PIP update: Thousands of claimants may receive £15,000 after DWP rule change | Personal Finance | Finance
The DWP is conducting an administration exercise searching for people who may be due a lump sum from as far back as 2016. The rule change reformed the definition of “social support” in the PIP assessments.
When someone applies for the disability payment, the DWP takes into account their ability to engage with other people face-to-face.
However, the change in law means that if someone needs “prompting”, by way of reminding, encouraging or explaining, from a person trained or experienced in assisting people in social situations, they will now consider whether this is classed as “social support”.
The changes to PIP law affects how it decides claims for:
• people who currently receive PIP
• people who applied for PIP in the past but do not currently get it
• people moving from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP
However, the DWP advised they will not look again at claims if:
• the enhanced rate of the daily living part of PIP has been awarded continuously since April 6, 2016
• a Tribunal has made a decision on your claim since April 6, 2016
• a decision not to award you PIP was made before April 6, 2016
READ MORE ‘I just want my money back’ Women frustrated at bank account frozen for 15 months
The DWP stated that they will write to those people who are eligible for the payment, and claimants do not need to contact them.
However, they did warn that it “may take some time for you to get this letter”.
In 2020, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) outlined changes it was making to the Personal Independence Payment process which determined the level of financial support awarded to claimants during certain time periods.
The review into potentially affected claimants was completed in 2021, however, the DWP is currently conducting another administration exercise to find claimants who may be affected by a change in PIP law to the definition of social support, which was introduced in April 2016.
DON’T MISS
The more severe it is, the more likely it is that they will receive the higher amount.
For someone who did not receive the daily living component, or had their PIP claim turned down, this means they could potentially be looking at backdated standard rate payments worth around £14,963.
The DWP has made a conscious effort to promote the various disability payments it has on offer to those in need.
Chloe Smith MP, the Government’s Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, outlined why disabled Britons should reach out to the DWP for support as soon as possible.
Ms Smith said: “Living with a long-term illness or disability can have a profound effect on daily life, both for those with a diagnosis and those who care for them, so it’s vitally important you are receiving all the help you are entitled to.
“Millions of people already receive this support and I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible for extra financial help to check online.”
