PIP review delays explained: Will your payments stop if your award is due to end?

If your current PIP award is due to end and the DWP it could be a big worry that payments will automatically stop.

But the good news is that, in most cases, your PIP payments will continue while your review is being carried out, that's as long as you've returned the review form and any information the DWP has requested.

Will my PIP stop if my review hasn't been completed?

If the DWP is carrying out a review of your existing PIP award, you'll usually continue receiving your payments until a decision has been made.

If your review isn't completed before your original award end date, the DWP may extend your award so your payments continue while the review is ongoing.

Once a decision has been made, the DWP will write to you explaining whether your award has changed or will stay the same

How does a PIP review work?

The DWP normally reviews most fixed-term PIP awards before they end.

As part of the process, you'll receive a Personal Independence Payment Review form asking whether your health condition or disability has changed since your last assessment.

You'll need to:

• Complete the review form.

• Return it within one month (or contact the DWP if you need more time).

• Include any supporting medical evidence that hasn't already been provided.

The DWP may then make a decision using the paperwork you've supplied or ask you to attend an assessment if more information is needed.

What happens if your circumstances have changed?

The review is your opportunity to tell the DWP if your condition has:

• Got worse.

• Improved.

• Stayed the same.

You should provide as much relevant evidence as possible, such as letters from healthcare professionals or details of how your condition affects your daily living and mobility.

The DWP makes decisions based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, rather than your diagnosis alone.

What if you miss the deadline?

The DWP asks claimants to return their review form within one month.

If you think you'll miss the deadline, you should contact the PIP enquiry line as soon as possible. In some cases, you may be given extra time to return the form.

Failing to respond could delay your review or affect your payments.

What if you disagree with the decision?

If you think the DWP has made the wrong decision after reviewing your PIP claim, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

This is the first step in challenging a decision. If you still disagree after the mandatory reconsideration, you may be able to appeal to an independent tribunal.

What has changed to PIP award periods in 2026?

New regulations in June gave the DWP the power to extend existing PIP award periods, meaning many claimants aged 25 and over in England and Wales can expect a longer stretch between reviews than they have experienced before.

The new regulations set a minimum review period of three years for new claims, rising to five years at the next review if the claimant remains entitled. The change is intended to reduce the volume of reassessments, cut administration costs, and ease the stress placed on claimants with stable, long-term conditions.

It means the DWP can now push back your review date rather than bringing you back in for reassessment on the original schedule.