In a sign of continuing chaos, the DWP has gone back on its undertaking to automatically extend PIP awards by 12 months when a review is due, the welfare rights workers site Rightsnet has reported.

Back in September, we reported that the DWP had officially confirmed that PIP claims awaiting a review would be automatically extended by ‘up to 12 months’ and that, from 31 October, claimants would receive a letter confirming their continued entitlement.  The news was announced in the DWP’s official stakeholders bulletin Touchbase.

However, Rightsnet has now revealed that in a further email to stakeholders the DWP has now said that the scheme will not be up and running until ‘early to mid-December’.

The DWP did say that “'Anyone needing a statement before this can contact the helpline 0800 1214 433 and we will issue a certification of entitlement for proof of their PIP award. Otherwise, claimants do not need to contact us unless their circumstances change.”

The announcement is further evidence of the DWP’s inability to manage its current workload and casts even more doubt on the likelihood of it being capable of safely managing the forced transfer of 2.6 million legacy benefits claimants to universal credit by the end of 2024.

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    Alexander · 1 years ago
    I sent in my PIP renewal on 30/8/2021. Since then I have had 3 messages from DWP stating " We still have your PIP form and will be progressing your review as soon as we can. You may still need an accessment with a health professional.Your PIP will be continued to be paid until we review your claim. You only need to contact us if your circumstances change". So I await with an abundance of anxiety....
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    Mumz · 1 years ago
    My PIP review was for in August 22 but extended to May 23. My sons was extended from February 23 to August 23. But I've had to do the review forms for us both. I had until July, he had until October. So they ignored the extention gave even though they are so far behind and as they we've had no decision. My blue badge has run out and I'm still waiting for my council to decide if I can have one, despite getting enhanced mobility and in a wheelchair, and how long it will be for. 
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    Lisa · 1 years ago
    About 4 months ago I got a renewal pip form to fill out did so have lots of changes like I've had to have a whole wet room put in for my needs and I'm on crutches permanently and few other things after 3 months I rang to be told they haven't looked at it yet will get to it at some stage as my pip isn't up for renewal till July 2023 I'm confused as to why they have got me to fill it in so far in advance I know of a women who is the same but hers has been completed already  I then got a text 2 weeks ago from them to say 
    We still have your forms and will process it as so as we can 
    Has anyone else had to send in forms so early.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Rob · 1 years ago
      @Lisa Yes dec2021 review firm came they had extended pip for a year nov 22 then kept calling through 2022 to be told it’s still in progress and actually it’s nov 23 it expires so had telephone assessment today March 2023 after submitting new evidence Jan 2023. So await decision but to be fair assessor was ok, and no issues. 
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    Sally Hook · 1 years ago
    Wow, so much for delayed reviews, I got my review paperwork last week but my current claim runs to October 2023. It was dated 5 November and took 12 days to get to me. I have asked for and been granted an extension to complete. I have mental health and physical health issues. I am in such a state now as I wasn't expecting this. Then of course there will be the 20 week wait for a decision. I am having a nightmare. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Caroline · 1 years ago
      @Chockfan My PIP runs  out in Nov 23 should they have been in contact with me yet. I have chased last month and told they will get round to it. Worried my payments will stop. 
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      Jj · 1 years ago
      @Chockfan I'm the same sent my renewal off August keep getting text saying they have my paperwork ect...but now my illnesses are worse than 6 months ago..so stressfull/painfull ..do they not realise about how it affects us re anxiety stress ..I just hope I don't need another assessment as don't think my mind and body xan take it 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Andy W · 1 years ago
      @Sally Hook That is ridiculous and cruel of DWP. They sent renewal paperwork even though you had 11 months prior to your current claim running out in Oct 23. So much can change in that time and leaving you hanging around for so long is disgraceful. I had mine extended from Jul 23 to Apr 24. They sent my extension out about Nov 2021. I just thought WHY so long between dates. I had a full blown panic attack when I filled out the paperwork last time and was taken to hospital by ambulance just to be on the safe side. I always thought they sent paperwork out 6 months prior to your claim running out. How wrong am I. I am now 60 and if anything my conditions have just got worse so I am hoping they will simply keep me on it indefinitely as I know I will never work again....
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      Margaret · 1 years ago
      @Sally Hook Please don't upset yourself, it will all work out ok I'm sure, I know how worrying it is waiting to be assessed and then waiting for the outcome, praying for a good result 🙏
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sally · 1 years ago
      @Chockfan Thank you. I'm trying my best. 
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    A. Laban · 1 years ago
    Two miracles occured this morning and l am still lying in a dark room trying to process them! I called DWP at 9 exactly & after going through all the faff, l got through straight away!!! 😳😳😳😳 l honestly couldn't speak to the lady for a good twenty seconds from the shock. Then she went on to say that after a year waiting for a review, l have gotten a year's extension & can finally stop worrying about my blue badge for a while. Think l've woken up in an alternate universe...
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    royston · 1 years ago
    Been waiting for letter confirmation of my entitlement as of today dispite three phone calls to them and promises of sending them out! On phone again now with another hour or longer wait. I did ask if they could email the confirmation out and was told they don’t do that. At wits end blue badge and bus pass due but can’t prove entitlement. DWP should be ashamed of themselves doing this to vulnerable people. Disgraceful!!!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jane b · 1 years ago
      @A Yes I have also had the authorities checking and have now replied for renewal of my blue badge so they will be doing this again for me.I have waited since last Aug for a review and get text messages from them saying they are reviewing my claim so still cannot understand why it’s taking so long.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A · 1 years ago
      @MooBear So did I Moo Bear!  
      Blue Badge issuing authorities  can do online check to confirm your entitlement. I now have my new blue badge.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MooBear · 1 years ago
      @royston Apply anyway. Send copies of your previous application. I did. 
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    MrFibro · 1 years ago
    Sods law, after 14 months of waiting for a pip review, they have called me up for a telephone assessment.  So much for a 12 month extention.

    We all know the true reason behind this, the goverment wants to claw back monies of disabled people to fill in this black hole of debt they created in the tune of 60 billion quid.

    The quicker they can assess claimants the sooner they can either:  downgrade or kick you off your benefits.

    So putting the block on an extension of 12 months is in their favour not ours.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Andy W · 1 years ago
      @MrFibro Whatever happens to you. Even if they turn you down, you must always appeal. I appealed back in 2015 and finally got my day in court and before I even sat down I was told by the judge my mobility claim had been accepted in full and they just wanted to ask me a few questions about my daily living. Thirty minutes later I was granted the highest award for both and this was after I was awarded 0 points for Mobility and 0 points for Daily Living. I can promise you, the DWP hates getting taken to court as they generally end up losing and often the judge and panel are not amused with DWP as everyone has the same information. The judge actually said why on earth I was even in his courtroom was beyond him. Apparently, a DWP spokesperson was meant to attend but never did. If they had, they would have gotten a right tongue lashing...
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      Eileen · 1 years ago
      @MrFibro I am exactly the same !! Submitted my form July 2021 ! Waiting for extension letter , and got a telephone appointment for the 1dec - and I’m moving house on the 2nd 😵‍💫 phoned and their only option was to stop my claim completely as I am moving to Scotland and out of the area that Capita covers - so much for the United Kingdom a happy family of nations 🤬

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