DWP PIP update on how long claimants are waiting for assessments

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update on the waiting times for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessments following a question in Parliament. Baroness Celia Thomas queried the Government about the average wait time for PIP assessments.

Claimants of PIP have to undergo an assessment to determine their level of required support and the amount they should receive. This benefit offers assistance to individuals with long-term illnesses or health conditions, with payments reaching up to £184.30 weekly, or £737.20 per four-week pay period.

In response to the query, Labour peer Baroness Christina Sherlock outlined the figures for PIP assessment waiting times. She stated: "As of July 2024, clearance times for normal rules new claims are 15 weeks 'end to end' (from registration to a decision being made) and 10 weeks from the assessment provider (AP) referral to the DWP decision on entitlement."

However, she also noted that people experienced much longer waiting times the previous year. She elaborated: "The clearance times in July 2023 were 15 weeks and 10 weeks respectively. The clearance times peaked in August 2021 at 26 weeks 'end to end' (from registration to a decision being made) and 21 weeks from the AP referral to the decision."

Explaining the reason for the six-month wait times, she said: "This was partly because claims that had been allowed a longer deadline for return of the PIP 2 form during the period late February to late May 2021 were reaching clearance, and partly because priority in some areas was given to claims that had been waiting longer for processing due to the COVID-19 disruption."

PIP payments consist of a daily living component and a mobility component, with each having a lower and higher payment. PIP assessments can be conducted over the phone, via video call or face-to-face.

The PIP payment rates at present are:

Daily living part

• Lower - £72.65
• Higher - £108.55.

Mobility part

• Lower - £28.70
• Higher - £75.75.

Following the assessment, you receive a letter detailing how much PIP you will receive and when your first payment is due.