Experiences of lapsed appeals for PIP and UC?

South West London Law Centre with Simmons & Simmons is currently investigating lapsed appeals for PIP and UC where the DWP change their minds before the hearing and the appeal no longer goes ahead.

As you may be aware, Public Law Project made a judicial review challenge on the lapsed appeal process last year, followed by the DWP setting out new guidelines.

At South West London Law Centre we have noticed a disproportionate amount of lapsed appeals. We have never been contacted as the representative before the client, the ‘revised offer’ is not to the most favourable rate and if contacted by telephone the claimant’s appeal rights are not being clearly stated.  All of these are issues which the DWP set out that would not continue post-JR.

South West London Law Centre is investigating whether this is just an anomaly or whether the DWP is systematically not following the guidance they set out for themselves after the judicial review challenge.

What is your experience from your casework? Are you coming across lapsed appeals in the same circumstances?  Please contact Elizabeth Whittaker in the Access to Justice team at Simmons & Simmons at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)