Official Personal Independence Payments(PIP) Statistics tell us there has been a worrying decline in initial claims for benefit and also in challenges to decisions-
'Figures for March and April 2020 reflect the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted the activity of claimants and led to operational emergency procedures to process the claims in order to reduce the risk to claimants.
The reduction in the activity initiated by customers has led to lower levels of registrations of new claims, changes of circumstances and MRs. In April 2020 there were:
25,000 registrations for new claims (less than three fifths – 58% – of the level a year earlier and the lowest number since December 2013)
3,700 changes of circumstances (just over three fifths – 61% – of the level a year earlier and the lowest number since December 2017)
19,000 MR registrations, the lowest number since January 2016 Emergency operational measures implemented in late March include:
the temporary suspension of face-to-face health assessments (temporarily replaced by either telephone assessments or paper based reviews)
the delay to routine re-assessments and reviews
and extending awards due to end until they can be reviewed'
ACT NOW- Encourage your clients to continue to claim if you think they might be entitled. Remember PIP can not be backdated on a new claim, so don't delay.
Book now for our updated Benefits and Mental Health 2020 online course.
Book now for our updated Introduction to Welfare Benefits 2020 online course.