PIP Claimants with Mental Health Conditions Receive Benefit Renewals Without Face-to-Face Assessments

Thousands of individuals receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are having their benefits renewed for extended periods without undergoing face-to-face assessments. Recent figures reveal that in April alone, 7,213 claimants had their benefits “maintained”—a striking 467% increase from the 1,271 renewals recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among those whose benefits were extended, 5,300 received aid for mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, 1,078 for depressive disorder, and 835 for anxiety disorders. Despite such high numbers, only about five percent of these claimants were required to attend an in-person consultation.

PIP payments are divided into two components: Daily Living and Mobility. Each can be awarded at a Standard or Enhanced Rate, depending on the individual’s assessed needs. The awarding system assigns points — 8 to 11 points qualify claimants for the Standard Rate, 12 or more points for the Enhanced Rate, while scoring below 8 points results in no award for that component.

Awards vary in duration; they may be fixed-term with or without review or granted indefinitely with “light touch” reviews. This flexible approach has enabled many claimants with mental health conditions to have their benefits extended without frequent reassessments.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) acknowledged the challenges in the current system, stating: “The central conclusion of the Timms Review Interim Report is clear: PIP is no longer fit for purpose. The review’s final recommendations, expected this autumn, will lay the foundation for deep, sustainable reform.”

The DWP also emphasized efforts to address systemic issues, including the backlog and reduction of face-to-face assessments inherited from previous administrations. They highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at easing undue pressure on disabled people and projecting savings of approximately £2 billion through extended review periods and improved efficiency.