When a PIP award ends, DWP sends you a review form — your payments continue while the review is processed. You do not need to start a new claim from scratch. This guide explains the full review process, what DWP looks at, and how to protect your award.
When Will DWP Contact You?
DWP sends the PIP review form (AR1) some months before your award end date, so the review can be finished before the award runs out. Your award letter says when your award ends and when it will be reviewed: keep it safe.
Award types and what happens at review:
| Award type | When DWP reviews | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-term award (9 months to 10 years) | Before the end date | AR1 review form sent |
| Ongoing award (no end date) | At the review date in your letter; for people over State Pension age, a light-touch review every 10 years | Review form sent |
| Terminal illness award | Automatic 3-year award; extended if needed | DWP contacts proactively |
If you have not heard from DWP within 3 months of your award end date, contact the PIP helpline (0800 121 4433) to check the status.
Your Payments Continue During the Review
This is critical to understand. If DWP has sent you an AR1 and you return it by the deadline, your PIP continues to be paid at the current rate while DWP processes the review. This can take many months.
Your payments only stop if:
- DWP decides to end or reduce your award — and you are notified
- You do not return the AR1 form by the deadline
- You fail to attend a face-to-face or telephone assessment (if requested)
If you have returned your form and are still waiting, your payments should be continuing. Check your bank statements.
The Review Process Step by Step
- Receive the AR1 form — usually 6 months before award end date
- Complete and return the form within 1 month (call the PIP enquiry line if you need more time)
- Supporting evidence — send any new or updated medical evidence with the form
- Assessment — DWP may ask you to attend a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional, or complete a telephone/video assessment; this is not guaranteed at review stage
- Decision letter — DWP writes to you with their decision; payments continue until then
- If changed: you can request mandatory reconsideration within one month if you disagree
What DWP Looks for at a PIP Review
DWP compares your current level of need against the original PIP descriptors for the daily living and mobility components. They look at:
| Component | What’s assessed |
|---|---|
| Daily living | Preparing food, eating, managing medicines, washing, dressing, communicating, making decisions, engaging socially |
| Mobility | Planning a journey, moving around, following routes |
Points system (unchanged):
- 8+ points for standard rate; 12+ points for enhanced rate (per component)
- Your condition does not need to have changed — what matters is how it currently affects you
Be specific on the AR1 form. “I struggle to dress myself” is weak. “It takes me 30+ minutes to get dressed due to pain in my hands and shoulders, and I need to rest afterwards” is strong.
What Happens If Your Award Is Reduced or Stopped
If DWP decides to reduce or end your PIP:
- Mandatory reconsideration: request it within one month and DWP must look at the decision again. The new, lower award (or no award) applies while it does
- Appeal: if the reconsideration is unsuccessful, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) within one month of the reconsideration notice; get help from Citizens Advice if you can
- If you win, the extra PIP is paid back to the date the decision took effect
About two-thirds of PIP appeals decided at a tribunal hearing go in the claimant’s favour.
Preparing for Your Review
Update Your Evidence
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Request a new GP letter | Shows your current condition, not what it was years ago |
| Get specialist updates | New consultant letters carry significant weight |
| Update your medication list | Changes in medication show condition progression |
| Document new aids/adaptations | New equipment shows deterioration |
| Keep a fresh symptoms diary | 2-4 weeks of daily notes before completing the form |
Completing the Review Form
Treat the form as seriously as your original claim:
- Don’t assume DWP remembers your previous answers — Complete every section fully
- Describe your current condition — Not what it was when you first claimed
- Note any changes — Whether better, worse, or the same
- Include new conditions — Anything diagnosed since your last assessment
- Describe bad days in detail — They’re assessing the full picture
- Reference attached evidence — “As confirmed by Dr Smith’s letter dated…”
If Your Condition Has Worsened
This is actually a positive opportunity:
- Describe all new symptoms and limitations
- Provide evidence of deterioration
- You may qualify for a higher rate than your current award
- New conditions should be included even if not in the original claim
If Your Condition Is the Same
- Emphasise consistency: “My condition remains as described in my previous claim”
- Provide updated evidence confirming the ongoing nature
- Don’t say it’s improved or minimise difficulties to seem cooperative
- Include any new ways it affects you that you may have missed before
If Your Condition Has Improved
- Be honest — DWP may have evidence of improvement
- Focus on remaining limitations — improvement doesn’t mean recovery
- If you still meet the descriptors, make that clear
- Improvement in one area doesn’t mean improvement overall
Common Review Pitfalls
| Pitfall | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Returning the form late | Set a reminder, complete it early, send recorded delivery |
| Not including new evidence | Always submit fresh medical evidence, even for unchanged conditions |
| Minimising difficulties | Describe your actual limitations — this isn’t the time for optimism |
| Forgetting new conditions | Include every condition, even ones diagnosed after your original claim |
| Not asking for help | Citizens Advice and welfare rights advisors can help complete the form |
| Assuming the review is a formality | Treat it as seriously as a new claim |
Light Touch Reviews
If you are over State Pension age and have an ongoing PIP award, DWP carries out a “light touch” review every 10 years:
- You fill in a shorter form
- You usually don’t need an assessment
- The decision is based on your form and the evidence DWP already has You cannot ask for a light touch review; it depends on your age and award.
Why PIP Gets Stopped
Most PIP awards are for a fixed term, though some are ongoing. The most common reasons PIP stops:
| Reason | What happens |
|---|---|
| Award end date reached | DWP sends an AR1 renewal form; PIP stops if not returned or if reassessment finds no entitlement |
| Reassessment outcome | DWP decides your condition has improved and you no longer qualify |
| Missed assessment | PIP stops if you don’t attend a scheduled assessment without good reason |
| Going abroad | Tell DWP if you plan to go abroad for more than 4 weeks; PIP can carry on for up to 13 weeks away, or 26 weeks if it's for medical treatment. The daily living part can continue if you move to an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein |
| Change of circumstances | Reporting a change (for example, needing less help) can lead DWP to review and reduce or stop your award |
| Hospital, prison or detention | PIP stops after 28 days as an NHS hospital inpatient, or after 28 days in prison or legal detention |
The Payment Gap Problem
Your PIP stops immediately on the decision date — not when the MR or appeal is resolved. This means you could face a gap of weeks or months with no PIP income.
Options during the gap:
- If you get Universal Credit or another income-related benefit, you may be able to get a Budgeting Advance or help from your council’s local welfare assistance scheme
- If you win the appeal, DWP backdates all missed payments to the decision date
Knock-On Effects on Other Benefits
Losing PIP can trigger further benefit losses:
- Carer’s Allowance and the UC carer element: a carer who gets these for caring for you because you get the daily living part may lose them (the carer element is £209.34 a month in 2026/27)
- Motability scheme: Enhanced mobility rate entitles you to lease a vehicle — this ends with the award
- Severe disability premium (legacy benefits): the daily living part at either rate is one of the conditions, so losing it ends the premium
- Vehicle tax: the enhanced mobility rate gives an exemption and the standard rate a 50% reduction; these end with the award
Getting Help With Your PIP Review
- Citizens Advice — free advice and support completing the AR1 form
- Scope (disability charity) — specialist support for disabled people
- Macmillan — for cancer-related PIP claims
- Your local welfare rights service (via your council) — most offer free help
See our full PIP guide and Universal Credit guide for related information.