DWP announced earlier this month that it will automatically extend PIP awards that are awaiting review from the current three months by up to 12 months, the Daily Record reports
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued further guidance for those receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) who are awaiting a review.
PIP is given to help with living costs to people with long-term physical and mental health conditions or disabilities who have difficulty getting around or doing everyday tasks. The support is split into two parts, one that assesses daily living and one that looks at the claimant’s mobility.
DWP announced earlier this month that it will automatically extend PIP awards that are awaiting review from the current three months by up to 12 months, the Daily Record reports.
The department said that this extension is to provide greater certainty for claimants and to help them with continued access to other support, such as the Blue Badge scheme.
DWP will automatically be sending out letters from October 31 confirming the length of the extended award for individuals. Before the end of October, claimants will continue to receive a text message 35 days before their award end date to notify them of the extension.
However, the department explained that PIP claims could still be reviewed before their new end date.
A spokesperson said: In line with our usual process, we may review claims before their new end date and if so, will write to claimants to inform them.
The spokesperson said: PIP payments will be received as normal until we complete the review of a claim. If we have not completed the review by the extended award date, we may extend the end date of the PIP award again and will write to claimants to tell them about this.