<p>We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. Reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the department, and we are working constantly to make improvements to our service.</p><p> </p><p>We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all the available evidence, including that from the claimant.</p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to see an improvement in PIP clearance times, with the latest statistics showing that the average end-to-end journey has reduced each quarter from 26 weeks in August 2021, to 16 weeks at the end of October 2022. This is because we are:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Using a blend of phone, video and face-to-face assessments to support customers and deliver a more efficient and user-centred service;</li><li>Increasing case manager and assessment provider health professional resource; and</li><li>Prioritising new claims, whilst safeguarding claimants awaiting award reviews, who have returned their information as required, to ensure their payments continue until their review can be completed.</li></ul><p> </p>