The DWP has developed an “automated Digital solution” which extends PIP awards repeatedly when they are close to ending if a review has still not been completed, a government minister has revealed this week.

Chloe Smith, minister for disabled people, disclosed the existence of the automated system in response to a parliamentary question about how many PIP claims are extended more than once.

Although Smith said that the figures for the number of claimants whose awards have been repeatedly extended was not available, she did admit that it was happening.

She told MPs:

“To protect PIP customers, we have developed an automated Digital solution which essentially extends the current award for cases where there is a risk that the claim will fall out of payment.

 “As we see continuing high demand for PIP new claims, customers are currently waiting longer than expected to have their claim reviewed, which has led to some awards being extended more than once.”

Have you had your PIP award extended because a review has still not been carried out?  Let us know in the comments section below.

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
People in conversation:
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Petunia · 1 years ago
    Yes I had my award extended but hadn’t received any letter and needed it for my blue badge. I only found out when I rang up to ask for help to do with getting a blue badge.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Stephen · 1 years ago
    My PIP renewal was Aug 2021 - forms in on time, nothing heard apart from letter extending to Apr 2022. I have severe mental health issues. Last PIP assessment 2019, the assessor asked if I was going to commit suicide that day, I said no - for the basis of the 2019 award, I was then judged as having no mental health issues at all! My personal care component was downgraded but they upgraded my mobility  so I didn’t lose money. You could say the protracted delay in progressing my Aug 2021 assessment is lost & much needed extra money - paying for extra help getting around - I lost my partner & carer to a hospital mistake 3yrs ago.

    In March my ESA mysteriously stopped. This happened for two payment dates - two phone calls later it’s now been rectified, the DWP officials I spoke to were helpful, but could offer no explanations. So for both benefits I now live on the edge of a sudden stop.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      LJ Maddison · 1 years ago
      @Stephen Hi Stephen
      Me too, I have constantly been living on a "knife edge" regarding benefits for the last 10 years.. Needless to say my mental health is suffering...
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Joseph · 1 years ago
    Last year I had my PIP extended to Dec 2022 then, in January this year, I was told that my review was now due and to fill in the form returning it by the 10th of February. So they brought it back to the normal review date after all. Now I read that everyone else is having their reviews extended. What is going on?
    I returned the form on 6th February, and during the course, I received a reminder that they had not received my review. I chose to ignore it as per instructions and presumed it was just a crossover of correspondence as my form has already been returned.
    Since then, I have received the annual increase letter stating the new PIP payments, but still no response regarding my review. It has now been three months and I have tried getting through by phone on several occasions and without success. The very time, I did get through after a forty-minute wait, I got cut off! Needless to say, they did not call me back.
    There is a theory that when you phone them enquiring about your long wait for the outcome, they actually take your call and review you on the phone without you fully realising what is happening. Even if they are straightforward with you, it is surely unwise to refuse such a review?
    Is this true, or is it a conspiracy theory?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Neil · 1 years ago
      @Joseph My pip award was extended until February 2023 where I received the renewal form March this which was completed & returned 1st class recorded delivery may I add..
      A paper decision was done the last time where that's been requested this time but just wondering how long do it actually take before I'm notified of a new decision..
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Théresa · 1 years ago
    My PIP award is to be due to end 6 June, after 2 extensions. I submitted the reassessment information by the date I was given in October but  I have heard nothing. Meanwhile, my disability bus pass has expired and the council will not renew without a new dated PIP assessment document.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Gilly · 1 years ago
      @Théresa Can your MP help, Theresa?  I would definitely make contact with them (maybe via letter or email, given your disability bus pass has expired!).  

