The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can review your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at any time - even if you have an award for a fixed period. We explain the PIP review process, so you understand what you need to do at every stage of your PIP review.
What are the stages of a PIP review
In a PIP review, the DWP will decide whether to:
- Extend your PIP award
- Increase or decrease your payments
- End your PIP claim
All PIP reviews follow the same five stages:
- When the DWP have decided to review your PIP claim, they will notify you by a letter which asks you to complete the form titled “Award review – how your disability affects you”.
- You are required to fill in the form
- You need to send the form back with any supporting evidence you have not previously shared with the DWP.
- The DWP will review your form – you may be asked to attend a face-to-face interview with an independent health professional.
- You will receive a letter from the DWP informing you of their decision.
How will I be notified about a PIP review
The DWP will inform you about a PIP review:
- Anytime they feel it is necessary – even if you have an award for a fixed period
- When your review period is approaching – explained in your original PIP claim approval letter
- If you have notified them of any changes to how your disability affects you.
When reviewing your claim, the DWP will send you a letter with a PIP review form. You will have four weeks to complete and submit the form.
You must return the form by the time given on your PIP review letter – if you don’t your PIP could be stopped. If you need an extension to the deadline, you will need to contact the DWP with an acceptable reason for the delay.
If the DWP stop your PIP claim because you sent the form back too late, you will need to start a new PIP claim or challenge their decision.
Filling in the PIP review form
The PIP review form is assessed on the same tasks detailed in the PIP claim form you initially filled in when applying for PIP.
You will need to describe how easy or difficult each task or activity is to complete, and is your chance to explain to the DWP what, if anything, has changed since your last assessment.
What to do If nothing has changed since your last PIP assessment
If nothing has changed since your previous PIP assessment, you will still need to complete the PIP review form.
You should explain in detail what has stayed the same and how you’re finding each task. You should also include an up to date review of your treatment, therapy and medication.
If you have stated there has been no change since last time, the DWP may still require more information to decide about your PIP claim, such as:
- A face-to-face assessment, or
- A request for more information from your GP or healthcare professional.
What to do if the impact of your condition has changed since your last PIP assessment
When claiming PIP, you must report specific changes in your health to the DWP. For example, a change could be:
- If your condition or the relevant symptoms have improved or worsened
- If you’ve stopped or started taking any medication
If a change in your situation has impacted your life since the last assessment you need to explain the following in your PIP review:
- What happened to cause the change
- When it happened
- How it made things easier or harder for you (detailing what help, if any, you still need)
What to do if your PIP award is ending but you haven’t heard from the DWP
The coronavirus pandemic has caused delays to PIP assessments and reviews. If your PIP award is about to end, but you haven’t had a review or been contacted by the DWP, call the PIP helpline on 0800 121 4433 as soon as possible. (textphone: 0800 121 4493)
If you are told that your PIP award is likely to end before an assessment can be carried out, make a complaint. In the first instance, you should complain to the DWP office handling your case – contact details will be on any letter you have received from them.
If you cannot get any response from your local DWP office, you can call the PIP helpline on 0800 121 4433 (textphone: 0800 121 4493)
Supporting evidence for a PIP review
When going through a PIP review you should, if possible, send supporting evidence to highlight how your condition impacts your daily life. Supporting evidence can make a significant difference in the outcome of your review.
When returning your PIP review form, you should include copies of the following documents:
- A list of the prescribed medication you take
- A copy of your care plan
- Medical evidence by health professionals (records, prescriptions, letters, reports)
There is no need to send the following documents when you return your PIP review form:
- Original documents (always send a copy)
- Appointment letters
- Any documents you have already sent to the DWP for PIP
PIP review decision
Once you have submitted your PIP review, the DWP will either write to you with their decision - you can challenge a PIP review decision with a mandatory reconsideration - or they may require more information. They can do this by:
- Asking you for more evidence on how your condition affects your life
- Asking you to attend a face-to-face assessment.
