PIP reviews, 47 weeks for a decision

A client phoned PIP re the outcome of his review- he completed the form in August. He was told that reviews are taking 47 weeks for a decision to be made.

Yeh, over the hill in Kirklees we are often seeing reviews take about that time. We have also seen review forms sent out for a second time before an assessment, presumably because so much time has passed since the original one was filled in.

Yep. My record so far is 50 weeks from form-filling to decision. That one was ok as it resulted in an increase in mobility component, backdated in full. However, I have seen a couple where the delay in the decision has resulted in a substantial overpayment due to reduction of the award, again backdated to the review date. I was wondering could this be challenged on the grounds that DWP have “substantially contributed” to the OVP due to unreasonable delay in making a decision?

I can’t see that it would be recoverable as no failure to disclose or misrepresentation by your client - just delay in processing by DWP