Unpaid enhanced mobility: changes to PIP law from 30 November 2020
Updated 22 May 2024
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Background
In Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) considers your ability to move around.
Change to PIP law
The change in law relates to claimants over State Pension age and their entitlement to the enhanced mobility award.
This change in law follows a tribunal ruling on 22 May 2020 which identified an unintentional gap in regulation 27 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013.
DWP did not have the legal powers to restrict the mobility award for claimants who were in receipt of the standard rate of the mobility award and over State Pension age, on the grounds of new medical evidence. New medical evidence is a report from a health professional requested by DWP which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award.
DWP were only able to restrict the mobility award for claimants if a relevant change in circumstances was identified after they reached State Pension age.
Changes to PIP regulations took effect from 30 November 2020 to correct this unintentional gap.
What this means for you
If you think you are affected, you can find out about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a revision of your mobility award.
This may also apply to claimants who have died. If you are the person dealing with the estate and think they may have been affected you can contact DWP.
Help with PIP
You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.