12 December 2023 , 10:17
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update for Brits renewing their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims.
In an update, DWP boss Tom Pursglove shared that claims for PIP are being processed - from the point of application to the award letter being sent out - within 15 weeks in July 2023. This is down from 23 weeks in August 2021.
The update was shared in a written response to a question from Labour and Co-operative Party MP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle who asked what steps the DWP is taking to reduce waiting times for PIP assessments. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work said that his priority was "reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants".
He said: "We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. Reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the department and we are working constantly to make improvements to our service. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence, including that from the claimant."
PIP is a benefit which is given to people with long-term mental or physical health conditions or disabilities. Around three million people in the UK claim PIP. The benefit can pay up to £172.75 a week - or £691 a month - and aims to help with the extra costs of having a disability.
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The DWP boss highlighted several measures the benefits department has put in place to improve the PIP service. These included using a blend of phone, video and face-to-face assessment to deliver a "more efficient and user-centred service".
The DWP are also "prioritising" new claims and is working to ensure that claimants awaiting award reviews do not fall out of payment through "no fault of their own". He added: "In addition, the Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising health and disability benefit services to create a more efficient service, to reduce processing times and improve trust in our services and decisions.”
According to the latest DWP data published in June 2023, 68,460 PIP assessments were conducted remotely by video call or over the phone, 18,600 were paper-based and over 7,000 were conducted in person.