The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims by deaf or hearing impaired people who may be affected by an Upper Tribunal decision relating to washing or bathing safely.
Following the tribunal ruling, from August 21, 2020, there has been a change in how the DWP considers whether someone can wash or bathe safely, as part of the PIP assessment.
If a deaf or hearing impaired claimant is not able to hear a standard fire alarm while washing or bathing, although the risk from a fire is low, the DWP will now consider whether a visual alarm - such as an aid or appliance - is needed, or supervision if a visual alarm would not be appropriate, in order to wash or bathe safely.
New guidance on GOV.UK confirms that the DWP will be reviewing claims made on or after August 21, 2020 including those where PIP was not awarded.
It is important to note that backdated payments will only affect existing claimants already receivng the Daily Living component part of a PIP award.
There are currently 30,801 people across the UK being supported through PIP for around 15 types of hearing disorders.
This includes:
- Scotland - 2,489 claimants
- England - 26,420 claimants
- Wales - 1,894 claimants
Which claims are being reviewed?
At the moment, it is unclear how many claims are being reviewed by the DWP.
The DWP said: “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.”
The DWP will not look again at your claim 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?
The DWP explained: “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 said that you should consider applying for PIP again if you think you may now be eligible.
The change to PIP law will apply to all new claims and has been applied to all PIP decisions since May 17, 2021.
How much could you receive in backdated payments?
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated PIP claimants could be due backdated payments of £12,865, however, DWP has clarified that only existing claims are being reviewed.
Existing PIP claimants who may benefit from a review can only move from a nil award to 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 (August 21, 2021 - April 5, 2022), for the Daily Living component only:
- 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
We originally reported a figure which had been determined by a claimant who had been turned down for PIP, reapplied and had their award for both components backdated, however, the DWP clarified that this exercise only applies to existing PIP claimants.
What are the PIP payment rates?
PIP is made up of two components - Daily Living and Mobility.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You could receive the following amounts each week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £60.00 (£61.85 from April 11)
Enhanced rate - £89.60 (£92.40 from April 11)
Mobility
Standard rate - £23.70 (£24.45 from April 11)
Enhanced rate - £62.55 (£64.50 from April 11)
However, the DWP has confirmed that for this review exercise, it will only affect Daily Living component awards of 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 - find out more here.
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