Unnecessary PIP reassessments

People with lifelong conditions still facing repeated PIP reassessments

Hundreds of thousands of disabled people with lifelong or progressive conditions are still being put through regular Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reassessments, despite official guidance suggesting this should happen only rarely, according to new research from anti-poverty charity Z2K.

The charity’s report, The Cost of Unnecessary PIP Reassessments, argues that the current system is wasting public money while causing avoidable stress and hardship for disabled people whose conditions are unlikely to improve.

PIP is intended to help with the extra costs associated with disability or long-term ill health. Awards are often made for a fixed period before claimants are reassessed to determine whether their needs have changed.

However, Z2K says many people with permanent conditions are still receiving fixed-term awards that trigger repeated reviews every few years.

Conditions unlikely to improve

According to the report, 89% of people claiming PIP because of multiple sclerosis receive fixed-term awards, as do 86% of people with amputations, 73% of those with learning disabilities, 62% of those with cerebral palsy and 61% of people with Parkinson’s disease.

The charity argues that these figures are difficult to reconcile with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance, which states that people with lifelong or progressive conditions should generally not be reassessed more than once every ten years.

Samuel Thomas, senior policy adviser at Z2K, said the data suggested that the rules were “simply not being followed”. He argued that many disabled people were being forced to repeatedly “prove” disabilities that are permanent and unlikely to change.

Little change in outcomes

The report also questions whether the reassessments achieve enough to justify the cost.

Analysis by Z2K found that almost three-quarters of planned PIP reviews carried out last year resulted in no change to the claimant’s award. More than half a million reassessments therefore ended with support remaining exactly the same.

Where awards did change, increases were almost as common as reductions, suggesting that many reviews are identifying administrative issues rather than genuine improvements in health or independence.

The charity says the process can be particularly damaging for people with complex conditions, who may struggle with lengthy forms, repeated evidence requests and the anxiety of potentially losing essential support.

Backlogs and delays

Concerns about reassessments come at a time when the Government is attempting to reduce pressure on the benefits system.

The DWP recently introduced changes allowing many PIP awards to be extended for longer periods, and new fixed-term awards are generally expected to last at least three years. The Government says these changes will help reduce unnecessary reviews and tackle administrative backlogs.

However, Z2K argues that extending review periods does not address the underlying problem if people with lifelong conditions continue to be placed on fixed-term awards in the first place.

Review of the system

The findings come as ministers continue work on the Timms Review, which is examining the future of PIP assessments and eligibility rules.

The Government has previously acknowledged concerns that some people with lifelong and progressive conditions are still experiencing unnecessary reassessments, despite the availability of ongoing awards and “light-touch” reviews for claimants whose circumstances are unlikely to change.

Disability organisations argue that reducing unnecessary reassessments could improve claimants’ wellbeing, reduce appeals and free up resources to focus on people whose needs are more likely to change over time.

For many disabled people, the issue is not whether support should be reviewed at all, but whether they should have to repeatedly prove the impact of conditions that are permanent and already well understood.

Different in Scotland

Management of disability benefits is devolved, and Scottish residents have a more benign regime operated by Social Security Scotland. You can find out about Adult Disability Payment, the equivalent to PIP, here: www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/adult-disability-payment/
 

Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below

Further reading and resources

You can download the full report on the Z2K website (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)

WCA and PIP assessments update

“Light touch” reviews introduced in 2023

Make sure you don’t miss out on news from Independent Living

return to top