Figures released by the DWP this week show that the success rate for disability living allowance (DLA) to personal independence payment (PIP) mandatory reconsiderations has halved over the last year. The success rate for mandatory reconsiderations for new PIP claims has increased slightly over the same period.{jcomments on}
Mandatory reconsideration request numbers
By April 2016 there had been 313,800 mandatory reconsiderations registered:
- 222,600 for new claims
- 91,100 for DLA to PIP transfers
The number of mandatory reconsideration requests for DLA to PIP decisions has increased very rapidly, from 3,100 in April 2015 to 10,500 in April 2016.
Over the same period, mandatory reconsideration requests for new claims have risen only slightly, from 10,700 to 11,000.
Success rates
Overall, since PIP was introduced, 15% of mandatory reconsiderations for new claims led to a change of award.
The change can be an increase or a decrease in the award, although in the vast majority of cases it is likely to have been an increase.
Since DLA to PIP transfers began, 24% of mandatory reconsiderations have led to a change of award.
However, whilst the success rate for fresh PIP claims has increased slightly over the last year, the success rate for mandatory reconsiderations for DLA to PIP transfers has fallen hugely.
- In April 2015 1,900 DLA to PIP decisions were unchanged and 1,400 were changed, a success rate of 42%.
- In April 2016, however, 6,600 DLA to PIP decision were unchanged and 1,600 were changed, a success rate of 19.5%.
By contrast:
- In April 2015 2015 8,000 new claim PIP decisions were unchanged and 1,600 were changed, a success rate of 16.6%.
- In April 2016, however, 6,700 DLA to PIP decision were unchanged and 1,400 were changed, a success rate of 17.2%.
The DWP have offered no explanation for the fall in success rates for DLA to PIP mandatory reconsiderations.
