Still waiting for PIP review

Hi everyone

I thought I would post here and see if other people had experienced similar. Long story short... My PIP 'award' runs until mid-September this year.

In February, I was asked to submit my application for renewal. I managed to get it in for the deadline (which wasn't easy – The effort involved in dredging everything up again and writing it down, and the usual response period being much shorter than specified on the letter because, as we all know, DWP delay sending it out so it's normally a week from the date of the letter before you receive it... Anyway, I digress).

Since then, I've had confirmation they received it and a few text messages saying it's still being reviewed. I hate having it hanging over me for so long. We're now about a month away, and still nothing further. Should I be concerned? Why is it taking them so long to review it when they've had my application and all the evidence for almost 6 months now? Does it mean anything that it is taking so long, and should I be worried? Or is it likely just delays with a backlog of reviews?

What happens if the date of the current award passes? Will it continue until the review? If the 'award' is reduced/stopped and I do mandatory reconsideration and then request a tribunal (which is what I had to do last time to get the award), do the payments stop and only get backdated if I'm successful?

I've checked a few times online on the gov website, and the date is still mid next month – It's not been extended.

I've had a horror of a last 18 months or so with lots of other issues to deal with (inc bereavement and issues around Mum's care). I have also been the point of contact for Mum's benefits - I filled in a form on Mum's behalf and heard nothing more. Part of my worry is DWP will make the ridiculous leap, as we know they can do – If you can be the point of contact for your Mum, clearly you're fine and don't qualify for PIP. It's not easy for me, but it was out of necessity. There's nobody else to do it. Or rather, I'm the only sibling who gives a frig and deals with it.

Anyway... I've rambled on long enough. What do people think? Is this lengthy delay par for the course? Should I be worried? Or even if I should worry, I guess maybe I need to put it out of my mind, as there is nothing I can do about it.

Thank you