The disability benefits website Benefits and Work has begun to hear from readers who have received letters telling them that their PIP award has been extended for up to four years under a new review process.
The Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has enacted a new regulation, which came into force this month, which allows them to extend the length of any fixed term PIP award for claimants aged 25 or over.
It can be used when the DWP is facing a huge backlog of reassessments, as it is now and the news will come as a massive relief to most people who hear from the DWP.
But for others it will present a dilemma, because their condition has deteriorated to the point where they may be entitled to a higher rate and they were waiting for their planned award review to give the DWP details.
Many claimant choose to do this rather than take even the smallest risk with an existing award.
Now, that option may not be available for years – only a change of circumstances review request or an appeal will bring the possibility of a changed award.