New DWP PIP claims to receive longer payment awards

The DWP said the measure aims to free up health professionals to carry out more face-to-face assessments and deliver more Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessments

The UK Government unveiled proposals to extend the duration of awards for individuals making fresh claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) this year, in a bid to help clear the backlog of Work Capability Assessments (WCA). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated the initiative seeks to enable health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete additional WCA reassessments.

Currently, the interval between PIP award reviews can be as brief as nine months, and the majority of recipients do not experience any alteration to their award at review. This is set to be extended for most PIP claimants aged 25 and above to a minimum of three years for fresh claims, increasing to five years at their subsequent review should they continue to qualify.

These operational modifications are distinct from the Timms Review, which will examine the function of PIP, eligibility for the daily living and mobility components, assessment process and the criteria in supporting disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence.

The new measure was implemented in April alongside amendments to Universal Credit that reduce the disparity between what individuals receive for unemployment compared to long-term sickness. The changes will see the UK Government honour a pledge made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper to increase face-to-face assessments, following their reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contracts agreed by the previous government had required 80 per cent of assessments to be conducted remotely — by telephone, video call, or paper-based means.

The proportion of face-to-face assessments is set to rise significantly, with PIP assessments increasing from six per cent in 2024 (57,000) to 30 per cent of all assessments, and the WCA from 13 per cent in 2024 (74,000) to 30 per cent, reports the Daily Record.

The UK Government stated it is delivering these changes and “reforming the broken welfare system it inherited” by extending the intervals between assessments to verify whether a claimant’s condition still qualifies them for PIP, freeing up healthcare professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and carry out additional WCA reassessments.

It added: “Reassessments play an important role in taking account of how changes in health conditions and disabilities affect people over time.”

Collectively, the measures are anticipated to save the UK taxpayer £1.9 billion by the end of 2030/31, and are accompanied by employment support initiatives targeting sick or disabled individuals, including Connect to Work and the redeployment of 1,000 work coaches.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden recently said: “We’re committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work.

“That is why we are ramping up the number of assessments we do face-to-face and taking action to tackle the inherited backlog of people waiting for a Work Capability Assessment.

“These reforms will allow us to save £1.9 billion, creating a welfare state that supports those who need it while helping people into work and delivering fairness to the taxpayer.”