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.

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    Eva Townson · 1 years ago
    Yes , I've sent my Review on 02 /10/21 . 
    My award was running out on the 07/04 of this year. 
    I rang them and they said that my award has been extended until 10 th of July this year. I asked them to send me proof letter.
     
    That's not good , as my Blue Badge has expired and I can't have it renewed.
    This is a purposeful action, causing lots of problems, like Blue Budge , applying in time for new Motability car, Disabled Pass.

    It's a mess. 



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    Kat · 1 years ago
    My PIP is due for review in December this year. I have a motability car, which is due for renewal in October. I phoned PIP up, asking when I will be reassessed. They told me that, because of a backlog, my award is being extended till September 2023. This means that I can still apply to change my car, as long as I've got at least one full year of PIP. I asked them to send me a letter, stating the extended award, which they did. 
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    David · 1 years ago
    I received this sms on Friday:

    We still have your PIP form and will be progressing your review as soon as we can. You may still need an assessment with a health professional. Your PIP will continue to be paid until we review your claim. You only need to contact us if your circumstances change.
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      Jakki · 1 years ago
      @David I got the same last week.......
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      Gilly · 1 years ago
      @David Well that's about as useful as a chocolate fireguard, isn't it?  If I got a message like that I'd really be in a spin: it's the 'not knowing' and uncertainty that causes so much stress :(
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    Karen · 1 years ago
    My pip award has been extended twice and my blue badge was only allowed for one year my review went in june 2021 and i have become so stressed over it it been nearly a year without an assessment i have given enough medical evidence with my form so why am i still waiting when my carer phoned they said im down for an assessment but no idea wgen that might be
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Deb · 1 years ago
    Mine PIP was extended to April 2022
    I sent my review forms back in July 2021 via recorded delivery, it was signed for and heard nothing back!
    My PIP was due to finish 3 weeks ago heard nothing however they have paid this months PIP into my bank account even though the award has technically finished with no contact or review date.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anne Hunter · 1 years ago
    Yes for 10 years 
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    Linda walton · 1 years ago
    my pip award was due to end March 2022 they extended it about July 2021 until December 2022 but I then received a review form In January this year I have still had no word from them about rev but they have continued to pay my award 
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    Susie Robins · 1 years ago
    Hi I sent off my renewal last July for consideration - have constantly advised them my condition has considerably worsened.   All I heard from them was a text at the end of July to say paperwork had been received.   Phoned PIP on 16 September, 2 December, 15 February and then lastly 25 April to constantly be told it’s in a pile to be looked at!!!!    When I say how debilitating it is and a daily worry all I get told is if your benefits are increased it will be back dated.   That’s NOT the issue it’s the constant daily worry.   My daughter has now been told her carers allowance will stop in May and my housing benefits will alter too.  How do I get someone in the department to listen and help.   Each time I phone I’m constantly on for nearly an hour waiting to speak to someone and then often get someone very condescending with no empathy as to what life can be like.  Help help help.   
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      Gilly · 1 years ago
      @Susie Robins Have you contacted your MP about this?  It might help.  MPs really need to know just how bad things are, and having a constituent struggling in the way you are without any idea when your renewal will be looked at decided upon means it should hopefully bring home to him/her how dire things are for you.  Best of luck :)
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    orderlykat · 1 years ago
    Mine was extended told on phone last month, due a form to be sent in September 2022. So come September will be waiting to see if I get form or another extension. Starting to worry already in case nothing happens and PIP stops.
    I’m over retirement age and wonder if it’s a ploy to get me off PIP and onto Attendance Allowance.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jenny · 1 years ago
    My daughter's PIP was extended during 2nd lockdown for further 8 months, her review forms were returned in October 2021 and her extension ends 3 July 2022. Contacted DWP only to be told the review is still sat there and not been sent for review as yet. Advised she's likely going to get another extension until it can be sent for review. Just hope she continues to get her PIP during review, the irony is that they chased her to get the review forms back on time in October 2021 only to be sat there all this time.
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    Jos Wilson · 1 years ago
    Mine just seems to have been automatically extended but without any kind of confirmation of that. I would like to apply for the motability scheme but am wondering if that would cause me fresh problems with my claim. I don't think I can go through all that again and I'm sure that most will agree that no news is good news as far as the DWP are concerned. The sight of a brown envelope makes me feel both physically and mentally ill, due to past experiences.
