A PIP review is when DWP looks at your award again, either at the end of its review period or when you report a change. DWP sends a form called 'Personal Independence Payment Review' and you keep getting PIP while the review happens. Return the form within 1 month, and contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.
Key points
✓You continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.
✓Return the 'Personal Independence Payment Review' form within 1 month. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.
✓If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.
✓People with an ongoing award get a light touch review after 10 years.
✓DWP's statistics say that since April 2026 most new awards to people aged 25 or over will be for 4 years with a review after 3 years.
✓Over State Pension age on the standard rate of mobility? Regulation 27 means a later review can only award the standard rate of that part.
Get the official form
The PIP review form is called 'Personal Independence Payment Review'. DWP writes to you before your PIP end date and asks you to complete a PIP review form, called AR1 or AR2.
DWP sends you a letter asking you to fill in the form.
In Scotland you get Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP. In Northern Ireland, PIP is run by the Department for Communities.
How PIP awards are reviewed
Your first award is between 9 months and 10 years, depending on whether your needs are likely to change. Your decision letter tells you how long you will get PIP for, and when and if your claim will be reviewed. A review can happen:
At a planned point in your award (a planned award review)
When you report a change of circumstances
At the end of 10 years if you have an ongoing award, as a light touch review
DWP's statistics say that in the case of a reported change of circumstances or a planned award review, an ‘AR1’ form is issued.
DWP's statistics for July 2026 say that until April 2026, award durations ranged from a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 10 years. Since April 2026 most new awards to people aged 25 or over will be for 4 years with a review after 3 years. Subsequent awards following a successful review will be for 6 years with the review taking place after 5 years. The changes will also apply to the existing PIP caseload from 16 June 2026.
During a review of an award, the award level is assessed and may be changed, which can happen with or without the case first being referred to an assessment provider. A short term award without review is not subject to review but will end within a small number of years unless a new claim is submitted. Our PIP guide covers the claim itself, and change of circumstances covers what to report between reviews. The benefits section lists other benefits.
The PIP review form and what to do with it
You get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Personal Independence Payment Review’. How you fill it in matters:
1
Return the form within 1 month
GOV.UK says to return it within 1 month and to contact the PIP enquiry line (0800 121 4433) if you need more time. The PIP Regulations allow one month from the request, or a longer period DWP considers reasonable.
2
Fill in the form using the notes that come with it
A descriptor only applies if you can do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period, and if it applies on over 50% of the days of the required period. Our guide to the PIP2 form goes through each activity.
3
Send supporting information
Send the form and any supporting information you have not shared with DWP before. The form explains what to include and where to send it.
4
Go to any assessment
If DWP needs more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.
If you fail without good reason to return the information DWP asks for, the PIP Regulations say a negative determination must be made for the part of PIP the failure relates to. GOV.UK says to contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.
How PIP reviews turn out
After the review you get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. DWP's outcomes for reviews from August 2021 to July 2026:
Outcome
Planned award review
Change of circumstances
Award increased
14%
43%
Award maintained
65%
45%
Award decreased
5%
3%
Award disallowed
16%
6%
Source: DWP, PIP statistics to July 2026. A further 2% of change of circumstances reviews were withdrawn or voluntarily relinquished.
DWP counts an award as disallowed where the claimant's entitlement to benefit is ended. From August 2021 to July 2026, 79% of planned award reviews resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award, and 89% of changes of circumstances did. DWP says the difference reflects the fact that many PIP claimants report a change of circumstances when their condition or disability deteriorates and their needs increase.
Reviews after State Pension age: the mobility rule
The Welfare Reform Act 2012 says a person is not entitled to PIP for any period after reaching the relevant age, which is pensionable age or, if higher, 65. If you were entitled to PIP on the day before you reached that age, the rule that stops PIP for people of pensionable age does not apply to you (regulation 25 of the PIP Regulations 2013), so your award can continue and be reviewed. Regulation 27 then limits what a review can do with the mobility part.
Where your award includes the mobility part and it is superseded after you reached the relevant age (for example for a change that happened after that age, or where you applied for supersession or DWP started it after that age), regulation 27 says:
If your mobility award is the standard rate, DWP may only make an award for the standard rate, regardless of whether the award would otherwise have been for the enhanced rate.
It may only make that award where entitlement results from substantially the same condition or conditions as the original mobility award.
If your mobility award is the enhanced rate, DWP may only award that rate where entitlement results from substantially the same condition or conditions.
Regulation 27 covers the mobility part only. The rule turns on when you reached State Pension age and when the change or review happened, so it is worth having a welfare rights adviser check your dates.
From 31 May 2019, a guidance change for claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means that they are now generally awarded ongoing awards with a review at the 10-year point.
If you are over State Pension age and not getting PIP, you cannot usually make a new claim. You can apply for Attendance Allowance instead, or make a new PIP claim if you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months.
If a review reduces or stops your PIP
Ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month of the date of the decision. If that does not change it, you can appeal to the tribunal, usually within one month of the date of your mandatory reconsideration notice.
For award review outcomes following a PIP assessment between April 2021 and March 2026, DWP reports that 94% continued to be awarded PIP, that mandatory reconsideration was requested for 11% of reviews, and that 26% of completed mandatory reconsiderations resulted in a change to the award. Of the DWP decisions cleared at a tribunal hearing, 79% were overturned.
Does my PIP stop while I'm waiting for a review decision?
No. GOV.UK says you will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed. After the review you get a letter telling you what will happen, and if your needs have changed your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.
How long do I have to return the PIP review form?
GOV.UK says to return the 'Personal Independence Payment Review' form within 1 month, and to contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.
Can PIP mobility go up to enhanced after State Pension age?
Usually not. Regulation 27 of the PIP Regulations 2013 says that where your mobility award is the standard rate and it is superseded after you reached the relevant age, DWP may only make an award for the standard rate, regardless of whether the award would otherwise have been for the enhanced rate. Regulation 27 covers the mobility part only.
How often does a PIP review increase or reduce an award?
For planned award reviews from August 2021 to July 2026, DWP reports 14% of awards increased, 65% maintained, 5% decreased and 16% disallowed. For change of circumstances reviews, 43% increased, 45% maintained, 3% decreased and 6% disallowed.
Know Your Rights UK. "PIP Review 2026: The Review Form, Outcomes and Your Rights." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/pip/pip-renewal