By Oscar Woods 
Thousands of UK pensioners may be entitled to backdated Personal Independence Payment awards worth several thousand pounds, following a combination of administrative reviews and legal changes that have exposed gaps in how claims were previously assessed.
The Department for Work and Pensions has been conducting reviews of PIP awards for older claimants, particularly those whose claims were assessed between April 2013 and November 2020. Some pensioners have already received lump sum payments ranging from £5,000 to £12,000 after errors in their original assessments were identified.
Table of Contents
Understanding PIP Backdated Payments
Personal Independence Payment is a benefit designed to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities manage extra costs related to daily living and mobility. Unlike means-tested benefits, PIP is available regardless of income or savings and continues to be paid alongside State Pension.
When payments are backdated automatically:
PIP is automatically backdated to the date a claim was first made, not to when the decision was reached. For example, someone who applied in March but received a decision in September would get a lump sum covering the period from their claim date through to their first regular payment.
As of July 2025, the DWP reports processing times averaging around 15 weeks from registration to decision for new claims. Once approved, the backdated amount is calculated and paid automatically with the first award.
Special circumstances for pensioners:
Older claimants are seeing backdated awards for different reasons than standard claim delays. These include corrections following the 2019 Supreme Court ruling on mental health assessments, the Regulation 27 administrative review for mobility components, and internal DWP reassessments that identified scoring errors.
The Regulation 27 Review
A significant legal change affects pensioners who were receiving PIP mobility support at the standard rate. Following a tribunal ruling in May 2020, regulations were amended on November 30, 2020 to fix an unintended gap in the law.
Previously, the DWP told claimants over State Pension age that their mobility award could not be increased based on new medical evidence simply because of their age. This restriction was found to be unlawful.
Who qualifies for this review:
- Your PIP claim was reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020
- You were over State Pension age at the time
- Your decision letter stated the mobility award could not be increased due to your age
- You had not reported changes in your mobility needs, or changes were dismissed
The enhanced mobility rate is currently worth £77.05 per week, or £308.20 every four-week payment period. Qualifying for the enhanced rate can also open access to the Motability Scheme.
To request this review, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 6579 and mention the ‘Regulation 27 administrative exercise review’. Have your National Insurance number ready. The DWP has stated existing awards will not be reduced because of this change.
Mental Health Assessment Corrections
Another major source of backdated payments stems from a 2019 Supreme Court ruling concerning how social support needs are assessed. The case involved a claimant known as MM and focused on the “engaging with other people face to face” activity.
The Supreme Court ruled that more people with mental health conditions who find social situations difficult should have been entitled to higher benefits from April 2016 onwards. This led to the DWP reviewing approximately 326,000 cases.
The ruling clarified that social support means assistance from someone trained or experienced in helping people engage in social situations. Before the decision, many claimants were scored zero points because the support they needed was dismissed or misunderstood.
Members of benefits advice groups have reported receiving backdated awards of £5,000 to £12,000 after their cases were reviewed under this ruling. The DWP began applying the Supreme Court decision from September 2020, and backdating to April 6, 2016 applies to eligible cases identified in the review.
How Much Could Pensioners Receive
Backdated amounts depend on three factors: the duration between entitlement start date and first payment, the PIP rate awarded (standard or enhanced), and which components (daily living, mobility, or both) were affected.
Current weekly rates for 2024/25:
- Standard Daily Living: £72.75 per week
- Enhanced Daily Living: £108.55 per week
- Standard Mobility: £28.70 per week
- Enhanced Mobility: £77.05 per week
For someone entitled to enhanced Daily Living and who waited 16 weeks for a decision, the backdated lump sum would be £1,736.80. If both components were affected over a longer period, amounts can reach several thousand pounds.
The payments are made as lump sums directly into bank accounts and are tax-free. Recipients can sometimes choose to receive the money in installments if preferred, though this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Important Distinctions for Pensioners
Claiming before versus after State Pension age:
Pensioners who claimed PIP before reaching State Pension age can continue receiving it indefinitely, including the mobility component. If underpayments are later discovered, they can still receive backdated mobility payments.
However, people who only apply after reaching State Pension age cannot start receiving the mobility component. Instead, they may qualify for Attendance Allowance, which only covers daily living support. This makes timing crucial for older people with mobility needs.
No backdating before claim date:
Despite common misconceptions, PIP is not backdated to before the date a claim was submitted. The three-month qualifying period is a waiting time during which ongoing difficulties must be demonstrated, but entitlement only begins from the claim date or the end of the qualifying period, whichever is later.
How to Check Entitlement
Pensioners who believe they may have been underpaid should first review their original decision letters for any discrepancies. If health conditions have worsened since the original assessment, submitting updated medical evidence can trigger a reassessment.
For claims that seem incorrect, the first step is requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration from the DWP within one month of receiving the decision. If unsuccessful, appeals can be escalated to an independent tribunal within one month of the Mandatory Reconsideration decision.
Support organizations:
Citizens Advice provides free help with form completion, appeals, and benefit entitlement checks. Contact them on 03444 111 444 or visit local branches.
Age UK specializes in supporting older adults with claiming Attendance Allowance or PIP and can provide tailored guidance.
Disability Rights UK offers downloadable guides and case examples for people with long-term conditions.
Local council welfare rights teams can assist with assessments, DWP communications, and paperwork submissions.
Impact on Other Benefits
Receiving PIP does not count as income for means-tested benefits and will not reduce entitlements like Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction. In fact, PIP can increase entitlement to other benefits through disability premiums.
For example, having the daily living component can trigger entitlement to a severe disability premium in Employment and Support Allowance awards. This is currently worth £66.95 per week and may also be backdated to the start of the PIP award, though it may not be applied automatically.
PIP awards also automatically qualify claimants for Blue Badge parking permits, with the Blue Badge benefits backdated to match the PIP award start date.
What to Do Next
Pensioners who think they may have been affected by assessment errors or legal changes should act promptly. Keep records of all DWP communications, including submission dates and reference numbers, as this documentation is vital for appeals or reconsiderations.
Submit any new medical evidence as soon as conditions change or worsen. Medical reports, care plans, and letters from healthcare professionals strengthen cases significantly.
For those uncertain about their entitlement, benefit calculators and advice services can provide personalized assessments of what support may be available. The key is not waiting for the DWP to make contact, as proactive claims and reviews often lead to faster resolutions.
With processing times still averaging 15 weeks and thousands of pensioners potentially entitled to corrections worth thousands of pounds, understanding these backdated payment rules has never been more important for older claimants navigating the benefits system in 2025.