A review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims made by those who are deaf or hearing impaired is currently being conducted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It follows a ruling by the Upper Tribunal that has led to changes regarding how the DWP considers whether claimants can wash or bathe safely as part of their PIP assessment.
If a deaf or hearing impaired individual is unable to hear a standard fire alarm whilst washing or bathing, the DWP will now investigate whether a visual alarm or supervision is required.
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New guidelines laid out by the UK Government confirm that the DWP is in the process of reviewing claims made anytime after August 21, 2020 — even claims that were unsuccessful.
As reported by the Daily Record, any potential backdated payments will only affect existing claimants who already receive the Daily Living component of PIP.
Almost 31,000 claimants throughout the UK receive PIP on the basis of a hearing disorder, including 2,489 in Scotland.
Which claims are being reviewed?
It has not been confirmed exactly how many PIP claims the DWP is reviewing.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the DWP stated: “We are now looking at PIP claims from deaf or hearing impaired people who may be affected by this change. This includes reviewing some claims we decided on or after 21 August 2020, including ones where we did not award PIP.
“We are not planning to ask you to provide any further evidence or invite you for an assessment as part of this review. We will be looking at information we already have about your hearing impairment from your PIP claim.”
Your claim will not be reviewed by the DWP if:
- You were awarded the enhanced rate of the daily living part of PIP continuously since August 21, 2020
- A Tribunal has made a decision on your claim since August 21, 2020
- It decided not to award you PIP before August 21, 2020
What happens next?
As explained by the DWP: “If we review your claim, we will write to you and you do not need to contact us. It may take some time for you to get this letter.
“If we decide that you should get more PIP, then your award will usually be backdated to 21 August 2020. If you claimed PIP after 21 August 2020, it will usually be backdated to the date you started getting PIP.”
The DWP also advised those who think they may now be eligible for PIP to apply for the benefit again.
The changes will apply to all new PIP claims, and all PIP decisions that have been made since May 17, 2021.
How much could you receive in backdated payments?
Existing PIP claimants who may benefit from a review can only move from a nil award to a standard award or standard award to an enhanced ward as part of this exercise.
Using the Benefits and Work PIP Payment Calculator and applying the date range of August 21, 2021 to April 5, 2022 — when the review was announced — the amounts could be worth:
- From no Daily Living award to standard award rate - backdated payments of up to £5,064
- From standard Daily Living award to enhanced award rate - backdated payments of up to £2,498
PIP payment rates for 2022/23
PIP consists of two components, a Daily Living component and a Mobility component.
Whether a claimant received one or both of these will depend on how severe their condition is and how much they are affected by it.
You could receive the following amounts each week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £61.85
Enhanced rate - £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate - £24.45
Enhanced rate - £64.50
Just bear in mind, for this review, the DWP will only be looking at the Daily Living component awards for existing PIP claimants.
If your PIP claim was turned down
You should consider making a new claim for PIP.
To make a new claim for PIP, find out more on the GOV.UK website here.
If you live in Dundee City, Perthshire and Kinross or the Western Isles, PIP is being replaced by the new devolved Scottish benefit, Adult Disability Payment, which you can apply for online, in person or over the phone.
