DWP explains extreme length of time thousands of benefit claimants are waiting for review

Thousands of benefit claimants are being forced to wait an extreme amount of time to have their cases reviewed, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) struggles with the ever-growing caseload of adults claiming the Personal Independence Payment, a minister has admitted. They explained some claimants are waiting three months to have their cases reviewed, while others are waiting more than a year.

The DWP provided the crucial update on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) waiting times for those awaiting an award review. Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, stated that claimants reporting a change in circumstances typically wait an average of 69 working days for their PIP to be reviewed, nearly 14 weeks.

He also said that when the DWP initiates a review - usually if someone is nearing the end of their award - that requires an assessment by a health provider, the average waiting time is 290 working days, around 58 weeks. If the benefit claimant does not require an assessment, it takes on average 252 working days for the review to be completed, approximately 50 weeks.

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However, Sir Stephen stressed that while some claimants may need to wait for over a year to have their PIP award reviewed, no one will experience a break in payments during their wait. The policy of continuing payments while someone waits for an award review was implemented last year when the number of people claiming PIP reached record-breaking levels, allowing the DWP to concentrate on delivering payments and support to new claimants without affecting those already receiving the benefit, reports the Daily Record.

Currently, over 3.6 million people are claiming PIP across Great Britain, a number which has expanded greatly since the covid pandemic with the number of people claiming the sickness and disability benefit ballooning by over a third.

The DWP Minister provided the figures in a written response on November 14 after Labour MP Mary Glindon enquired about PIP award review waiting times. Sir Stephen said: "We make every effort to conduct award reviews as soon as possible. Most decisions are made without the need for an assessment by a Healthcare Professional."

"Where the claimant requests a review of their Personal Independence Payment award, the median wait is 69 working days as of September 2024. When the review is initiated by the department, the median wait for a decision that is referred to an assessment provider is 290 working days as of September 2024, and 252 days where it is not referred to an assessment provider."

He further stated: "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."

For reporting any changes in circumstances, he advised contacting the PIP inquiry line on 0800 121 4433, with full details available on GOV. UK here.