Renewals for PIP are in a state of chaos, with claimants left terrified that their PIP is suddenly going to stop because a new decision has not been made by the time their award is due to end.
Last month, after hearing from members whose PIP renewals had been delayed due to a lack of available assessments, we asked readers to tell us if they’d had similar experiences.
The responses we’ve received make it clear that the PIP renewal system is currently badly broken.
The main cause of the chaos appears to be an increase in the number of fresh claims for PIP and a decision by the DWP to prioritise these over existing claims, but without any effort to explain what is happening and give claimants a written extension to their award.
We can report, however, that so far we have not heard from anyone whose PIP award has actually been stopped due to a failure to make a new decision. Instead, awards seem to be being allowed to run on, but frequently without the claimant being told in writing that this will happen.
Anxiety of not knowing
It is this entirely avoidable uncertainty about whether their award will suddenly end that is causing enormous anxiety for some readers.
“Had to extension due to covid & renewal form in May 21, completed returned with all consultant letters etc returned by 17th May 21 ( 13 July 21 cut if date for forms). Since then I’ve rung 4 times, to be told its waiting case manager review, last week my Mental Health support worker called and was told it’s in next batch for assessment call, can't say when it will be. PIP ends 12th March 22. How am I going to cope I’m losing my sight can’t go out as stuck on 1st floor flat no lift,my anxiety is off the scale . . .”
“I sent my forms back in June 2021. They have received them but I'm still waiting for a decision. I'm still receiving my low rate care so that's a blessing. But it is very stressful waiting to see when I check my bank whether they have paid me or just stopped my money. It’s been the case before that its stopped THEN I get the letter. Something is seriously wrong with the benefits system and it needs a complete overhaul in my opinion.”
Some readers have even been told that it is their responsibility to keep chasing up their renewal:
“Yes, I too was given an extension to 28/2/22 followed shortly after by a review form. I returned that in April 2021 and have phoned three times. The first time they confirmed it had been received, the second time it was with ‘the DM’ (Decision Maker) and the third time they agreed I had been waiting a long time so it would be sent to a ‘Case Manager’ at Capita. I was told to ring again to chase it up at the end of January. Apart from being desperate for a decision due to the anxiety this is causing, why should it be up to us to chase our claims? I’ve written to my MP about this but he has not even had the courtesy to acknowledge my email, let alone reply. Covid will always be an excuse and I do realise that everyone is busy but this treatment of people with disabilities and health problems is causing severe anxiety, harm and can only be described as disgraceful.”
Another reader has received a range of different explanations for the delays to their renewal and is even worried that they may end up with a large overpayment bill:
“I received a letter in 2020 saying my pip was extended due to covid. I then received a renewal form in June 2021 saying unless I returned by 31st July my award would stop. In passing during a phone call they said it was extended to September, they did not inform me of this in writing.
“I’ve been told when chasing various delays - it’s still in a backlog pile or it’s with an assessor for an assessment. When the organisation that has supported me writing my application chases it they said “Oh no, it’s not going for assessment at all it’s just in the backlog pile”. I’ve chased again last week and been told it is with assessor but no date been given - they have told me if I have not heard by March (when my claim ends apparently although I’m now so confused when my claim ends) I’m to ring and chase again.
“So in summary I don’t know when my claim ends - I don’t know whether I need an assessment (this causes me huge anxiety as I’m agoraphobic as well as other medical issues) - and more recently I asked if they change my claim will I have to pay anything back - they stated I would only have to pay back if it was deemed I had failed to tell them a change - well there has been changes but only worse as I’ve now been diagnosed with a neurological condition .
“so I’m left confused and very anxious - my renewal has been with them since July 2021.”
Reassurance given
Some readers have been reassured by the DWP that their claim will not end if a new decision is not made in time. But even then, this has been done verbally but not in writing.
“I received my review forms April ‘21 and returned them in July. I was lucky enough to have 3 months to complete & return form. My original award was extended until March 2022.
“I emailed them a couple of weeks ago and actually got a response: there has been an administrative error with my claim form and they have passed it on to the assessment team.
“Reassuringly, after I had queried if my award would stop in March I was told ‘ Please rest assured that your PIP will remain in payment until a decision is completed and if there is an increase to your award the difference will be paid back to [review date].”
“I sent off the PIP renewal form on 31/8/21 by registered post. as I had not heard from the DWP by 31/12/21, I called them in early January to enquire why I had not heard anything. I was told that there was a massive delay owing to Covid and that I should not worry as the DWP will get back to me. I continue to receive my PIP payments every month - it has not stopped.”
Change in condition
Some claimants, however, are desperate for their award to be looked at again because their condition has worsened and they now need more financial support. In these cases, every week without a decision simply makes their position harder to cope with.
“Nightmare! Notified DWP in June 2021 of a deterioration in my condition - heard nothing. Received a PIP review form in September which I returned on 6th Sept advising I was waiting for Neurologist appointment. Inevitable letter saying they hadn't received it etc etc. Phoned in Nov to be told claim was 'on the system' but not yet being assessed. Phoned again in Dec to be told it will be well into 2022 before I hear from them. Sent copy of letter in Dec from Neurologist confirming I have a muscle wasting disease and it is likely to be Motor Neurone Disease, MS or some other unpleasant conditions. 26th January now and still no communication whatsoever. So angry, frustrated and worried!!”
“I have been waiting 12 months for my pip renewal and been told it could be a other 8 months to wait. Is this ok? I have had changes to my health but have not been able to tell them about them. Is this right to wait this long?”
“I sent my renewal form back to the DWP September 2021 they received them on 6th September 2021 I chased them up on October 21st 2021 agent said because my condition has worsened I need an assessment he said I would receive a letter about it still waiting for this and it’s now nearly the end of January 2022, in November 2020 I received a letter saying my PIP award had been extended for 9 months ending on 22nd July 2022 I’m getting quite concerned now.”
Further information
We have now made a Freedom of information request to ask what guidance is issued to decision makers for dealing with cases where an assessment has not been carried out close to, or at the time, that an award is due to end. We have also asked for any statistics which show whether the number of claimants who have not received a timely renewal decision is increasing.
We’ll let you know when we get any responses.
