The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared new steps being implemented to improve deciding what Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claims are successful. Following the annual benefits uprating, PIP is now worth between £26.90 and £101.75 each week to successful claimants.
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, asked DWP bosses recently what steps were being taken to “reduce the incidence of individuals being refused a PIP award at initial claim and Mandatory Reconsideration before receiving an award due to lapsed appeal”. It comes as recent figures show more than 5,000 claimants successfully challenged the DWP over its decision not to award them PIP.
During the 2022/23 financial year, around 5,300 people appealed their initial denied PIP application and won. Of that total, some 1,500 claimants have also been awarded at least one enhanced payment rate of either the daily living or mobility component of the disability benefit through the Mandatory Reconsideration process, reports the Daily Record.
