The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced a major update for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit - but how will it affect you?
The benefits department recently confirmed claimants reaching the end of their 10-year PIP award this year would not be required to attend a face-to-face medical assessment as part of a benefits review. First introduced in 2013, PIP is now the main disability benefit for working-age people with disabilities or medical conditions and around three million people in the UK claim it.
When you are granted PIP, if it is not an indefinite 10-year award, you'll get it for a fixed amount of time and the DWP will need to review it when it ends. In August 2023, the DWP introduced the "light touch" review for PIP claimants coming up to their first review after getting the indefinite award.
However, campaigners and claimants voiced fears that the “light touch” with no medical assessment could see claims cut or withdrawn without the medical evidence to support claims.
What is a ‘light touch’ PIP review?
Unlike a full review, which involves a detailed examination of your health conditions and how they affect your daily life, a light touch review focuses on confirming that there haven’t been significant changes in your circumstances since your last assessment. You might not need to provide extensive new medical evidence or documentation during a light touch review, and the process may involve a brief questionnaire or a short phone call rather than a full face-to-face assessment.
Specifically, these reviews usually look for major changes in your condition or needs. If there haven't been any significant changes they can be completed quickly. The light touch review aims to be less intrusive and stressful for people whose ongoing conditions are severe and either unlikely to change or likely to deteriorate.
The light touch review can apply to individuals who have reached state pension age or those with lifelong conditions who receive the enhanced rate of both daily living and mobility components.
What does a light touch PIP review include?
The DWP has published a sample form which gives claimants an idea of the types of questions asked during a light touch review and the specific information that may be required. The six page form is for reference only, and is intended to help claimants prepare before receiving official correspondence from the DWP.
Questions in the form cover things such as identity, immigration status, any changes to a health condition or disability and changes to daily living or mobility needs. However, it does note that the DWP may need further information about a health condition or disability, which could include “relevant information from your doctor”. If there haven't been any significant changes - or any at all - an assessment with a healthcare professional will not be needed. If this is the case all you need to do is return your form before the deadline, if it is missed your PIP payments may be stopped. Although you can appeal this.
Can my award change after a ‘light touch’ review?
This week it was revealed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) from the Child Poverty Action Group that the DWP had conducted over 500 light tough PIP reviews since last August. Of the 521 conducted, 97% or 508 were finalised without an assessment with a healthcare professional.
In only three cases, PIP benefits were cut. In two claims, the PIP entitlement was reduced and in one it was disallowed altogether. This data backs up the notion that the likelihood of a light touch review affecting the amount of PIP a person is awarded is relatively low. As mentioned before, the primary goal of a light touch review is to confirm that there haven’t been significant changes in the claimant’s circumstances or condition.
The light touch review usually covers those with severe, long-term conditions or who receive the enhanced rate of both daily living and mobility components. Due to the nature of these conditions, they are less likely to change, reducing the chance of a reduction in benefits. However, claimants should be aware that changes can happen.