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    Joseph Martin Mclaughlin Mart · 1 years ago
    Mine was supposed to be extended till Jan 23 but then i got a review filled forms in and sent recorded delivery to Wolverhampton, then i got a letter from Belfast stopping all pip saying i had not sent forms in on time which was wrong i had proof of posting, I was on phone for an hour first lady extremely rude and curt finally got pip review officer who said it was an error,not even an apology!! as i live in Edinburgh and Scotland takes over pip in august thank goodness, will wait and see they obviously hate communicating with the devolved nations and really don't know how to respond. It has left me stressed out completely and I almost had a heart attack !
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    Marie · 1 years ago
    I sent my renewal in August last year I have rang them 4 times still in the system I have added issues now with my eyes and have been diagnosed with MS .
    they said I will be paid until a decision is made.
    I just wish it would be sorted.
    I was also finished from my job after 33 years due to MS as well.Very depressed at the moment! 
    I sent every bit of paper work I had as evidence and  followed all the guides in the site.
    disgraceful  to keep people waiting 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ian · 1 years ago
    I had a letter in 2020 saying my award would be extended from October 21 and revued in May 22, however in  October I recieved a letter saying I had to reply in so many days but as it was late it only gave me about 7 days to complete.
    I completed the review and have heard no more, they do keep paying me but I am at a loss as to how long or what this means for my pip
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    paula · 1 years ago
    We got a letter regarding our grandson. They extended for a year and after 3 months sent us the paperwork but we have heard nothing in a while. Trying to prepare a young autistic man for an assessment which could come at any time and COULD involve a face to face interview is a nightmare. 
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    Amanda · 1 years ago
    I sent my review in last December 2021 and I have heard nothing my award expires in August 2022 should I call them, we’ll try and call them? 
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    Katrina Guntrip · 1 years ago
    I had my review extended a year from 2021, now I’ve received a letter saying my PiP is ongoing with no end date. I think that maybe because of my age, I turned 70 in February. 
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    Helena Dennison · 1 years ago
    My original DLA was awarded way back in 2005 for a 'long term, gradually worsening condition'. This was an 'indefinite' award, however when PIP came in I was made to go through the evaluation process, which I did, including an appeal which succeeded. I was given PIP for 2 years, but as lockdown started this was extended to February this year. In February I received a letter to say that I have been given 'indefinite' PIP with a potential review in 10 years time (by which time I'll either be 82 or have died!!!) I can't imagine how much money this process has cost the government. It's not as if the award is a life-changing amount at about £300 a month, but it helps (even though it doesn't cover the cost of a cleaner for a month!). I think the whole system needs revisiting. If we are to really help people who are ill long term and/or disabled, there should be a way of doing this via the GPs or hospital consultants rather than employing an outside agency who are on a bonus system and therefore biased.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anna · 1 years ago
    My PIP was extended from September 2021 to June 2022 due to Covid.   I sent in my renewal/assessment forms in August 2021.   I have not heard back.  I have phoned multiple times to see where I am in the system only be told by the operator (after a long wait) that they don't hold that information & cannot tell me.  Also told not to worry, my payments will continue until the assessment decision is made.   They could not help me as far as my blue badge was concerned.

    I applied for a new blue badge without DWP input and fortunately was awarded one for 3 years.

    DWP told me I was fortunate not to have a car through mobility because those claimants who had a delay in their review will have had their car taken away.   I don't know if this is true but if it is it is shambolic.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    K stewart · 1 years ago
    Mine was extended for a year due to covid. My claim was due for assessment in March 2021. They wrote and extended it to March 2022. Then in May 2021 they sent me the "has anything changed" form which I returned in June 2021. The DWP sent a text acknowledging my form on 1/9/21. I chases this up and found getting thru a nightmare. I spoke to the DWP at the start of March 2022 just before my claim ran out. I was told my claim has been extended until 12/6/22. The DWP didn't write to me. My bluebadge has ran out and my local authority don't do extensions for 3 months for my blue badge. I havent been getting out and been changing my hospital appts to calls or video calls - not an ideal situation. This is the worst the DWP has been in my experience. I have been reading other claimants have had a decision in 6-8 weeks. I dont know why my decision is taking so long when the only changes I have are my illnesses are causing my health to deteriorate. 
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