DWP suspends benefit reviews and reassessments

Written by Jessica Bomford, March 25, 2020

Reviews and reassessments for disability benefits are being suspended for the next three months as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced.

This temporary measure has come into immediate effect and is part of the DWP’s efforts to focus on providing access to financial support for new claimants.

The suspension applies to Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

The announcement means:

  • there will be no new reviews or reassessments across all benefits for three months
  • face-to-face assessments have been suspended for three months, including new claims
  • if you are a PIP claimant and an assessment has already taken place this will continue to be processed. If an assessment has been scheduled, claimants will be contacted to discuss what happens next
  • Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit claimants whose cases have been referred to the provider will be contacted about what happens now
  • where awards are due to run out, the DWP will extend end-dates so that claimants continue to receive financial support at their current rate during this period
  • If you have a change in needs you should contact the DWP to make sure you are getting the right level of support

It has already been announced that people receiving benefits do not have to attend job centre appointments for at least three months. Job centres remain open to support people who are not able to use phones or online services.

This suspension will be kept under review and may be extended if necessary.

You can read the Department for Work and Pensions’ announcement here.