Change to law could see some PIP recipients receive money in back-dated claims
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed a Supreme Court decision on Personal Independent Payments (PIP) that may see some people receiving money owed from as far back as 2016.
Kellie, who is the Alliance Party’s Communities spokesperson, specialising in Benefits and Housing, said: “When applying for PIP, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) now has to consider your ability to engage with other people face-to-face as part of the PIP assessment.
“If someone needs ‘prompting’, by way of reminding, encouraging or explaining, in social situations, DWP now have to consider whether this is ‘social support’.”
“As a result of the Supreme Court decision, it means DWP are looking at PIP claims from people who may be affected by this change. This includes looking again at some claims they decided on or after 6 April 2016, where PIP was awarded because of needing ‘prompting’ to engage with other people face to face. DWP will now consider whether they needed ‘social support’.
“This includes some claims where they did not award PIP”
“Not everyone will be eligible. If you are, DWP will write to you. You do not need to contact them.
“Given how many cases they will have to review, it may take some time for you to get this letter.
“DWP are not planning to invite claimants to have to undertake another assessment as part of this review, but they may contact you for more information.”
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