Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants should take action if they see a pause or outright end to their payments that they weren’t expecting. Currently, a successful claim for PIP is worth between £28.70 and £184.20 per week, with an increased rate of 1.7% coming in from April 7.
While these payments can help provide extra financial support for those living with a long-term physical or mental condition or disability as well as for those who struggle doing everyday tasks because of their condition, there may be some situations that a claim is put under review.
The DWP will often issue a letter to PIP claimants that includes a form titled ‘Award review – how your disability affects you’. It’s important to fill in this form to the best of your knowledge and ability and send it back to the DWP within one month.
Once the government department receives the form, they will review your claim which could result in your PIP claim going up, down, or even being completely stopped. However, this is not the sole reason you could see a change in PIP payments.
Other reasons your PIP might be reduced or stopped
A number of things could affect the status of your PIP claim, including:
- A change in circumstances led the DWP to no longer provide your payments
- The DWP received an accusation you were committing benefit fraud
- Your fixed-term award period ended
- The DWP has taken some money to repay an overpayment
- The DWP decided your condition improved following a medical assessment
- You missed an appointment for a medical assessment
- You didn’t sign and return a review form quick enough
If you don’t know why your PIP claim has changed, it’s important that you gloss over any previously received DWP letter to see if an explanation was given. If you can’t find one, then you’re next step should be to contact the PIP enquiry line directly by dialling 0800 121 4433 and asking them why it could have happened.
Challenging a decision made about your PIP claim
PIP claimants have the ability to challenge a DWP decision that affects their claim and triggers a process known as ‘mandatory reconsideration’. If a claimant wants to trigger a mandatory reconsideration, they can do so within one month that the initial decision was made – exceptions to this deadline include exceptional circumstances, such as bereavement or if the claimant was in hospital for whatever reason.
In order to start a mandatory reconsideration, you can contact the benefits office that controls your benefits. You can do this through the phone or filling in a form specifically asking for mandatory which can be found here.
It’s important to note that a mandatory reconsideration could result in your benefit increasing, decreasing, staying the same, or stopping. If you do not agree with the outcome of a mandatory reconsideration, you can make an appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal which could lead to a judge hearing why the decision was made and why you disagree with it.
Full details of appealing a decision made about your PIP claim can be found here.