Moving from DLA to PIP – what to do if your award is reduced or stopped

2023-11-20 Written by We Do Your Marketing

 

If you were getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and have been re-assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), your new award might be less than you were getting on DLA or it might have stopped entirely. Find out how to challenge your PIP decision, and make ends meet in the short term.

What’s in this guide

When does DLA end?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland are replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged over 16 and under State Pension age.

If you get DLA and your claim has an end date, you’ll be asked to claim PIP or ADP before your DLA ends.

If you get DLA and your claim doesn’t have an end date, you can be asked to claim PIP at any time.

Back to top 

If you think the decision to reduce or stop paying PIP or ADP is wrong

If you disagree with a benefits decision, you’re allowed to ask for the decision to be looked at again. This is called a mandatory reconsideration.

You must ask for this within one month of the date on your decision letter by:

  • phone using the number on the decision letter, or
  • post by completing the CRMR1 form.

Explain why you think their decision is wrong and send copies of any more evidence you’ve got if you think it will help your case.

When the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has looked at your decision again, they’ll send you two copies of a document called a mandatory reconsideration notice. This will let you know the result of the reconsideration. If you don’t agree with this decision, you can appeal against it.

Download the CRMR1 form and notes about how to disagree with a decision on GOV.UKOpens in a new window

How to appeal

You can only appeal against a disability benefits decision when you’ve had a mandatory reconsideration notice.

To appeal, you need to send the following to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (the address is on the form):

Back to top 

Help if your PIP or ADP award is less than you got on DLA

If your award is reduced or stopped, the DWP will continue to pay your existing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for at least four weeks. This is to give you extra, limited support.

This is to help you prepare for coping with less money.

You’ll need to work out if it’s possible to save any money or increase your income as soon as possible.

Back to top 

Help if you have an emergency expense

There might be some help available if you need to find money quickly for an emergency or unexpected expense.

Local welfare schemes

If you’re facing a sudden emergency and are on a very low income, you might be able to apply to your council’s local welfare scheme for vouchers to pay for essentials such as:

  • food
  • fuel
  • clothing
  • household items, such as cookers or fridges.

Each county in the UK runs its own scheme. To find out what’s available in your area, contact your local council.

Budgeting Loans and Budgeting Advances

If you’ve been getting some income-related benefits for at least 26 weeks, you might be able to apply for a Budgeting Loan to pay for an emergency expense.

Income-related benefits could include:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

You’ll have to repay the amount you borrow within two years.

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can apply for a Budgeting Advance instead. You’ll usually have up to 24 months to pay the loan back. 

Back to top 

Check you’re getting the right benefits and entitlements


If your income has reduced, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.

You can use our Benefits Calculator to check. 

Your local Citizens Advice can also carry out a full benefits check to make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.

Find your nearest branch at Citizens AdviceOpens in a new window

It might be worth checking if you qualify for charitable help and grants.

 
Back to top 

See if you can get a reduction on your Council Tax bill

You can get a reduction on your Council Tax bill if you’re disabled, and you need to live in a larger home than you would otherwise need. If you’re the only adult in your household, or you only share your home with a live-in carer (not related to you), you can get 25% off your Council Tax bill. 

If you live on your own and have a diagnosed severe mental impairment or live only with others who have this condition, you might qualify for a 100% reduction on your Council Tax.

Back to top 

Motability Transitional Package

If you joined the Motability scheme before January 2014 but no longer qualify under PIP or ADP, you might be eligible for a one-off £2,000 payment.

This is part of a transitional package to help you continue to meet your mobility needs by buying a used car.

If you joined the Motability scheme from 1 January 2014 onwards, you might qualify for a one-off payment of £1,000.

Back to top 

Increasing your income


If you would like help to find, or prepare for, work – there are organisations that can give you the support you might need if you have a disability or learning difficulty.

To find out more about support and advice to get you back into work, download the free factsheet ‘Careers and work for disabled people’ on Disability Rights UKOpens in a new window

If you have a disability, health or mental health condition, the government’s Access to Work scheme might be able to help you with the costs of getting into work or staying in work.

Rent a room scheme

If you have a spare room in your home, the first £7,500 a year from renting it out is tax-free.

Back to top 

Saving money

If you can, try saving a little bit of money to give yourself a cushion if you face an emergency expense in the future or to help you pay for things like Christmas or birthday presents.

Back to top 

Borrowing money

If you’re coping with a sudden drop in income, it can be tempting to borrow money.

However, it’s important to be sure you’re able to pay the money back or you could end up in debt.

If you’re borrowing money to pay off debts, or to pay essential household bills or rent, it’s important to get free debt advice. This will help you find out how you can get back on track.

Back to top 

If you’re worried about debts, get advice

If you’re having trouble with debt and are finding it hard to manage things yourself, the last thing you might want to do is talk to a complete stranger about your problems.  

But it can be the best thing you can do, especially if you’re thinking about using a formal debt repayment method, like a debt repayment plan or bankruptcy. It’s always best to talk things through with an experienced adviser before you make a decision.  

This is because there are many ways to deal with debts and you might not be aware of all the options that are available to you. The way that is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances.  

A free debt adviser can help you decide which option is right for you. Depending on your circumstances, this might just take one conversation. 

A debt adviser will: 

  • treat everything you say in confidence 

  • never judge you or make you feel bad about your situation 

  • suggest ways of dealing with debts that you might not know about

  • check you’ve have applied for all the benefits and entitlements available to you. 

.

The content of this Factsheet has been created by and is provided by The Money Advice Service and is produced under licence from them.
Please be aware there are links contained within this factsheet that may take you to external sites, we are not responsible for their content. This is a general advice and information factsheet only and should not be treated as a definitive guide and does not constitute legal or professional advice. We are not a law firm and information is not intended to create a solicitor client relationship. Law Express and The Money Advice Service does not accept any responsibility for any loss which may arise from relying on information contained in this factsheet. This is not a substitute for legal advice and specific and personal legal advice should be taken on any individual matter. If you need more details or information about the matters referred to in this factsheet please seek formal legal or financial advice.
The Money Advice Service is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Money Advice Service does not provide a regulated service. The information and tools that the Money Advice Service provides are generic and should be of general assistance to you in managing your finances. However, the money advice service cannot recommend specific financial products and always recommends that you seek further information from an independent financial adviser, and/or further information from the providers of specific financial products.
This factsheet is correct at time of going to print. The law set out in this factsheet applies to England and Wales unless otherwise stated.


Illness and Disability