PIP PIP - Personal Independence Payment Reviews and Award Changes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a PIP 'light-touch' review?
- To reassess all components from scratch
- To confirm no significant change has occurred in the claimant's condition (Correct answer)
- To reduce the administrative workload on the DWP
- To prepare the claimant for a face-to-face assessment
Correct answer: To confirm no significant change has occurred in the claimant's condition
A light-touch review is a simplified process used to confirm that the claimant's circumstances have not significantly changed since the last award decision.
Question 2: What may happen if a PIP claimant does not return their review form by the deadline?
- They receive a financial penalty
- Their claim is automatically renewed
- Their PIP payments may be stopped (Correct answer)
- They are immediately referred to a tribunal
Correct answer: Their PIP payments may be stopped
Failure to return the PIP review form on time can result in payments being suspended until the DWP receives and processes the form.
Question 3: If a claimant's PIP is reduced following a review, what is the mandatory first step to challenge the decision?
- Appeal directly to an independent tribunal
- Request a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP (Correct answer)
- Contact their local MP
- Reapply for PIP from scratch
Correct answer: Request a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP
Before appealing to a tribunal, claimants must first request a mandatory reconsideration, asking the DWP to look at the decision again.
Question 4: Which private companies conduct PIP assessments and reviews on behalf of the DWP?
- NHS and BUPA
- Capita and Atos (Correct answer)
- Serco and G4S
- MIND and Scope
Correct answer: Capita and Atos
PIP assessments and reviews are conducted by Capita and Atos (also known as Independent Assessment Services), which are contracted by the DWP.
Question 5: What is a 'short-term' PIP award?
- A 3-month emergency payment pending full assessment
- An award for a condition expected to change, typically lasting 1 to 2 years (Correct answer)
- An award for claimants under the age of 25
- A transitional award during DLA-to-PIP migration
Correct answer: An award for a condition expected to change, typically lasting 1 to 2 years
A short-term PIP award is given when a claimant's condition is expected to improve or change, and is set for a defined period, usually 1 to 2 years.
Question 6: What best describes an 'ongoing' PIP award?
- An award that is permanent and never reviewed
- A monthly payment with no conditions attached
- An award with no fixed end date that is still subject to periodic review (Correct answer)
- An award exclusively for claimants over age 65
Correct answer: An award with no fixed end date that is still subject to periodic review
An ongoing PIP award has no fixed end date but remains subject to periodic review to confirm the claimant continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
PIP PIP - Personal Independence Payment Reviews and Award Changes 2
What is the primary purpose of a PIP 'light-touch' review?