      MPs really need to know how their own constituents are being affected: it's easy to waive off the stats regarding state benefits they get to read, but when they are faced with one of their own constituents (who may or may not choose to vote for them), it certainly gives them more reason to fight your case.  Good luck!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CMAnonymous · 1 years ago
      @Théresa I’ve looked at several claims that have been extended lately and they all have one thing in common, no notification to the claimant. I can recommend one thing. As I said one of the things I like at is further evidence received tasks. If a case has additional proof and evidence that supports your award review form you might get taken out of the queue.
      Something like a letter of support from a specialist, a report from GP etc will support your claim and may get you taken out of the queue if it’s good enough. 
      it’s not a promise and I definitely cannot guarantee it but it certainly won’t hurt your case in the long run. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jacki · 1 years ago
    My pip has been extended, the only reason I know is I'm still getting my payment.my reveiw was due June 2021.
    I was not informed at all of extention.
    Also my disabilities have worsened and was hoping for higher rate.Made 2 telephone calls to PIP just to be told call again in a few weeks which I did to be told the same. Given up now as each call waited 45mins to get through.
    Absolutely  discusting. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Elaine Davies · 1 years ago
      @Jacki My pip was due to end in March 2022. I needed to renew my Blue badge I phoned DWP which I couldn't on the advise of the blue badge dep to find my claim extended until May 2022, they sent me a covering letter and I was able to renew my badge but now I have to renew it again this month. At the present time I have heard nothing from DWP 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    pmackie · 1 years ago
    I had my PIP extended to 2027,my husband had his extended to 2032,no assessments done.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    CMAnnonymous · 1 years ago
    This might make me unpopular but I am a Case Manager making decisions on reviews for PIP. Before you lynch me let me just say that I am completely sick of the way people are being treated on this benefit. The last count of the queue mentioned above was over 150,000, that’s why no numbers are mentioned!
    As well making decisions, and I always do my best to support what the claimant is saying, I look at Further medical evidence and correspondence received tasks. In the past two days I have seen three letters pleading for a decision so a blue badge or scooter can be claimed. The official steer is, as it’s local authority managed or motability, is we won’t get involved. My wife has a blue badge and is renewing it at the moment, it’s very stringent due to abuses in the community. The easiest and best way is to get a PIP decision and my department just isn’t delivering.
    The whole system is a mess, there aren’t enough assessors, trained decision makers or processes in place to fix this. I asked my manager what we are going to do the other day, they asked their manager who asked further up, no one has a plan.
    I urge anyone in this situation to write to their MP and tell them how much it’s affecting them.
    I care a great deal about the rights of disabled people and strongly believe that everyone should get the help they need, right now PIP is failing you and it’s heart breaking.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Doglover2 · 1 years ago
      @CMAnnonymous Jeez that is so refreshing to hear that someone from the coal face actually cares. 
      It's hard enough trying to navigate life with disabilities it truly is, it's no life really. But it's made so much harder by the process we are expected to go through.
      What's the hard bit for me right now is the wait for reassessment (6mths) for pip review.
      Esp not knowing if it will be extended (runs out early oct) as I won at tribunal previously and unanimously twice I'm guessing not. 
      The whole thing instills fear and sends anxiety and panic attacks skyrocketing.ive emailed my mp but heard nothing back. 
      Oh well, we fight on.
      Take care. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Gilly · 1 years ago
      @CMAnnonymous Thanks so much for putting your head above the parapet (brave of you!) and explaining things from 'the other side': it does give some insight as to what is really going on with PIP and the DWP! 👍 

