Over the past five years, more than 400,000 benefit claimants have successfully been awarded Personal Independence Payments (PIP) after undergoing a mandatory reconsideration. This process allows individuals who have had their initial PIP claim denied to challenge the decision with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), leading to a second review of their claim.
The free service is applicable to a variety of benefits including PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Income Support, among others. Official data reveals that 34 per cent of the 1.3 million mandatory reconsiderations lodged for PIP resulted in a positive outcome over the last five years.
PIP is designed to help those with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition cover additional daily living or mobility costs. Successful PIP claims can range from £28.70 to £184.30 per week, paid every four weeks, equating to between £114.80 and £737.
A claimant could receive the maximum rate of both, amounting to £737.20 each pay period, or the standard rate of both, totalling £405.40.
Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms has disclosed that over the past five years, 32,000 people received zero points initially for their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) but later got upgraded to the enhanced rate following mandatory reconsideration. Nevertheless, there’s growing concern about the increasing delays in the mandatory reconsideration process.
Official data shows the wait time soared from 37 days in December 2023 to an average of 71 days in July 2024, although Mr Timms acknowledged a slight decrease to an average of 69 working days as of September 2024. Responding to the issue, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson assured The Sun: “We support millions of people every year and our priority is they receive a supportive service and get the benefits they are entitled to as soon as possible. We are learning from appeals and working closely with our assessment providers to improve our processes and decision making.”
Who is eligible for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP, you must have a health conditions or disability that means you:
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply. In addition to what we have outlined above, if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP :
- making decisions about money
- engaging and communicating with other people
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- reading and understanding written information
- dressing and undressing
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- moving around
- planning a journey or following a route
How to make a new claim for PIP
You can initiate a new claim by contacting the DWP. All the information you need to apply can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, ensure you have:
- your date of birth
- your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
- your bank or building society account number and sort code
- your contact details
- your National Insurance number – this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
