pip award review time scale how long ?

It's been just over 8 months since I sent my review form and medical evidence in.  The latest update when I called PIP last week was that the form is still in a backlog and has not even been looked at yet. 

I'm on enhanced for both groups that was due to run out in March 2023 but due to the covid backlog, I recieved a letter in 2022 telling me it had been extended till January 2024. Feb 2023 I suddenly get a full review/new application form telling me I had 4 weeks from the date of the letter to complete the renewal/new application. As you know, the date on the dwp letter rarely matches the date you get it and in my case I did not get it till week three of the four.

Not wishing for anything to go wrong, I sent it by special delivery for next day arrival on the 15th of March. I recieved confirmation through track and trace that they recieved it on the 16th of March.

At week 18 I rang and after a 39 minute on hold wait, I was told that due to the backlog it was taking longer. I explained the waiting more than the decision was causing more distress, they again just said backlog but should be started soon.

Today, 25th of August I phone them and after a 43 minute wait on hold, the lady tells me she needs to pass me over to the case worker. He comes on the line and it gets no better. He tells me after 24 weeks of having my renewal application, no one has even looked at it due to the backlog, no one.

He said, don't worry, you're still getting paid and if we haven't sorted it soon it may just get extended for another 12 months. I highlight I have had 24 weeks of full on anxiety only to be told you haven't even looked at it. We went round in circles for a few minutes only to both decide there is nothing they can do

To me it's clear, they saw the jan 2024 extension as an excuse to sit on my feb 2023 request form and have done nothing with it at all. I don't know what to do now as it seems no matter the daily stress and anxiety, I'm about to have more of the same with no prospect of a decision anytime soon.

I returned my review form last May. I had my assessment early July this year. So that was a wait of around 14 months. 
I had my decision this week.

My son's PIP was also up for review and I sent that around August time last year. Still waiting to hear about an assessment.

onlymeagain said:

Franklyn said:

To me it's clear, they saw the jan 2024 extension as an excuse to sit on my feb 2023 request form and have done nothing with it at all. I don't know what to do now as it seems no matter the daily stress and anxiety, I'm about to have more of the same with no prospect of a decision anytime soon.

So worrying about the form, which will have little influence over the decision, is not worth it.

Indeed it doesn't but should. However, if the form is completed with all the relevant information to start with then there would be less need for the assessment and the report can be written based on all the information you sent.

Can I ask those who have recieved a decision. Did they start the award from the original review date or from the date they actually approved it?

In my case they asked fror the review in feb of this year but it's likely my decision won't happen till the end of the year.

I've been waiting for my renewal decision and to see if my award goes up.. if I am awarded a higher level of pip even though it's been in since november last year iv been told they wont backdate it.. so I guess the longer they sit on it the less they have to pay out if I do get a higher payment!