Figures released by the DWP have revealed that it is the department, rather than assessment providers who are largely to blame for the huge delays in PIP review decisions. They also show that claimants who ask for a review due to a change of circumstances get a much quicker decision.

Last week, disability minister Stephen Timms answered a written parliamentary question on the average wait for a PIP review decision.

He told MPs that, as of September 2024, the median wait for a review initiated by the DWP is :

  • 290 days where it is referred to an assessment provider; and
  • 252 days where it is not referred to an assessment provider.

This suggest that over 8 months of the waiting time is down to the DWP, with assessment providers adding just over a month to the process.

The waiting time for a change of circumstances review requested by a claimant is very much shorter, however, at 69 days.

Timms did offer the reassurance that “Whilst reviews are outstanding, all payments to existing claimants continue. Should a review identify eligibility for an increased award, backdated payments will be made where appropriate to ensure claimants are not adversely impacted by delays.”

Back in September, Timms told MPs that the DWP were recruiting additional case manager to work on PIP.

He also said that the new suppliers of health assessments would be recruiting new health professionals “to ensure they have sufficient capacity to deliver the required volume of assessments”.

However, it now appears that additional health professionals will have little effect on waiting times unless the DWP gets its own house in order.

It is clear that the DWP will be working on some major projects over the coming year. 

There is the flood of managed migrations from ESA to UC which won’t end before December 2025.  And there is the likely change to the work capability assessment due to be announced soon.  Plus there are wholesale changes to the role of jobcentres, which will be unveiled in a forthcoming white paper.

And that’s without taking into account the changes to disability benefits that may be announced in the Spring

In May 2024, there were 392,000 outstanding PIP award reviews.  That is a massive backlog. 

With all their other projects, it seems unlikely that urgently tackling the delays in planned PIP reviews will be much of a priority, in spite of the difficulties and uncertainty that it causes to hundreds of thousands of claimants.

You can read the full parliamentary answer here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    I waited 16 months from my review form arriving to getting my pip reaward letter today....same amounts, for 6 yrs (due to schizo-affective and ptsd), on paper- scrutiny only.  So much anxiety and prayer and fearing the worst (all year the demons where gloating that i wouldn't get it)  So grateful I've got it.  Next assessment will be 4.5 yrs off retirement....so praying they will leave me alone.  Still got ESA to UC change at some point. 😕
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    Anyone know how long It takes to have an interview/assessment on pip once you have returned the review form 
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      · 2 days ago
      @AB I sent my review form in December 2023, I am still waiting unfortunately. 
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    · 5 days ago
    Hello, just seen the press release from B & W about the White Paper. A new 'consultation' in the Spring in relation to 'the spiralling costs of the welfare bill'.  We've been here before under the last Government. The reforms = cost cutting.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Please will somebody answer a question e s a support group not intended to prepare for work or look for work in this group so what's Liz Kendall doing for people on the support group e s a who cannot work and who are expected not be able to
    Work placed in this group anybody know ? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @Sadly Simon (again) People on pip are not being moved to UC. that is only one type of ESA, not pip.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @No known Nobody knows for sure at the moment, one would suspect, after all claimants are placed in the Universal Credit system, overtime, they will reassess "all claimants" and apply pressure to those who they consider "able" to be productive, based around (again, guesswork) a more stringent assessment process. This seems likely, given what we know and the fact they have somewhat of a nightmare on their hands at the moment with unemployment rates.

      Although much of the talk at this time, appears to be centered around youth unemployment rates, with attendant conversations about "long term" sickness.

      At the moment, if/when you move across to UC, you will likely be in as similar position for the "foreseeable future" - but again, to restate, nobody knows the particulars just yet, but we should find out soon.

      All I can add, is try not to worry too much about this, but I understand the "dread" of change and the fear of potential hardship or destitution.

