PIP light touch for pensioners

Being 66 years old, I was pleased to see that the DWP would just be giving a 10 year light touch to pensioners on PIP. My blue badge is coming up for renewal and as there is new legislation, was told you now can't renew, you have to re apply. I started to complete the form and when it came to the PIP award dates, contacted blue badge, in the light of the new 'light touch'. I was told that they can only give the badge to the end of the award date and suggested I contact PIP to get a new letter. I contacted PIP after reading the statement on the DWP site. I was told the light touch only applies to pensioners on high rate awards! I pointed out that is not what their website states, nor is the letter I received from Amber Rudd's department saying that. Both clearly state pensioners. No mention of having to be on high rate. Is this correct?

[quote="chris
" post=239046]Being 66 years old, I was pleased to see that the DWP would just be giving a 10 year light touch to pensioners on PIP. My blue badge is coming up for renewal and as there is new legislation, was told you now can't renew, you have to re apply. I started to complete the form and when it came to the PIP award dates, contacted blue badge, in the light of the new 'light touch'. I was told that they can only give the badge to the end of the award date and suggested I contact PIP to get a new letter. I contacted PIP after reading the statement on the DWP site. I was told the light touch only applies to pensioners on high rate awards! I pointed out that is not what their website states, nor is the letter I received from Amber Rudd's department saying that. Both clearly state pensioners. No mention of having to be on high rate. Is this correct?[/quote]

Hi Chris,

If I were you I would call them again. I often get unsatisfactory answers so I phone again and sometimes again until I do get a satisfactory answer.

It all depends who you speak to. It's quite possible the person you spoke to was on their first day on the phones and believe you me; having done lots of call centre work myself, I can vouch that 'fobbing off' or 'winging it' and giving incorrect information due to lack of experience are all too sadly the norm.

Good luck,

Phrank.

When I called, the lady I was speaking to couldn't answer my question. She said she would speak to an assessor to check if she could send a new letter. She called me back and informed me that the assessor said I have to be reassessed in February. My award is until August next year. Previously I was on high rate DLA mobility and standard care for life!