Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what types of medical condition are exempt from personal independence payments 10-year mandatory reviews.

With the exception for claims made under special rules for the terminally ill, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a long-term health condition or a disability,not the health condition or the disability itself. Therefore, the length and the rate of a PIP award is set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing.

Regular reviews of PIP, which can be paid at one of eight rates, are a key feature of the benefit and ensure that not only do awards remain correct where needs may change, including where needs become greater,but that we also maintain contact with the claimant.

As previously announced, we are currently developing a change to guidance which will ensure that those receiving the highest level of support under PIP, who have needs which are unlikely to change, or may even get worse, will now receive an on-going award with a light touch review at the 10 year point.