      It's not your fault - plod on - one day at a time.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    all bluster. sure we will get the usual rhetoric getting people back to work etc what we have all heard before but to implement these schemes will take an awful lot of money and with the apparent £22 billion back hole we are all sick of hearing about it doesnt look very sustainable. Farming out employment support to local authorities? lol. do me a favour most local authorities are in huge debt where will the money materialise to get them to do what is asked? waffle
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    My award for PIP isn't due to be reviewed until next year. My wife has had a phone call from the DWP saying that they are going to be sending out a review form in the post now. Has anyone else had a similar phone call, as I'm finding this quite unnerving. 
    Thank you in advance for your replies
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @A The dreaded brown envelope has landed. Took ten days to get here, and they want it back in next to no time. There's a massive media hit on people who suffer anxiety and depression need to get a grip and get back to work. If only these journalists knew the real story behind the conditions. As normal the DWP seem to aim at the wrong people and look at every opportunity to try and trip us up by the wording on their questions and our answers. 
      Back into my shell.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @A They always send the review forms way before the review date. It's ostensibly so there's time to do the review before the award end date so payments don't stop. It's not a cause for worry - fill it in by the date they tell you and include any new evidence you have of a continuation/deterioration of your condition(s). 

      The way things are, the review won't actually be done by the time your award ends, but if it isn't you're likely to get a letter 35 days before the end date, indicating the award has been extended for a year. You just need to concentrate on doing your review form, and sending any new evidence, even after you've sent the form. Keep a record of what you send and when.

      If you're anxious as the award end approaches, ring them to confirm you've sent the review form and find out what's happening.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @A It is nice that your wife has had a Phone call from the DWP saying That they are going to be sending Out a review form in the post now. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @A Nearly everybody receives the form a yr before 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @A When I had my PIP review last year, I received a review form DWP and then had to submit my form about six months before my PIP award was due to end.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    Liz Kendall's "Getting Britain Working" White paper will be released on Tuesday. 

    It will go after the age bracket between 18-25 who aren't in any form of work or training or education, Liz Kendall mentioned "self diagnosed" Mental Illness, I never knew you could claim benefits from self diagnosis, I thought you need doctors' input.

    Mental Health and 18-25 year olds has been mentioned constantly as of late by Liz Kendall, I mention this as it's called priming, Downing Street/MP's prime the media as to what is coming legislative wise.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Netty You might have a point there 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Dave Dee What Liz Kendall is not saying, even though she's informed about this by very recent studies, is that the majority of those young people are not on benefits and that sanctions and conditions will only have very limited impact, as they'll only effect the tiny number who are on benefits.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @CaroA Personally I think politicians like to appear very knowledgeable on  any given subject and love to throw around sound bites to make them sound clever. History of DWP ministers has show us they seldom last very long once they have stepped in it with their clever sounding slogans and statements 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @AJ I notice Liz Kendall has mentioned fluctuating illnesses as well and I wonder what they have planned around this form of disability.  I'm hoping they realise some of us fluctuate from God awful to just bearable each day.... whatever the formal diagnosis!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Dave Dee Reading the work well program,  it's 18-25, people with carers responsibilities , over 50s
      Any one a long term health condition , people  with multiple health conditions ,they do agree that there some people disabilities are too severe to work. 
      We are all going to be recessed at some point ( to c if we fit the new criteria for the benefit/ rules they bringing in. Will be recessed at some point. Recessed more often. 
      You will be tend an  assesment, if they find you able to prepare to move in to, you have do job, prep , interviews, attend training etc. they support any other help you need to find work, if they find you not able to work at the present time, you will be signposted to talking therapies, CBT , OH, physio, social prescriber , local gym programs. Excepted to take one of more of them up. " So they can get us  fit and healthy,  cure us  to prepare for work/ get a job/ stay in work. Will know more on Tuesday when the white paper comes out. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    From today's Mail on Sunday: Keir Starmer declares war on benefits Britain: Prime Minister vows to crack down on £137billion welfare 'blight'
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @Rik I'm not surprised. Labour are worried about Reform/Tories and both Reform/Tories straight up detest incapacity benefit claimants, Labour does too but many thought not as much. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    What if you have  ongoing  pip I'm only seen all this today and I have a car x 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 days ago
    If a pip review is delayed and pip continues to be paid, presumably, this means that if the eventual assessment finds that a person is not eligible, all this pip will have to be repaid, this will cause considerable hardship. In my experience, every pip reassessment has bean scored very low with zero pip awarded and every appeal has resulted in enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility pip. This leads to a rollercoaster pip application and payment process, and wrecks one's mental health.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 days ago
      @B Brown Surely it's the fault of the DWP that the review and assessment is delayed I can't see them trying to retrieve money in that case
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 days ago
    Further to my comment below, proposals in relation to 'welfare reform' to be set out in the New Year
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 days ago
    I know this strictly the right forum, but the long awaited (and dreaded) White Paper from Kendall will be published on Tuesday.....
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @CarolK Provided they scrap reassessment. Otherwise, if you keep getting reassessed, at one point in time, you might well be treated as no different from a claimant on their first assessment.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @Matt It is dreaded but hopeful that all the new proposals apply to new claimants only, as they keep reiterating about the rise in claims. Very awful for new claimants if so.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 days ago
    IV been waiting from November 23, for my review so by the looks of things it could be years from now 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 9 days ago
    I can relate to most of these. My review papers were put in February 2024, the odd text from them. No review assessment yet but checked automated line yesterday and £193.72 payment. Which doesn’t add up. I was getting £290. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    I completed my review and sent it back to the DWP in June My PIP is due to expire May 25 So I hope that it will be dealt with by then Due to the worsening and new symptoms added to my syndrome of conditions I am now  housebound The wait for  a completed review continues Along with the hope to finally get a diagnosis and prognosis of all my health conditions at some point next year 18 MONTHS and counting life is not easy with my health and with a son on the ASD spectrum too Without the stress of a PIP review But then life is not always easy
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Anne Can i ask if your PIP was awarded following a PIP assessment or Tribunal?
      As at my last review, my PIP was stopped because the DWP hadn't completed the assessment by the time the award ended.  Ans when i complained, i was told by the DWP that if a PIP award is as a a result of a tribunal, then the DWP cannot legally extend the award ….

