DWP law change could give people on PIP 'increased payments'

People may get mobility awards for seniors under a rule change relating to the PIP benefit, which is claimed by 3.4 million people.

A Department for Work and Pensions law adjustment may result in increased Personal Independence Payment (PIP) payments. People may get mobility awards for seniors under a rule change relating to the PIP benefit, which is claimed by 3.4 million people.

A change in the law means some people over State Pension age may be entitled to an increased award for the mobility part of PIP even if they have stopped getting the benefit - and be due backdated payments. The legal change pertains solely to claimants over the State Pension age and their entitlement to the enhanced mobility award. The latest DWP guidance highlights it's only applicable to PIP claims that were reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020.

These alterations in law came about following a tribunal ruling on May 22, 2020 which identified an accidental gap in regulation 27 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013. The guidance details: "DWP did not have the legal powers to restrict the mobility award for claimants who were in receipt of the standard rate of the mobility award and over State Pension age, on the grounds of new medical evidence.

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"New medical evidence is a report from a health professional requested by DWP which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award." It adds: "DWP were only able to restrict the mobility award for claimants if a relevant change in circumstances was identified after they reached State Pension age."

You may be entitled to an increased award for the mobility component of your PIP, even if you are no longer receiving PIP, if you had your PIP claim reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020, you were over State Pension age or you received the standard rate of the mobility award.

You may be entitled to an increased award for the mobility component of your PIP, even if you are no longer receiving PIP, if you did not report a change in your circumstances that affected your mobility needs, you had a health professional assessment which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award, you continued to receive the standard rate of the mobility award or your decision letter told you we could not increase your mobility award because you were over State Pension age.