fresh PIP claims. The government says the modifications to new and existing PIP claims will generate savings of approximately £300million in total, with alterations to existing claimants accounting for roughly £230million of this figure. The DWP stated the measure seeks to release health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete additional reassessments.
PIP is the primary disability benefit for working-age individuals in the UK. People may qualify for PIP if they require additional support with daily activities owing to an illness, disability or mental health condition. PIP eligibility isn’t determined by people’s conditions, but instead by how it impacts their daily life.
Following changes implemented from April 6, health reviews have been prolonged to a minimum of three years for most new PIP claimants aged 25 and above, extending to five years at their subsequent review if entitlement persists, reports the Mirror. Since 2016 in England and Wales, almost 60% of award reviews have resulted in no alteration.
The modifications are distinct from a review being undertaken by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, which will examine the function of PIP, eligibility criteria for the daily living and mobility components, and the assessment procedure.
Commenting on the new changes, Sir Stephen said: “Reforming the welfare system so that it better meets the needs of disabled people is a priority for the government. A major part of this is ensuring that Pip is fit and fair for the future – and we are taking an important step to improve the system through new legislation, which will reduce the frequency of reviews for many existing Pip customers.
“This will make the system more efficient by freeing up the capacity of health professionals to tackle our inherited assessment backlog, while removing unnecessary pressure from disabled claimants whose conditions rarely change at each review.”
He added: “We are also increasing face-to-face assessments for Pip from 6% in 2024 to 30% of all assessments. Additionally, my review is looking into how we can bolster Pip for the future, and we have opened a call for evidence for people to share their views on how Pip should be reformed.”
Harriet Edwards, director of influencing at the national disability charity Sense, said: “The process of applying for disability benefits is long, complicated, and emotionally distressing, and so we welcome these plans to help disabled people go through fewer assessments in the future.
“Sense research found over half of disabled PIP claimants with complex needs felt humiliated during their assessment; clearly this process needs to urgently change.
“It’s vital that the Timms Review continues to work with disabled people to make the application process for PIP fairer and less distressing. But most importantly, what disabled people with complex needs require is reassurance that the government won’t make further cuts to benefits that provide a lifeline for them.”
Fazilet Hadi, Disability Rights UK’s head of policy, said: “Reducing the frequency of PIP reviews makes sense, both for disabled people and DWP. So often our needs remain the same, and reviews just cause anxiety. It is of concern that face-to-face reviews will increase, as these can be physically and emotionally challenging.”
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