PIP Changes To Assessments and Reviews | September 2024

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who have extra living costs because of a long-term medical condition or disability. PIP comprises a daily living component and mobility component. If eligible for both of these, you could get up to £184.30 a week. This money can be used to pay for support such as home care. Right now, around three million people in the UK claim PIP.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced large changes around how PIP claims are assessed. They may also change how PIP is paid. This article explains the changes to PIP assessments and reviews.

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What Changes Have the DWP Made To PIP?

The way Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims are being assessed changed across the UK due to new companies taking over this process. This change will affect how PIP claims are evaluated and happened on the 7th September, 2024.

The following providers will now oversee PIP claims:

Serco - South West England
Igneus UK Limited - South East England, London and East of England
Capita Business Services - The Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland
Maximus UK Services Limited - North of England and Scotland

PIP vouchers

A proposed key change to PIP is altering how payments work. Right now, claimants get a weekly payment worth up to £184.30. The daily living component is worth £108.55 or £72.75 a week, while the mobility component is worth £75.75 or £28.70 a week. The proposed change is replacing regular payments with vouchers and one-off grants. These vouchers and grants would contribute towards specific costs for people with disabilities, such as home adaptations, aids and relevant services (including home care).

The new Labour government will need to decide whether to carry this change forward or stick with the current system of weekly payments.

Will These Changes Impact How You Claim PIP?

The DWP has said that PIP applicants shouldn’t notice large changes. They’ve said that the new providers and changes to the system aren’t going to make a big difference to how the system of claiming PIP actually works.

Face-to-face appointments will still need to take place within a 90-minute public transport journey from the claimant’s home and be in locations that are easy to reach. Similarly, claimants can continue to be accompanied to their assessment by a companion who can provide evidence on their behalf.

Has PIP Changed For People Who Need Care?

PIP won’t be changing for people who need care.

Right now, if you’re looked after in a care home and pay for your own care, you can continue receiving the daily living component of PIP. The mobility component will also continue if you’re in a residential care home, but not if you’re in a nursing home.

If your care home fees are partially or fully paid for by your local authority or the NHS, the daily living component of PIP will stop being paid after you’ve been in the home for 28 days.

You can also use the money from PIP to help pay for care at home.

You can use the money from PIP to help pay for care at home, and we can assist you in finding the best home carer for your or your loved one’s care needs. You can request a free home care shortlist, where we’ll match you with suitable home care agencies that have availability in your local area.

Does a Change of Circumstances Mean You Need Another PIP Assessment?

The DWP has said that PIP claimants need to report certain changes. If you don’t, you could lose your monthly payments. The DWP has also said that not reporting changes or giving incorrect information could lead to you having to pay a penalty or being taken to court.

What changes in circumstances need reporting to the DWP?

If you already claim PIP, the following changes need reporting to the DWP:

Personal information such as your name, address or bank details
Your doctor
If someone is acting on your behalf and this person changes
If you now need more or less support with tasks relating to daily living and mobility
If you’ve been told by a medical professional that your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than initially reported
If you’ve been told you may have 12 months or less to live (you might be able to claim PIP at a higher rate as a result of this)
You’ve entered a care home, a hospital or a hospice for more than 28 days
You’ve gone into the care of a local authority, health and social care trust or foster care
You’ve been imprisoned or detained
Leaving the country for more than 13 weeks
A new immigration status (and you aren’t a British or Irish citizen)
You’ve started or stopped receiving benefits or a pension from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

These changes can affect your eligibility for PIP, or they can affect the rates you’re eligible for. You could be eligible for more or less money each week, depending on the changes you report.

What to do if nothing has changed since your last PIP assessment

If nothing has changed since your last PIP assessment, there’s no need to report anything.

When being reassessed for PIP, you’ll need to write which things have remained the same since your last assessment. You’ll still need to describe how you find carrying out different tasks and activities. Provided you clearly describe how nothing has changed since your last assessment, your PIP should continue as normal.

If the DWP needs more information to make a decision about your PIP award, they may ask for a face-to-face assessment or additional information from your GP.

How to report a change in circumstances

You can report a change of circumstances by informing the DWP through one of the following PIP numbers:

Telephone: 0800 121 4433

Textphone: 0800 121 4493

These numbers are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

If needed, someone can call on your behalf. You’ll need to be with them so you can give permission for them to speak for you.

You can also inform the DWP of any changes by post, using the address on your decision letter.

How PIP Reviews Currently Work

The DWP will let you know if you have a PIP review. They’ll do this anytime they feel it’s necessary, when your review period is approaching, or when you’ve told them of any changes about how your disability affects you.

During a review, the DWP will send you a letter containing your PIP review form. You’ll have four weeks to complete and submit this. Just like when you originally claimed, you’ll need to describe how difficult or easy different tasks are to complete, and whether anything has changed since your last assessment, particularly if your condition has gotten better or worse, and how this change has impacted you. You’ll also need to include an up-to-date review of any treatment, therapy or medication you receive.

As a result of a PIP review, the DWP will either:

Extend your PIP award
End your PIP award
Increase or decrease your payments

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