PIP Review Form - How to Fill It In (AR1 Guide 2026)

The PIP review form (AR1, sometimes called PIP2R) is sent to you before your award ends. It looks similar to the original PIP2 form and covers the same 12 activities. How you fill it in determines whether you keep your current award, get more or lose everything. Here is how to get it right.

The Biggest Mistake: Writing "No Change"

Many people write "nothing has changed" or "same as before" on their review form. This is the single biggest mistake you can make. The decision maker reviewing your form may not have access to your original application. They are making a fresh decision based on what you write NOW. If you write "no change," they have nothing to work with and may reduce or remove your award.

Treat the review form as a completely new application. Describe every difficulty in full detail as if this is the first time anyone is reading about your conditions.

How to Fill In Each Section

Your conditions: List EVERY condition you have, including any new ones since your last assessment. If your existing conditions have worsened, say so explicitly: "My fibromyalgia has deteriorated since my last assessment. I now experience daily pain levels of 7-8/10 compared to 5-6/10 previously."

Medication and treatment: List every single medication, dosage and frequency. Include over-the-counter medications, creams, inhalers, injections and therapies. The length of this list demonstrates the complexity of managing your health.

The 12 activities: For each activity, describe:

• What you cannot do and why
• What help you need and from whom
• What happens on your worst days (with specific day counts)
• What aids or equipment you use
• Whether things have got worse, stayed the same or (honestly) improved
• How the reliability criteria apply: can you do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time?

What If Your Condition Has Got Worse?

The review is your chance to increase your award. If you now need more help than when you first claimed, describe the deterioration clearly. For example: "Since my last assessment, I have developed [new symptom]. I now require assistance with [activity] which I could previously manage independently. My medication has been increased from [old dose] to [new dose], which causes additional side effects including [list]."

What If Your Condition Is the Same?

Describe your current difficulties in the same detail you would for a new claim. "My condition remains unchanged" is not enough. Write: "I continue to experience [specific symptoms] on [X] days per week. I still require [specific help] from [person] with [specific activities]. My daily functioning has not improved."

Evidence for Your Review

Send fresh evidence with your review form. Old evidence from 3 years ago will not be enough. Get:

• A current GP letter describing your conditions NOW
• Recent consultant letters
• An updated statement from your carer or family member
• Any new diagnoses or referrals since your last assessment
• Recent prescription lists

Timeline

You will receive the review form approximately 9-15 months before your award end date. You have one month to return it, with a 2-week extension available if you call 0800 121 4433. Your current PIP payments continue throughout the review process until a new decision is made.

What Happens After You Send It Back?

The DWP will either make a decision based on your form and evidence (paper-based review) or invite you for an assessment. Paper-based reviews are increasingly common and usually mean your award continues at the same level. If you are called for an assessment, prepare as you would for a new claim.

The Phrases That Hurt Most at Review

Train yourself to avoid:

• "No change" - signals laziness, suggests no impact
• "Same as before" - assessor has no "before" reference
• "Coping OK" - sounds like no help needed
• "Things have improved" without context - may trigger reduction
• "I manage" - signals self-sufficiency
• "Better than last year" - relative improvement may not mean function restored
• "I am OK most days" - vague majority statement undermines reliability test

What Triggers a Full Reassessment vs Paper Review

• Paper review more likely if: Detailed, fresh evidence submitted, consistent with previous claim, no significant changes, light-touch review category
• Full reassessment more likely if: Vague answers, lack of fresh evidence, significant reported improvement, time since last review >5 years, unusual conditions, conflicting information

To maximise paper review chances: comprehensive form, recent specialist letter (under 12 months), detailed carer statement, list of all current medications.

How Your Award Could Change

• Award continues same: Most common outcome - around 60% of reviews
• Award increased: Approximately 15% - usually because condition worsened or you described impact better
• Award decreased: Approximately 15% - often due to under-description, can be challenged via MR
• Award removed entirely: Approximately 5-10% - usually challengeable via MR/tribunal

If your award reduces or stops, request MR within one month. Around two thirds of tribunal appeals succeed (Source: HMCTS Tribunal Statistics).

Documenting Worsening Conditions

If your condition has deteriorated, document with:

• New diagnoses or referrals
• Medication dose increases
• New medications added
• More appointments / specialist input
• Hospital admissions since last review
• Surgical interventions
• Care package introduction or increase
• Aids and adaptations added (commode, stairlift, grab rails)
• New mobility aids needed (stick, frame, wheelchair)
• Loss of work, change of role, retirement on ill-health

Honest Disclosure of Improvements

If something has genuinely improved, be honest. The DWP detects inconsistencies. Honest disclosure protects you from overpayment recovery later. But:

• Describe improvement specifically rather than vaguely
• Note what ISN'T improved
• Mention if improvement may not be sustained
• Don't volunteer that you're "almost back to normal" if you're not

Most "improvements" in chronic conditions are partial or temporary. Be precise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get help filling in the review form?

Yes if possible. Citizens Advice, Macmillan, charity benefits advisers all help. Many people get a better outcome with professional support.

What if my condition has genuinely got better?

Report honestly. Your award may reduce but you will not be penalised for honesty. Concealing improvement can lead to overpayment recovery and fraud allegations.

Can I appeal a review decision?

Yes - same MR + tribunal route as new claims. One month to request MR after decision letter. Around two thirds of tribunal appeals succeed.

Will my payments continue during the review?

Yes. Existing payments continue until new decision. No gap in payments. Even if review extends past your award end date, payments continue.

How long does a review take?

Typically 8-16 weeks for paper-based review. 16-26 weeks if assessment required. Slowest cases over 6 months.

What if I miss the deadline to return the form?

Call 0800 121 4433 immediately. Extensions usually granted with reason. Missing deadline without contact can lead to award stopping.

I am being reviewed but my condition has not changed - what do I write?

Describe current function as if for a new claim. Don't write "no change." The decision-maker treats your description as the only evidence. Detailed current description = continued or improved award; vague description = reduced award.