People claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be asked to undergo a reassessment to verify they remain entitled to support, but many are uncertain what actually prompts a review. In most instances, PIP awards are not indefinite and include a designated review period.
This can vary from as little as nine months to as long as 10 years for a ‘light touch’ review, depending on how likely someone’s condition is to change. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) specifies the review date on the award letter all successful PIP claimants receive.
However, DWP can also conduct an unscheduled reassessment if particular changes are reported or identified.
What can trigger a PIP reassessment?
One of the most frequent triggers is a change in your health condition, reports the Daily Record.
If your condition improves, deteriorates, or you receive a new diagnosis, you are expected to notify the DWP as soon as possible as it could result in your award being reviewed.
Changes to your daily living or mobility needs can also trigger a reassessment, particularly if they affect how much support you require.
Other triggers can include:
- Moving into or out of hospital or a care home
- Spending extended time abroad
- Information received during routine checks or from other government departments
In some instances, reassessments may also be triggered as part of broader reviews of claims.
How often PIP reviews take place
Most claimants will have a scheduled review at the end of their award period.
- Shorter awards – often given where a condition is expected to change – may be reviewed within one to two years.
- Longer awards – these can last five years or more, while some people receive ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review after around 10 years.
A ‘light touch’ review is typically granted to claimants who have:
- very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
- high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
- a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
- a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
A ‘light touch’ review is typically awarded to claimants who have: Even with longer awards, claimants should not assume their payments will continue unchanged, as reviews are still conducted to confirm they are receiving the right level of support.
What happens during a reassessment
When a review is due, claimants are typically sent a form enquiring whether their condition or circumstances have changed. They may also be required to attend a further assessment, although decisions can on occasion be reached using existing medical evidence.
Following the reassessment, payments can remain the same, rise, fall or cease entirely depending on the outcome.
Failing to declare a relevant change could impact your payments and may result in overpayments that will need to be reimbursed.
How to report a change of circumstances to DWP
Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change of circumstances – lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Here is a comprehensive guide to all the changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them. Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found in the dedicated PIP pages on GOV.UK.