If you or someone you know claims Personal Independence Payment, also called PIP, you might know how confusing some of the rules can be. PIP is a benefit given to people who have a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. It helps with the extra living costs caused by these conditions. But recently, some people have been worried after hearing stories about claimants losing PIP even when their condition has become worse.
One such story became popular online, where a person said they lost their PIP after their health got worse and not better. This made many people wonder how the system actually works. The Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP, later explained how the PIP decision-making process works. In this blog post, let’s understand what DWP said, how reviews are done, and what you should know if your PIP claim is reviewed.
What is PIP and Who Can Get It
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a financial support provided by the government. It is mainly for people aged between 16 to State Pension age who need help living with a long-term physical or mental health condition. PIP is not based on income or savings but on how your condition affects your daily life and mobility.
Pip Has Two Parts:
– Daily Living: This is for people who need support with everyday tasks like eating, dressing, and taking medicine.
– Mobility: This part helps people who find it hard to move around or go places without help.
Each part has two levels: standard and enhanced. The amount you get depends on how difficult your daily life is. A health professional looks at your case and decides how many points you should get for each activity based on your ability.
Why Did the PIP Claimant Lose the Award
A recent case shared by the Disability News Service showed that a person lost their PIP award even though their health condition got worse. Naturally, people were confused — if the health problem is getting worse, then how can the support be taken away? That doesn’t seem to make sense. But DWP gave a statement explaining the situation.
According to the DWP, when they do a review of your claim, they are not only looking at how much your health has changed. They use all the information you provide to reassess your current situation. So even if you feel your condition has worsened, they still check whether you meet the points needed to continue receiving PIP. Sometimes even with worsening conditions, if the evidence does not show that you meet the required number of points across the two parts of PIP, your claim could be reduced or even stopped.
How Does DWP Review PIP Claims
DWP explained that PIP reviews are based on a points system. Each activity in your daily life and mobility is scored. Your condition might have changed, but unless the new evidence clearly shows that you now struggle more with tasks in a way that meets the scoring system, your award might stay the same or even go down.
When it’s time for your PIP review, you usually get a form to fill in. You need to explain how your condition affects your daily life now, not how it used to affect you in the past. You should also include any medical documents, hospital letters, or anything that can support your claim. Based on this form and sometimes a health assessment, a decision is made.
Difference Between Symptoms and How You’re Affected
One key point that DWP mentioned is the difference between your medical condition and how it affects your day-to-day life. The PIP system does not pay based on the diagnosis alone. Having a certain illness does not automatically mean you’ll get PIP. It depends on how much your illness stops you from doing things like getting dressed, making meals, or walking far.
This is why a person can still get less PIP even if their condition is medically worse. If the notes and forms do not clearly show that their ability to manage daily tasks is affected more than before, then the award might not increase or could even stop.
What You Can Do if You Disagree with the Decision
If you think the decision on your PIP claim is wrong, you don’t have to accept it quietly. You have the right to challenge it. First, you can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration — this means DWP will look at your case again. You need to explain clearly why you think the decision is wrong and give any extra documents if possible.
If that doesn’t help, you can then take your case to an independent tribunal. Many people have won their appeals, especially when they clearly explain how their life is affected by their condition and share full supporting evidence.
How to Make Sure Your PIP Claim Is Strong
To give your claim the best chance, try following these useful tips:
– Fill out the form completely and honestly. Take your time to think about each question.
– Give real examples. Instead of just saying “I have trouble walking,” you could say, “I can walk only 20 meters before needing to rest because of pain.”
– Share medical records or doctor’s letters that show how your condition affects you daily.
– If you have someone who helps you, ask them to write a statement supporting what you’ve said.
Final Thoughts
Many people rely on PIP to get the help they need in their daily lives. But the review system can sometimes be confusing and even feel unfair. That is why it’s so important to understand that medical condition alone does not decide the PIP award. It’s about how much that condition affects your ability to live independently.
If your health gets worse, make sure you explain clearly how that has changed your daily routine. And if you lose your award, remember — you have options, and there are ways to appeal. Understanding the rules can make a big difference in getting the support you need.
