The UK Government has dismissed a new online petition calling for a full review into the way the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administers Personal Independence Payment (PIP), specifically the role independent assessors play in the application process. The petition has received nearly 15,000 signatures of support so far, passing the threshold of 10,000 which has resulted in an official response from the DWP.
The ‘Full review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application process’ petition was created and posted on the official petitions-parliament website by Keely, a disability advocate who uses TikTok to raise awareness to more than 17,500 followers.
However, she’s not the only one trying to instigate change - Disability News Service, run by John Pring, a disabled journalist who has been reporting on disability issues for nearly 25 years, has been campaigning strongly against these assessments for more than 12 years.
The petition states: “We want the [UK] Government to conduct a full review of the PIP process. This should look at DWP policy and the performance of ATOS and Capita, which conduct the health assessments for applicants.
“We believe the current process is inherently unethical and biased, and needs a complete overhaul.”
It continues: “We believe that the Personal Independence Payment application and assessment process is inhumane and degrading. We believe Capita and Atos are not fit for purpose to be contracted as independent assessors, and that this leads to many people being unfairly denied benefits.”
In a response at the start of November, DWP said: “While Government has no plans to review PIP, following the Shaping Future Support Green Paper we will publish a White Paper on better meeting needs of disabled people and those with health conditions.”
The DWP went on to give much more detail, stating: "In response to two independent reviews carried out in November 2015 and April 2017 and a Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry in January 2018, we have already delivered a number of improvements.
"These include improvements to the customer journey, our communications, the assessment and our decision making. In addition, we have improved our support for our most vulnerable customers.
“The Government has no plans to carry out a full review of PIP.”
DWP continued: “However, we continue to review our benefit processes and procedures, most recently, for example, publishing, Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper, in 2021.
“This explored how the benefits system can better meet the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions to build a system that enables people to live independently and move into work where possible. We received over 4,500 responses to the public consultation, and we are grateful to all the individuals and organisations who contributed.”
DWP also said that both PIP assessment providers, Capita and Independent Assessment Services (IAS), “strive to provide excellent service to claimants” and are held to account for their performance.”
You can read the full response to the petition online here.
The petition will remain open until February 15, 2023 - at 100,000 signatures the topic would be considered for debate in Parliament.
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