DWP to Set Minimum Three-Year PIP Reviews for New Claims, With Five-Year Reviews at Next Assessment

The Department for Work and Pensions is moving to set PIP award reviews at a minimum of three years for new claims, rising to five years at the next review if the claimant remains entitled. The planned changes to PIP award review periods will not apply to claimants aged 24 or under. The DWP confirmed the PIP review period changes to The Independent last month.

In most cases the policy will reduce the frequency of reassessments, an element of the system often criticised for creating uncertainty. The changes mark a substantial policy shift by treating younger PIP claimants differently from others. Bill Thorpe, the DWP’s disability and health support director, said the policy avoids keeping young people on PIP longer than necessary.

A DWP spokesperson said claimants aged 16-24 are more likely to see an improvement in condition and functional capacity than the general PIP population. The spokesperson added that the purpose of excluding under 25s from these changes is to avoid keeping young people on PIP longer than necessary.

9 million people claim PIP, which is intended to assist with additional expenses associated with managing a disability or long-term illness.

Disability charities reacted negatively to the decision to exclude younger claimants. Harriet Edwards, director of influencing at the national disability charity Sense, said it is wrong and damaging for the DWP to link PIP with employment prospects. Sense research found almost half of disabled people with complex needs under 25 say their PIP helps them access employment.

Abdi Mohamed, head of policy at disability equality charity Scope, said young disabled people shouldn’t be penalised because of their age and excluded from plans to extend review periods. Mohamed added that life costs much more for disabled people, including those under 25. Edwards welcomed the wider reduction in assessments but said it should be rolled out for all PIP claimants.

Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms is currently reviewing the health benefit to ensure it is fair and fit for the future. Sir Stephen confirmed that Labour will hold off on any adjustment to PIP eligibility criteria until after the review concludes later this year. The payment was central to Labour’s plans to cut welfare costs last year.

Proposals to adjust assessment rules to tighten PIP eligibility faced intense backlash from campaigners and politicians. Ministers abandoned the proposals after more than 100 Labour MPs warned they would oppose the measures. Sir Stephen confirmed the climbdown and subsequent review during the debate on the legislation.

The Independent reported that the DWP was urged to review the decision by the independent Social Security Advisory Committee before confirming the age exemption. Thorpe’s comments came in response to that committee’s intervention. The policy shift follows months of debate over how the benefit should balance support with fiscal restraint.