Following considerable delays in the processing of new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced making an extension to existing PIP awards approaching their end of award date.
You may already have received a text message from the DWP about this decision. From 31 October, a letter will be sent automatically to claimants confirming continuing entitlement for up to 12 months. You should not need to contact the DWP unless your circumstances change but a helpline number is available on 0800 1214433 if you require a statement.
The PIP award extension provides greater certainty for claimants and in particular helps with continuing to access other support for, example a blue badge or travel pass.
Sheffield City Council’s Customer Services team, which administers the
Blue Badge scheme and the Disabled Person’s Travel Pass , has been proactive in acknowledging the extension to PIP awards.
Linda Lawson, Customer Services Manager says
“We were aware that the DWP were going to extend PIP awards for a further year but we had nothing ‘official’. We contacted Disability Sheffield , who were able to share with us evidence of the extension so that we can implement this change to help our customers who receive PIP as a qualifying benefit.”
You can read the full DRUK article outlining the automatic extension here
