Government confirms continued pause of review exercises being carried out to determine whether PIP claimants should be entitled to more benefit

In support of the government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the pause will now last until the end of September 2020, says DWP

The government has confirmed that its pause of review exercises that were being carried out to determine whether certain PIP claimants should be entitled to more benefit is to be extended to the end of September 2020.

The review exercises had been launched in 2018 and 2019 to identify claimants who might benefit from changes in the law relating to -

• Managing medication and monitoring a health condition: changes to PIP law from 28 November 2016 to 15 March 2017 and Special diet as therapy: changes to PIP law from 28 November 2016 following the Upper Tribunal's decision in SSWP v LB [2016] UKUT 530 (AAC);
• Safety and supervision: changes to PIP law from 9 March 2017 following the Upper Tribunal's decision in RJ, GMcL and CS v SSWP [2017] UKUT 104 (AAC); and
• Overwhelming psychological distress and journeys: changes to PIP law from 28 November 2016 following the Upper Tribunal's decisions in MH v SSWP  [2016] UKUT 531 (AAC) and in RJ, GMcL and CS v SSWP.

However, with the reviews having been paused earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, initially until the end of June 2020, the government has today updated its guidance to advise -

'In support of the government’s response to COVID-19 ... DWP is focused on ensuring our customers get the financial assistance they need and safeguarding vulnerable people who rely on our services.

As a result, we will not be looking at claims to check if this change means you may be eligible for more PIP. This pause will now last until the end of September, but we will keep this under review during the coronavirus outbreak, as demands on our services change.'

For more information, see A summary of changes to PIP which affects how the DWP decides PIP claims available from gov.uk