DWP warns 400,000 PIP claimants face suffering 'break' in payments

The Department for Work and Pensions claimants have been warned as 400,000 people face a pause and break in Personal Independence Payments. PIP claimants have been warned over the DWP pausing payments and benefits.

A record 3.5 million claimants are receiving PIP from the DWP. In response to the growth in the benefit, which more and more are claiming, the DWP has shifted its focus to fast-track new claims to provide urgent financial support.

The DWP has also rolled out measures to prevent around 440,000 existing beneficiaries from losing out on funds as their current awards expire. Claimants with impending PIP award expirations can will be automatically prolonged for up to a year while awaiting the review process, officials say.

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But the DWP has also moved to warn that delays in renewal submissions could lead to a "break in payment" for those nearing the end of their fixed-term awards and without a scheduled review date. DWP Minister Mims Davies MP recently illustrated that should someone's current PIP award conclude and payments cease, the PIP can be backdated to the original claim date.

Ms Davies also reassured that individuals will receive a reminder six months before the termination of their award, and they must submit a new claim if they wish to continue receiving PIP. Ms Davies was responding to DUP MP Jim Shannon.

Ms Davies said: "We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, considering the need to review all available evidence, including that from the claimant.

"PIP can be awarded with a fixed-term duration to the award without a review date." And she went on to say: "In these circumstances the department issues a reminder to the claimant six months prior to the existing award coming to an end so that if the claimant wants to continue with PIP they need to submit a new claim.

"These renewal claims are treated as new claims and where the current average end-to-end clearance period is 15 weeks from the point the claim is submitted. Where a claimant delays making their renewal claim, but submits it shortly before their existing award ends, they could experience a break in payment, but the award can be backdated to the date of claim ensuring that claimants don't lose out in these circumstances."