PIP Review - Why You Should Never Write 'No Change'

"Nothing has changed." "Same as before." "No change." These three phrases have cost thousands of PIP claimants their awards at review. Here is why you should never write them and what to do instead.

Why "No Change" Is Dangerous

When you write "no change," the decision maker has nothing to work with. They may not have your original form. Even if they do, they need CURRENT information to make a CURRENT decision. "No change" tells them nothing about your current difficulties.

The DWP treats every review as a fresh decision. They are not just checking whether things changed. They are re-assessing your eligibility from scratch. If you give them an empty form, they have no evidence to award you anything.

What Has Actually Happened to People

Claimants who wrote "no change" have had their awards:

• Reduced from enhanced to standard rate
• Reduced from both components to one
• Removed entirely - going from full PIP to zero

All because the decision maker had insufficient information to justify continuing the award at the same level.

What to Write Instead

For each activity, describe your CURRENT difficulties as if nobody has ever read about your conditions before. Use this structure:

"I continue to experience [specific symptoms] which prevent me from [specific activity]. On [X] days per week, I require [specific help] from [person]. Without this help, I would be unable to [consequence]. My condition has not improved since my last assessment and I remain unable to complete this activity safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a reasonable time."

This takes more effort than writing "no change" but it is the difference between keeping your award and losing it.

If Things Genuinely Haven't Changed

Even if your condition is exactly the same, you still need to describe it in full. Write: "My condition remains the same as at my last assessment. I continue to experience..." and then describe everything. The word "continue" acknowledges nothing has changed while still providing the detail the decision maker needs.

How a Decision-Maker Reviews Your Case

When your review form arrives at the DWP, here is what actually happens. A decision-maker (not your previous assessor) opens a file with:

• Your original PIP2 form from years ago
• The original assessor's report
• The original decision letter
• Your current review form (AR1)
• Any new medical evidence you submitted

They read the review form first. If you wrote "no change", they then look at the old assessor's report - which may have under-recorded your difficulties even back then. They have no current picture of how your condition affects you now. From their perspective, the safest decision is to reduce or remove the award until you provide more information.

If instead you write a full description on the review form, they can see the current functional impact, match it to descriptors and award you what you are entitled to. The form is the entire case.

The Five Things Every Review Form Should Cover

For each PIP activity, your review form should answer these five questions:

1. What can you still not do? Be specific about the activity element you struggle with.
2. How often? "On 5 days out of 7" or "approximately 4 times per week", not "sometimes".
3. What help do you receive? From whom, for what, how long.
4. What help do you need but go without? If you live alone, what does not get done.
5. What is the impact when you try? Pain, fatigue, panic, payback, incidents.

Specific Examples of Strong Review Wording

Weak (the kind that triggers a reduction): "Same as before. I still cannot cook properly."

Strong: "My fibromyalgia continues to limit my ability to prepare and cook meals. On 5 days out of 7, I cannot stand at the worktop for more than 5 minutes due to lower back pain and fatigue. My partner cooks our main meal on most days. On the 2 better days I can manage cold food or a microwave meal but cannot use the hob safely because of grip failure when holding pans. I have not improved since my last assessment in 2023. I take Pregabalin 300mg three times daily which causes brain fog - this also affects my safety in the kitchen."

The second version names: condition, specific limitation, frequency in days, who helps, what you cannot do safely, medication side effects. That is the level of detail a decision-maker needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AR1 form?

The AR1 is the PIP review questionnaire. It covers the same 12 activities as the original PIP2 but is shorter. Despite being shorter, you should still fill in every activity section in full - the brevity of the form is a trap that leads claimants to write less than they should.

How long do I have to return the review form?

Usually one month from the date on the form. If you need more time, call 0800 121 4433 immediately and request an extension. Late returns without notice can result in your award being suspended.

Will the DWP contact my GP for me?

Sometimes - it depends on the case and the decision-maker. You cannot rely on it. Always submit your own up-to-date medical evidence with the review form. A bespoke GP letter from the last 12 months is significantly stronger than the DWP requesting standard records.

Can I attach extra pages to the review form?

Yes. Many activity boxes are too small for a proper answer. Continue on extra sheets, title them clearly with your full name, National Insurance number and the activity number, and sign and date each sheet. There is no penalty for additional pages and most successful review claimants use them.

What if my condition has actually improved?

Be honest. If one or two activities really are easier now, do not pretend otherwise - decision-makers can spot exaggeration. Focus on activities where difficulties are unchanged or worse. Tribunals respect honest claims and an honest claim is more credible than a perfect one.

Should I include medical evidence with my review form?

Yes, always. Updated GP letter, specialist letters from the last 12 months, current medication list with side effects and any care plans. Even if your condition has not changed, current evidence proves it is still active and at the same severity. Without current evidence the decision-maker may assume things have improved over the years since your original award.

What happens if my award is reduced at review?

You have one month to request a Mandatory Reconsideration. If that fails you can appeal to tribunal where around two thirds of PIP appeals are decided in the claimant's favour (Source: HMCTS Tribunal Statistics). Your new (reduced) payment continues during the appeal. See our guide on what to do if your award is reduced.