The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared details of possible changes to face-to-face assessments and reassessment reviews for people with severe and lifelong health conditions claiming disability benefits.
Earlier this week, Labour MP Cat Smith, asked the DWP if it would “remove the requirement for people with lifelong conditions to undergo repeat Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments.”
In a written response, Minister for Disabled People, Chloe Smith MP, said: “Entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself. Award rates and their durations are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing.”
Ms Smith also explained how disability benefit award reviews allow for the “correct rate of PIP to remain in payment, including where needs have increased as a consequence of a congenital, degenerative or progressive condition”.
She continued: “We announced in the Shaping Future Support: Health and Disability Green Paper that we will test a new Severe Disability Group (SDG) so that those with severe and lifelong conditions can benefit from a simplified process to access PIP, ESA [Employment and Support Allowance] and UC [Universal Credit] without needing to go through a face-to-face assessment or frequent reassessments.
“We will consider the test results once complete to influence thinking on the next stages of this work.”
The Health and Disability Green Paper explores how the welfare system can better meet the needs of disabled people and people with health conditions now and in the future, enabling people to live independently and move into work where possible.
How could DWP improve health assessments for PIP and ESA?
As a result of the Green Paper, the DWP is considering how assessments for health benefits can be improved and the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee is urging people on PIP, ESA, and Universal Credit to share their experiences of the process.
In the online survey, which closes on June 1, 2022, the 'How could DWP improve health assessments for PIP and ESA?’, has a list of mixed open and closed questions, offering health benefit claimants the chance to give honest answers using their own words, which they may use when putting questions directly to DWP ministers.
The Committee explains: “This survey is for people who have had an assessment to claim PIP, and/or people who have had a Work Capability Assessment to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or as part of a Universal Credit claim.
“You don’t have to be claiming either benefit at the moment, and you can still fill in the survey if your claim wasn’t successful.”
The Committee also states that if you have had an assessment for another health related benefit that isn't PIP or ESA, such as Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, or you are responding on behalf of an organisation, you can send evidence to the parliamentary inquiry here.
You can complete the survey here.
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