The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made a big statement, declaring that “in most cases” people nearing the end of their decade-long Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards this year will not entail an in-person assessment.
Streamlined PIP Review: Changes and Sample Form Preview
The change is an extension of the new streamlined PIP review procedure, which involves a shorter form now being sent to recipients of ‘light-touch’ awards that normally last five to ten years.
For individuals interested in the future changes, the DWP has made a sample ‘PIP AR2’ form available on the GOV.UK website as part of the PIP Toolkit, for reference only.
This sample form is a useful preview for light-touch award recipients, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the questions they’ll need to answer on the six-page document and prepare any essential information before getting official mail from the DWP.
Since 2019, ongoing payments have primarily been reserved for individuals who require the highest level of assistance or whose ailments are likely to remain stable or worsen over time. Notably, this includes the vast majority of those who have reached the State Pension age, according to the Daily Record.
DWP’s Comprehensive Six-Page PIP Review Form: Sections and Details
The six-page review form includes:
- Identity and contact information.
- Immigration status details.
- Primary healthcare provider.
- Updates on your health condition or disability.
- Updates on your daily living requirements.
- Updates on your mobility needs.
- Your consent for the DWP to gather additional information.
The PIP AR2 form includes 16 questions covering subjects including:
 About You
- Q1 – Your name.
- Q2 – Your date of birth.
- Q3 – Your address.
- Q4 – Is this a hospital, hospice or other residential or nursing care accommodation?
- Q5 – Your correspondence address.
- Q6 – A phone number DWP can contact you on.
- Q7 – Have there been any changes to your immigration status? – additional space is provided to write an answer
- Q8 – Tell DWP anything they need to know about how they communicate with you – additional space is provided to write an answer
Information about the primary healthcare practitioner involved in your care
- Q9: What is their name?
- Q10: What is their profession?
- Q11: What’s their phone number?
- Q12: What is the address where they work?
Details about your health condition or disability
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The form also states, “PIP is assessed based on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.”
Questions 13, 14, and 15 are given the most room on the form to provide extra information.
- Q13 – Have there been any changes in your health or impairment since the DWP last awarded PIP?
- Q14 – Have your daily living needs changed since the DWP last decided on your PIP?
- Q15 – Have your mobility needs altered since the DWP last decided on your PIP?
- Q16 – Do you consent to your doctor or other relevant specialists providing the DWP with further information about your health condition or disability?
The final question also offers advice on requesting DWP permission to acquire more information about how your health condition affects you.
The form explains: “The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or approved healthcare professionals that work for DWP, might need more information about your health condition or disability and how it affects you.”
“They might ask, with your consent, for relevant information from your doctor, or any other relevant professional you tell them about.”
“DWPÂ can lawfully ask your doctor, hospital consultant or other relevant professionals for information about your health condition and how it affects you. This is because we are asking for the information to help us carry out our official social security functions.”
It further explains, “You do not have to give your consent. If you do not, DWP will make a decision based on the information they have already, as well as any you give DWP yourself.”
The last page of the paper contains a declaration for the claimant to sign and date. The AR2 award review form can be found online.
According to the DWP, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) review procedure ensures that current PIP beneficiaries continue to receive their payments during the review period. Claimants will get the form along with an explanatory letter.
Like most review forms, it has a deadline, which is normally one month after the letter and form are sent. If completing it within this deadline becomes difficult, call the PIP inquiry line at 0800 121 4433 immediately.
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