The Department for Work and Pensions () is sending letters to people who were given 10-year awards for Personal Independence Payment ().
The benefits department recently announced that, in "most cases," PIP claimants approaching the end of their 10-year awards will not need to attend a face-to-face assessment to renew their claim. This development came after the introduction of a new, more concise review form for the , which is now being sent to claimants with a 'light-touch' award - these claims usually last between five and 10 years.
The DWP has released a sample "PIP AR2" form on the GOV. UK to help claimants understand the new review process. The six-page sample document provides claimants with the questions they'll be expected to answer, so they can prepare before the review letter reaches them.
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Ongoing awards are generally given to those requiring the highest level of support or whose conditions are unlikely to improve or will only worsen - this has included most individuals who have reached State Pension age since 2019.
The six-page review form covers:
- Identity and contact details
- Immigration status
- Your main healthcare professional
- Details of any changes to your health condition or disability
- Details of any changes to your daily living needs
- Details of any changes to your mobility needs
- Your consent to allow the DWP to collect further information
Here are the following 16 questions on the PIP AR2 form:
About you
- Q1 - Your name
- Q2 - Your date of birth
- Q3 - Your address
- Q4 - Is this a hospital, hospice or other residential or nursing care accommodation?
- Q5 - Your correspondence address
- Q6 - A phone number DWP can contact you on
- Q7 - Have there been any changes to your immigration status? - additional space is provided to write an answer
- Q8 - Tell DWP anything they need to know about how they communicate with you - additional space is provided to write an answer
About the main healthcare professional that supports you
The form explains that this may be your GP, hospital consultant or a specialist nurse and asks you to provide their details.
- Q9 - What is their name?
- Q10 - What is their job?
- Q11 - What is their phone number?
- Q12 - What is the address where they work?
About your health condition or disability
Questions 13, 14 and 15 are given the most space on the form to write additional information. It also reminds people: “PIP is assessed on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.”
- Q13 - Have there been any changes in your health condition or disability since DWP last awarded you PIP?
- Q14 - Have your daily living needs changed since DWP last made a decision on your PIP? The form states: “By daily living we mean preparing food and cooking, eating and drinking, managing treatments and taking medication, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing, communicating, reading, mixing with other people and managing money.”
- Q15 - Have your mobility needs changed since DWP last made a decision on your PIP? The form states: “By mobility we mean getting around and planning and following a journey.”
Consent for DWP to collect further information
- Q16 - Do you give consent for your doctor or other relevant professionals to give DWP more information about your health condition or disability?
The final question also provides guidance on giving DWP consent to obtain further information on how your health condition affects you.
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