      Reading this back, it sounds like more DWP lies but at the time I was so stressed i accepted it 🥹
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 days ago
      @Clare Hi Clare - you will be covered, I, like you sent in my review last June.  I called to enquire when I might expect the result and was told "if you havent heard by the 13th December it means that you will automatically be awarded the same PIP entitlement you are currently receiving for another year.  When the review is finally made any increase will be backdated to June 24.

      I hope this helps - it at least gives mental relief that I wont lose my current claim.... and that I will be able to extend my Blue Badge for another year.  On the 13th December I can call and request an updated "cert of evidence" which will be until Dec 2025

      Fondest 
      Anne 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 days ago
      @Clare Write to dwp giving additional information about your deteriorating conditions. This means, when the assessment eventually happens, it will be based on your current situation.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    I have written to my MP about the PIP review and how I am about to loose my blue badge and bus pass, I’m not holding out much hope. I could be house bound in 4 weeks time.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 days ago
      @Gary E Hi Gary - DP CALL THEM, you should be covered, I, like you sent in my review (last June).  
      I phoned to enquire when I might expect the result (because my blue badge would also expire) and was told "if you haven't heard by the 13th December it means that you will automatically be awarded the same PIP entitlement you are currently receiving for another year. When the review is finally made any increase will be backdated to June 24".

      I hope this helps - 
      At least it gives mental relief that I wont lose my current claim and that I will be able to 
      extend my Blue Badge for another year. 
      On the 13th December (the date my PIP will be carried over if the review has not been completed) I can call and request an updated "cert of evidence" which will be dated until Dec 2025 and enable me to get a new blue badge

      Fondest
      Anne 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Well thank you for the update I submitted my review forms on the 10/5/24 and they confirmed receipt on 31/5/24. I have received 3 confirmations of receipt since then at 3 month intervals. But if there are 392,000 claim reviews outstanding how many are they processing each week/month and are they doing in reverse order oldest first. My current award runs out 2/3/25 what happens then?gary
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Gary 66 You will still continue to receive your current award, even after expiration. Nothing changes.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    I’ve been waiting since January 2024 for my review decision.. it’s disgusting… They initially awarded me less points than I should’ve had so at the review. I’m hoping that my PIP award will be increased and given mobility component since I am disabled and qualify and have qualified for a blue badge.. I have called many times. I’ve updated them throughout the year and still I have no results yet. I’ve even asked if I could have a mandatory reconsideration for the review to be completed because it’s wholly negligent. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    My review started in June 2024 and should be done early January 2025 but I imagine that date will be missed. Another text to saying we still have your PIP review form and we will be progressing your review as soon as we can. You may still need an accessment. We will keep paying you money until the review is completed. Maybe I will get a reply by next June.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    I sent my review form back in July 24,got a text to say they received it. Heard nothing so rang up was told there is a 53 week wait and if it's longer you will get a extension for 1 year untill a decision is made.The reason for delay was because they are dealing with new claims as priority.

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