PIP Renewal timescale 2023. - Benefits and Work Forum (2024)

FAQs

How long does a PIP renewal decision take in 2023? ›

Some people are hearing within 8 weeks, and some are taking up to 18 months. They are dealing with a backlog, and the majority of people are being given a video or a telephone assessment. Some people have been given a paper-based assessment, but I have noticed that many of the award lengths seem to be short.

You'll need to write that things have stayed the same since your last assessment. Still describe how you're finding each task or activity. The DWP might need more information to help them make a decision about your PIP award.

Figures produced by the DWP show that, at present rates, it will take almost 10 years to work through the backlog of outstanding personal independence payment (PIP) planned award reviews, Benefits and Work has highlighted.

The DWP responded that “As of 31st May 2024, there were 392,000 Award Reviews outstanding in England and Wales.” The department said there was no timeline for clearing the backlog and that: “The main reason for the length of time to complete PIP award reviews is very high demand for PIP.

As noted above, the average waiting time for a decision on new claims is 16 weeks. » 7 The wording in the award letter might be: 'We will also contact you while you are getting PIP to see if your needs have changed and to look at the amount you get. This will be after [date]. ' »

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

PIP glossary

Renewal claims are sometimes decided by the DWP, without being referred to health professionals. However, some claimants will have to attend another face to face assessment. PIP awards are for fixed periods. Many are short-term, lasting two years or less.

In the comments box you need to express yourself concisely and without room for interpretation. If your back hurts, for example, say 'my back hurts 4 days a week' but do not say 'my back hurts sometimes' or 'my back hurts often'. Words such as 'sometimes' and 'often' are open to interpretation.

Some people have been waiting for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to review their PIP for more than two years as it faces a backlog of disability benefits claims, with rising levels of ill-health and the cost of living crisis contributing to the pressure.

On average, it takes the DWP 20 weeks from the date you started your claim to make a decision. Some claims take less time; some take more.

Can I reapply for PIP again? ›

If you're thinking about challenging the decision, get advice from your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales or in Scotland to check if you have grounds to appeal again. You can reapply for PIP and start the process again, but unless something has changed you're unlikely to get a different decision.

PIP review backlogs

There is a large backlog of reviews due to a shortage of PIP assessors and an increase in new claims. So, instead of getting a review, you may receive a letter telling you that your award has been extended for 12 months. Some claimants have had their award extended more than once.

PIP rates increased by 6.7% for 2024/2025, in line with inflation. Now, if you're eligible for the enhanced rate of both components, you'll get £184.30 a week. Here are the PIP amounts for 2024/2025: Daily living - £108.55 at the enhanced rate and £72.65 at the standard rate.

If your PIP claim ends before December 2022, and you have not heard from the DWP, you should contact them and ask for your claim to be extended. You can ask to renew your claim in the last six months before your PIP award ends.

There is no time frame for when a decision must be made on your PIP claim. The Government has planned processing times for benefit decisions, for a PIP application this is 75 working days, but recent figures published confirm that only 51 per cent of decisions are made within this timescale.

It usually takes about 8 weeks for the DWP to assess your form and send you a letter with a decision. They will not contact you to say they received your form, but you can call them to check. The DWP may need more information to make a decision.

The AR2 form is being issued from August 2023. This form is a much shorter alternative to the AR1 PIP award review form, which most claimants who have an end date to their award receive. The AR2 form is being issued to claimants who have: very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time.

On average, it takes the DWP 20 weeks from the date you started your claim to make a decision. Some claims take less time; some take more.

The DWP will also have to pay you everything they should have been paying you from the date of your claim. It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks for this money to come through.