      And thanks for being human!  For what it's worth, my daughter saw two very kind and helpful case workers during her assessments for ESA some years back, prior to her finally getting diagnosed as autistic a couple of years ago, and subsequently granted PIP.  (The latter was awarded via a paper-based assessment, thankfully, so - even with assessors who are truly understanding, the whole process is so gruelling and worrying that we would opt for paper-based over F2F every time, if that were possible...)  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ci · 1 years ago
    I have had my PIP automatically renewed for another year or so about three times now. I have renewed my blue badge using the extension letter and had no problems in Lewisham, London. The only place I could not use my extension letter was to apply for a freedom Pass. I was told this letter was not valid, only the PIP award letter was, but obvioulsy that has the old expired date. I had two options either contact DWP or go through their own medical. I opted for the latter and after two weeks I got my Freedom Pass which is valid for five years, without having to do any medical at all, again with Lewisham in London.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Cat. · 1 years ago
    My husband has mental and physical health problems. His needs have substantially increased so I asked that his care needs be reviewed and also his mobility be reviewed in line with the Leap guidelines. This was 18 mths ago and no review has taken place just a continuance of his care award.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Duke · 1 years ago
      @Cat. I suffer PTSD, Personality Disorder, Anxiety and depression. I'm doing therapy for PD for several years. Last time (4yrs ago) they didn't even acknowledge that. So what they'll say or do on this assessment that I'm waiting for one only has to wait and see and wonder. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Joe · 1 years ago
    I had a PIP extension from the middle of last year to January 2023. Where Sandie has been turned down for her car on the extension letter BMW put mine through the Motobility system and I was granted a car on the extension. I have had enhanced mobility for some years. I filled in my PIP renewal form a couple of months ago but am still waiting to hear. I always have my assessment at home. I phoned and asked if that would carry on and was told 'yes'. My Blue Badge runs out at the end of July so watch this space!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Glenys owen · 1 years ago
    I've not heard anything from nobody about pip award
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sandie · 1 years ago
    My award was up in January 2022 it has been extended for the second time until July 22 but I cannot get a mobility car without the review. It was sent in last may and even though there is a mountain of evidence they keep saying I need an assessment. I wrote to Chloe Smith and my local MP Ian Burns. Ian helped me with my blue badge problem as they said the process for a blue badge application can take 12 weeks. The same amount of time as my extension so it was a viscous circle. I’m still waiting to hear from the DWP after have 2 people email me with regards to my issue. It’s ridiculous I’m a prisoner in my own home as I cannot drive my manual car with my mobility issues. I just want my assessment done. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Carnagemcflange · 1 years ago
    My PIP was due to run out at the beginning of April and the only reason I found out was when my daughter, who gets carer's allowance for me, was informed in a letter that payments might stop as my pip was due to stop also. 
    Have heard nothing myself since being told my pip was being extended without review due to the pandemic
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mollie · 1 years ago
    My renewal was extended until 29th july 2022,i sent my forms off last sept 2021,just on phone awaiting for them to answer, im 24 mins 34 seconds on hold so far, fingers crossed for me. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Nain · 1 years ago
    Yes it happened with me when I contacted DWP near the reward end I was told it is extended and when I asked about the letter I was told it was sent few months ago which I never received
    Then I requested for another letter as a proof for me which was sent thankfully

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Word-Soup · 1 years ago
    My review went in at the end of August 2021 and I’ve heard nothing, absolutely nothing. I truly wasn’t expecting this, and I am a little anxious that I will just get a telephone call out of the blue to go through it and I won’t be able to compose my thoughts 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Celia · 1 years ago
    My review went in last august and I’ve heard nothing since, my award ends in June and I’m worried but too scared to ring them!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mobbba · 1 years ago
    My end date was 31st may 2022 but was extended to January 2023 last year. I had a letter two weeks ago from DWP to say that they were extending my awards (high mobility and high care) to unending with a possible review in 10 years time.
    To say the least I am over the moon I never thought in a million years this would happen.  
    I went through hell with my transfer from Disability Living Allowance to PIP, it took two years to finally get my award after going to the higher court, who found that the assessor had lied and DWP had Ignored vital reports from adult social care and two consultants. 
    when I went to the tribunal I was in 5 minutes and was awarded high rate for both mobility and care. 
    so keep at it and I got  £15000 back pay. x
     
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Brian · 1 years ago
    My award has been extended by 10 years and i am over the moon, 👍
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Russell Hollands · 1 years ago
      @Brian Do I need to contact them or will they contact me. But we'll done for you in the increase i would be happy and super stress free 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mary · 1 years ago
    My PIP was originally awarded for 3 years by the tribunal I had to go to because the assessor, who appeared to know nothing about my illness, made a number of misleading statements and failed to include observations that spoke to how the illness and the assessment process affected me. I had to reapply at he end of the 3 years, having a telephone assessment due to Covid (this time the assessor actually seemed to have some knowledge of my illness) and it was awarded for another 3 years. I was expecting yet another battle!
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.