DWP confirms it is increasing the automatic extension period of existing PIP awards awaiting review

Whirlygirl1

Ah, waiting to see what happens then!  Thanks.

calcotti

Returning to the subject of this thread (which has gone off in a different direction)

DWP have apparently said that automatic extension of PIP awards has been delayed until early to mid December.

pkeith95

Hey all, sorry If I have totally missed the answer to my question here, I do rather get lost in a sea of comments sometimes, so apologies if I am asking something that has already been answered, I wonder if someone would be kind enough to help me:

My PIP award is due to run out Jan 2023, I've had my reassessment forms and returned them.  This new extension announcement, what exactly does it mean?  And does anyone know roughly how far behind they are?  I'm told my award will continue to be paid until assessment has been completed.

Thank you, and apologies again If I am asking for information to be repeated.  Sometimes I just need a direct, plain speaking reply

poppy123456

pkeith95 said:

Hey all, sorry If I have totally missed the answer to my question here, I do rather get lost in a sea of comments sometimes, so apologies if I am asking something that has already been answered, I wonder if someone would be kind enough to help me:

My PIP award is due to run out Jan 2023, I've had my reassessment forms and returned them.  This new extension announcement, what exactly does it mean?  And does anyone know roughly how far behind they are?  I'm told my award will continue to be paid until assessment has been completed.

Thank you, and apologies again If I am asking for information to be repeated.  Sometimes I just need a direct, plain speaking reply

Yes, your award will continue until a decision is made on your review. Backlogs vary in all areas but it's possible you could be waiting several months, maybe longer.

Wibbles

Whirlygirl1 said:

I filled out review documentation recently and sent this back. I received a text stating that DWP had received it but nothing since.  Does anyone have an idea of how long it takes to get an answer?  Im on the higher rate for mobility and standard for daily living at present (I did tell them that this is now affected more.    This is my only income, I worked full-time with MS until 2017 and was made redundant.  I did make some voluntary NI payments.     Now they are telling me that I cannot get other benefits because 37 years of National Insurance contributions are simply not enough.   One of the many people I spoke to in the DWP stated that yes I was getting NI credits - Im not convinced. Surely you have to apply for these?  Ive had no correspondence stating that Im getting these..   I also registered as self employed (a possible part-time role with a neighbour's company came up but I had to turn it down - they wanted me to employ someone when I was on holiday or off-sick - I would have only been earning £10 per hour anyway!  The contract given was seriously erroneous and sadly I had to say no.  So, Im completely stuck and basically going upstream without a paddle.  Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas?

You probably won't be receiving NI credits automatically - you will have to apply for them

To make use of NI for benefits - they must be RECENTLY EARNED - I believe within the last 2 years

I have 32 years worth of CONTRACTED OUT NI contributions and need another 8 to get a full state pension - I am receiving class 1 credits on a basis of being entitled to ESA but not actually receiving it !

ie) https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You’re not on Employment and Support Allowance but you satisfy the conditions for it Apply for ‘new style’ ESA to get Class 1 credits

madquasimodo

For anyone claiming universal credits, please go check your NI contributions, I am claiming universal credits, but no getting any NI contributions, Jobcenter never returned any fit for work notes so getting proof I received benefits is harder, jobcenter also don't keep records, so they say, I was injured at work, off sick, got ESA then universal credit, something broke in the system, others have the same issue, please check to make sure you are not affected.

happyfella

i handed mine back about one and a half months ago, the only thing i have heard from them is that they have received the forms. They have not said it they will be extending the award due to the backlog so not sure when i will hear. My award does not end until may

poppy123456

madquasimodo said:

For anyone claiming universal credits, please go check your NI contributions, I am claiming universal credits, but no getting any NI contributions

There have been issues with NI credits when claiming UC for quite sometime. My advice is to contact your local MP who will hopefully be able to help you.

Jon450XD

Well, I received a message stating that my PIP renewal had been accepted and I should hear within 8 weeks. This 43weeks ago. PiP ends next month as does my Motability lease that has already been extended by 6 months. Do I call them and ask what is happening. I know my injuries have caused problems and my multiple hospital admissions and new illness (getting old) Eosinophilic Asthma and Angina may need looking at but.

any ideas? I do not want to rock the boat but I am worried and need to know.

poppy123456

Jon450XD said:

Well, I received a message stating that my PIP renewal had been accepted and I should hear within 8 weeks. This 43weeks ago. PiP ends next month as does my Motability lease that has already been extended by 6 months. Do I call them and ask what is happening. I know my injuries have caused problems and my multiple hospital admissions and new illness (getting old) Eosinophilic Asthma and Angina may need looking at but.

any ideas? I do not want to rock the boat but I am worried and need to know.

Have you had an assessment yet? Your exisiting PIP will continue until a decision is made on your review. If your motability vehicle lease is due to end then you can ring them to ask them to extend it further and they will do that.

MadCow1

Hi everyone,

I recently asked if the PIP extension applied to me. I'm still wondering about it,as my award runs out on Jan 10th 2023,but I haven't heard anything from them since September,when they sent a text to say that they still have my form etc (which they received in March).What would be your advice.

calcotti

They only way to find out is to ring them.

MadCow1

Thanks @calcotti, that's what I was thinking.

rbz

Mine was extended from February 2023 till October 2023. Couple weeks ago received request to complete Award review form. Today contacted DWP by phone to ask why I should complete this form 40 weeks before my PIP ends. Lady from DWP said that there no more problems with PIP assessment and they scrapped my PIP extension.
But refused in written form tell me grounds why PIP extension were scrapped.

poppy123456

rbz said:

Mine was extended from February 2023 till October 2023. Couple weeks ago received request to complete Award review form. Today contacted DWP by phone to ask why I should complete this form 40 weeks before my PIP ends. Lady from DWP said that there no more problems with PIP assessment and they scrapped my PIP extension.
But refused in written form tell me grounds why PIP extension were scrapped.

When you ring PIP you're speaking to someone from a call centre, who is basically reading from a screen. They have very little knowledge. PIP extensions haven't been scrapped at all, they are still extending them because of backlogs.

Although your award has been extended this doesn't mean you weren't still due your review. The form will need to be filled in and returned by the date on the letter, they will extend that deadline if you ring to ask. If it's not returned then your PIP will stop.

rbz

@poppy123456 Lady from DWP clearly stated - there no more backlogs in our area anymore. Just give extra time for form filling. But no extra time for medical records. Some records I already received, but some still awaiting.

poppy123456

rbz said:

@poppy123456 Lady from DWP clearly stated - there no more backlogs in our area anymore. Just give extra time for form filling. But no extra time for medical records. Some records I already received, but some still awaiting.

She wasn't from DWP, she was from a call centre who would have no idea about backlogs. In all areas they are still concentrating on new claims, which has caused backlogs for reviews.

laurapeach

I won my award at Tribunal in 2020 and it is up for review in January 2024 - does this extension also apply to those who got an award through Tribunal?

poppy123456

laurapeach said:

I won my award at Tribunal in 2020 and it is up for review in January 2024 - does this extension also apply to those who got an award through Tribunal?

Sometimes but not always. You'll need to contact PIP to ask.

rbz

My PIP award were extended for 9 months (from February 2023 till November 2023). But on December 2022 received PIP Award Review form.
I contacted DWP and asked why they ask to complete PIP very early (over 40 weeks till November 2023). Today received official response from PIP Manager - extension were scrapped because no more backlogs. My award now again till February 2023. 
Now awaiting new assessment and new decision.