According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 3.5 million people are now claiming Personal Independence Payment. This highlights the growing demand for disability assistance.
DWP Warns of Potential Payment Breaks for Expired PIP Awards
In order to manage the surge in PIP applications, the DWP is focusing on the fast-tracking of new claims for people who urgently need financial assistance.
Simultaneously, initiatives have been established to prevent nearly 440,000 existing recipients from facing setbacks due to expiring awards. People whose PIP awards are about to end have a reason to feel relieved, as officials announced automatic payment extensions for up to one year during the review period.
The DWP, however, cautions that delaying the renewal processes could lead to a “break in payment” for those whose fixed-term awards are ending, especially if they have no upcoming review dates.
DWP Ensures PIP Support Continuity with Backdating and Renewal Reminders
Dealing with this matter, DWP Minister Mims Davies MP stated that when someone's current PIP award ends and payments stop, any approved renewal claim can be backdated to the date of the first claim, thus protecting beneficiaries from losing crucial funds, the authorities say.
In addition, the DWP Minister emphasized that reminders will be sent out six months prior to an awards expiration, to encourage claimants to act if they wish to keep getting PIP support.
The minister stressed that the current processing period for new PIP claims is 15 weeks from when the application is submitted, as reported by the Express.
Ms Davies issued this written response after DUP MP Jim Shannon asked about the steps the DWP was taking to provide financial support for disabled people while they awaited decisions on PIP and other benefits.
The minister responded: “We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, considering the need to review all available evidence, including that from the claimant.”
“PIP can be awarded with a fixed-term duration to the award without a review date.”
She went on to say: “In these circumstances the department issues a reminder to the claimant six months prior to the existing award coming to an end so that if the claimant wants to continue with PIP they need to submit a new claim.”
“These renewal claims are treated as new claims and where the current average end-to-end clearance period is 15 weeks from the point the claim is submitted.”
“Where a claimant delays making their renewal claim, but submits it shortly before their existing award ends, they could experience a break in payment, but the award can be backdated to the date of claim ensuring that claimants don't lose out in these circumstances.”
The DWP Minister highlighted that this method is also applied to Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, where fixed-term awards can be granted, and notifications are issued before an award expires.