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Jul 27, 2023

New PIP light touch review process due to start this month for people with an ongoing award

People on PIP who have reached State Pension age will also receive the new light touch review form. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that it was reviewing the design of

People on PIP who have reached State Pension age will also receive the new light touch review form.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that it was reviewing the design of the ‘light touch’ review process following helpful insight provided by stakeholders, including Parkinson’s UK and other organisations representing people with long-term health conditions. At the time it said the aim was to “have the minimum necessary contact with the claimant to check whether anything has changed, adjust the award if needed, and ensure we hold up to date information”.

The principle of a light touch review for ongoing awards was introduced when PIP launched in 2013 and as the first claims of 10 year duration are now coming to an end, DWP have confirmed that a new, shorter review form will be in place from August for those with an ongoing award, or people who have reached State Pension age.

The six-page review form (AR2) is considerably shorter than the current 16-page form (AR1). It’s worth noting that anyone completing a new PIP claim has to complete a 33-page form.

According to the independent forum, Benefits and Work, the new light touch review form is being issued to existing PIP claimants who have:

The six-page review form covers:

If there has been no change in a claimant’s circumstances, an assessment with a health professional will not be needed.

DWP guidance states that you will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed. Claimants will receive the form along with a covering letter.

The letter from DWP will:

As with all review forms, there is a time limit in which to return the form - usually one month, the date will be on the letter. However, if you need more time to complete it, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 as soon as possible.

You can view a sample of the review form on the Benefits and Work forum, here.

The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of April 2023, there were 3.3 million people across Great Britain claiming PIP, including almost 300,000 living in Scotland. The Scottish figure will decrease over the coming months as more existing claimants are transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

The new devolved disability benefit replaced new claims for PIP in Scotland last summer along with a phased migration from DWP to the Social Security Scotland welfare system which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Following the annual benefits uprating in April, a successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period.

While many claimants may be aware of the list of changes in circumstances that must be reported to the DWP in order for them to continue receiving uninterrupted payments, there are several changes that do not need to be declared.

It's also worth noting that more than 319,000 existing PIP claimants in Scotland will still need to report certain changes to DWP until they have been transferred to the Social Security Scotland IT system, due to be completed by the end of 2025.

PIP is not a means-tested benefit and can be paid whether the claimant is working or not, so there is no need to inform the DWP if you:

However, guidance on the GOV.UK website states that you must contact the PIP enquiry line if:

Your personal details change - for example, your name, address or doctor

The help you need or your condition changes

Your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than six months

You go into hospital or a care home

You go abroad (for more than four weeks)

You are imprisoned or held in detention

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The GOV.UK website goes on to warn: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”

So, if you have recently moved home or switched to a new doctor, don't put off reporting the change any longer - especially if you are on PIP living in Scotland as Social Security Scotland will use the information the DWP holds on you when you are transferred over the new devolved benefits system.

Before making the call you will need your National Insurance number, bank account details and GP name and address in order for the DWP to verify your identity.

Find out more information on the GOV.UK website here.