Government announces that ‘review and renewal activity’ is to resume for PIP and DLA

However, DWP confirms that the suspension of face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits is to continue following consideration of the latest public health guidance

The government has announced that 'review and renewal activity' is to resume for personal independence payment (PIP) and disability living allowance (DLA).

Reviews and reassessments for disability benefits were suspended for three months in the early phase of the COVID-19 lockdown, and DWP Minister Justin Tomlinson said recently that -

'Reviews and reassessments remain suspended while we review what activity we can gradually start reintroducing in line with the latest public health advice.'

However, the DWP announced today that from July 2020 -

'As measures are taken across the country to ease restrictions, the department will gradually resume some review and reassessment activity which had been put on hold because of the Coronavirus outbreak. We will shortly be restarting review and renewal activity in PIP and DLA, starting with those claims which were already underway when this activity was suspended.'

The DWP adds that -

• it will shortly be writing to some PIP and DLA claimants asking them to complete paperwork to resume their reviews, reassessments and renewals; and
• for PIP cases where paperwork has already been returned, claimants may be contacted by one of the DWP's Assessment Providers.

NB - the DWP has however said that the suspension of face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits is to continue -

'This temporary suspension, initially brought in for three months to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic, will remain in place following a consideration of the latest public health guidance. We will announce any changes to this in due course.'

For more information see Face-to-face assessment suspension continues for health and disability benefits from gov.uk