Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons it is her Department’s policy that claimants with an award of personal independence payments from a tribunal are required to make a new claim at the end of the award rather than going through the renewal process.

A tribunal considering an appeal against a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision also considers the length of any award it may make. The length of award will be based on the individual’s needs and the likelihood of those changing. If it gives a short, fixed-term award then it is indicating that the claimant’s limitations are likely to improve to the point they would not be entitled at the end of their award. Accordingly, the Secretary of State implements the Tribunal’s decision on the award end date and does not schedule a review.