Certain groups of older people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with an award for the lower rate of mobility element may be able to ask the DWP to look again at their claim following a law change
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
06:51, 20 Dec 2025Updated 08:45, 20 Dec 2025
The legislative update stems from a tribunal decision on May 22, 2020(Image: fizkes via Getty Images)
Certain older people claiming Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) with the lower mobility rate may now be able to request the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reassess their case following a recent legal amendment. Those beyond State Pension age might also secure a boosted mobility award under PIP, even if payments have previously ceased.
It’s crucial to note, however, that this legal shift exclusively affects claimants past State Pension age and their eligibility for the enhanced mobility component. Fresh DWP guidance clarifies it solely covers PIP claims reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020.
The legislative update stems from a tribunal decision on May 22, 2020, which exposed an inadvertent loophole in regulation 27 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, reports the Daily Record.
The enhanced mobility rate of PIP also provides access to the Motability Scheme.(Image: Getty)
According to the guidance: “DWP did not have the legal powers to restrict the mobility award for claimants who were in receipt of the standard rate of the mobility award and over State Pension age, on the grounds of new medical evidence. New medical evidence is a report from a health professional requested by DWP which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award.
“DWP were only able to restrict the mobility award for claimants if a relevant change in circumstances was identified after they reached State Pension age.”
Change to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules came into force on 30 November 2020, addressing an unintended loophole. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging anyone who believes they may have been impacted to request a review of their claim.
So, who might qualify for the enhanced mobility rate of PIP?
In the past, the DWP relied on a health professional’s report when assessing your claim. If you hadn’t reported any changes in your mobility needs, you could be due an increase in your mobility award. This is because the DWP should not have informed you that it couldn’t be increased due to you reaching State Pension age – which means you could have been entitled to more cash.
The enhanced mobility rate is currently valued at £77.05 per week for this financial year, equating to £308.20 every four-week pay period. An award for the enhanced mobility rate could also grant someone access to the Motability Scheme, assisting with their mobility needs.
Eligibility
You might be eligible for a higher award for the mobility component of your PIP, even if you’re no longer receiving PIP, if all of the following conditions are met:
you had your PIP claim reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020you were over State Pension ageyou received the standard rate of the mobility awardyou did not report a change in your circumstances that affected your mobility needsyou had a health professional assessmentyou continued to receive the standard rate of the mobility awardyour decision letter told you we could not increase your mobility award because you were over State Pension age
The DWP has also previously stated that if you’re currently receiving PIP, your award will not be reduced as a result of this change. However, it clarified that it cannot revisit any decisions made by a tribunal.
How to apply
To enquire, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 6579 and mention that you’re enquiring about the ‘Regulation 27 administrative exercise review’. You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number. You can also reach out to them via post, with all the necessary details available on the GOV.UK website here. Complete information can be accessed on the GOV.UK website here.
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