The government has announced that there will be no reviews or reassessments of benefits for three months from today, Tuesday 24 March. Awards of PIP which are due to end will be extended.
In a statement yesterday, the DWP announced that:
“We are automatically extending all awards and reassessments for health and disability benefits to provide that reassurance to those in receipt of them. “
The announcement covers all benefits, including:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).
Where an assessment has already taken place for PIP, the decision making process will continue.
If an assessment has been scheduled, the assessment provider should contact you to explain whether a paper or telephone assessment will take place.
Where awards of benefits are due to expire, the DWP will be extending end-dates so that your award continues at its current rate.
The DWP have said that “if people experience a change in their needs they are still encouraged to contact the Department to ensure they are receiving the correct level of support.”
From Thursday 19 March, existing claimants do not have to attend jobcentre appointments for three months.
