PIP Review - How to Prepare and Keep Your Award 2026

A PIP review can be terrifying - especially if you've heard stories of people losing their award. But with the right preparation, you can protect your score and even increase it. Many people actually score higher at review than their original claim because they understand the system better the second time around.

How PIP Reviews Work

The DWP reviews PIP awards at set intervals - usually every 1-3 years, though some awards last longer. From April 2026, people with stable long-term conditions may have reviews extended to 3-5 years or be exempted entirely.

When your review is due, the DWP will send you a form called AR1 (Award Review). This is essentially the same as the PIP2 form - it asks about all 12 activities and how your conditions affect your daily life. You have one month to return it.

After you return the form, you may be invited to a telephone or face-to-face assessment - or the DWP may make a decision based on your form alone (called a "paper-based review").

Why People Lose Points at Review

The most common reasons people lose PIP at review:

• They copy their old form - conditions change, and so should your descriptions. If you just repeat what you said last time, the assessor may think nothing has changed - or worse, that you've improved
• They describe improvement - if you mention anything positive ("I've been doing some physio" or "I'm managing a bit better with my new medication"), the assessor focuses on this
• They're too brief - a review form needs just as much detail as a new claim. One sentence per activity isn't enough
• They forget new conditions - if you've developed new health problems since your last claim, they ALL need to be on the review form
• They focus on diagnosis, not impact - the same mistake as first-time claimants. "I have arthritis" scores nothing. How it affects you scores points

How to Prepare for Your Review

Start early. Don't wait until the form arrives. Begin preparing at least a month before your review date:

• Keep a diary for 2-4 weeks documenting your worst days - what you couldn't do, what help you needed, how long things took
• Get updated medical evidence - ask your GP for a letter describing how your conditions currently affect daily activities. If you have new conditions since your last claim, get these documented
• List ALL your conditions - not just the main one. Every condition, every symptom, every medication side effect. New conditions that have developed since your last claim are especially important
• Review your current award - check your decision letter to see what points you scored on each activity. Focus on activities where you scored 0 but actually have difficulties
• Think about what's changed - has your condition worsened? New symptoms? New medication with side effects? Do you need more help than before?

What to Write on the Review Form

The review form asks the same questions as the PIP2 - about all 12 daily living and mobility activities. For each activity, describe:

• What you cannot do on the majority of days
• Why - linked to your specific conditions
• What help you need from another person
• What happens on your worst days and how often
• What aids you use and whether they're enough

The key difference from a new claim: you should also mention anything that has worsened since your last assessment. New symptoms, new conditions, increased frequency of bad days - all of this strengthens your case for maintaining or increasing your award.

If Your Condition Has Worsened

If your health has declined since your last claim, your review is an opportunity to score higher. Make sure you clearly describe what has changed, with specific examples and evidence. Don't be modest - if things are worse, say so clearly.

You can also request a supersession at any time (not just at review) if your condition has significantly worsened. This is a separate process from the scheduled review.

If You Lose Points at Review

If your review results in a lower award or your PIP being stopped, you have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month. Around 1 in 3 MRs result in a changed decision. If that fails, you can appeal to tribunal where around two thirds of PIP cases are decided in the claimant's favour.

Crucially, if you request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month, your PIP usually continues to be paid at the old rate until the MR is decided.

2026 Changes Affecting Reviews

From April 2026, several changes affect reviews:

• Fewer reassessments - 700,000 people with severe conditions exempted from routine reviews
• Longer review periods - many claimants will have 3-5 year gaps between reviews
• The 4-point rule (from November 2026) - at your next review, the new rule requiring 4+ points in a single activity will apply. This could affect people who currently score small amounts across multiple activities