A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to create a fast-track application process for people making a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which would allow NHS staff to decide whether a claimant is entitled to the benefit - without the need for any formal assessment.
Petition creator, Rebecca Tyler-Squires, said the proposal would mean “most decisions about eligibility can be made by health professionals”. The petition has been posted on the official petitions-parliament website and suggests that the system could be improved through a centralised, simple online system.
It states: “Money could be saved as fewer PIP assessors would be needed, as they would only be needed for appeals and applications where the claimant doesn't have a diagnosis through the NHS. Certain NHS teams currently lack the time and resources to supply PIP evidence and a check box would reduce the burden on NHS staff.”
Ms Tyler-Squires adds: “We believe this change would make the application process swifter, easier, accessible, and much more effective.”
The full proposals in the ‘Create fast-track for PIP applications where NHS staff can approve claims’ petition can be viewed online here. The petition closes on December 16, 2023. At 10,000 signatures the UK Government will respond, at 100,000 it would be considered for debate in Parliament.
It’s worth noting that PIP guidance from the Department for work and Pensions (DWP) states: “Entitlement to PIP is not based on an individual’s health condition or disability alone but on how much a long-term health condition or disability impacts an individual’s daily life or mobility.”
DWP recently published details on how the proposed new Health Transformation Programme will change the entire PIP service from finding out about benefits and eligibility through to decision-making and payments. The new strategy also highlights how the programme will make “improvements to existing ways to claim and introduce an optional online service”.
One of the key planned changes is around the frequency of face-to-face assessments. The document states that claimants “will only have a face-to-face assessment if this is the most appropriate method and it may be unnecessary for the customer to have an assessment at all”.
At present, PIP claimants may be invited to attend a consultation in-person, by video call or over the phone. It also states: “The transformed PIP service will deliver a simpler application process for customers with more information and support available to those who need it, including helping them decide whether applying for PIP is right for them.”
DWP will also implement improved evidence gathering to enable the Programme to “better tailor the service to the customer’s circumstances”. The strategy also said that “simplifying and automating the PIP journey and tailoring how the customer is assessed will mean many customers get a decision on their claim much quicker”.
Claimants will be able to apply, upload evidence, track progress and see payment details online. It added: “Communications and notifications will be simpler and easier to understand (and for those on the digital journey, they will be available to receive and submit electronically) so that customers understand their claim decision and how the evidence they provided supported it.”
The Programme is procuring new assessment provider contracts, which will start operating from 2024, five years before the new Health Assessment Service rolls out nationwide from 2029.
You can read the ‘Health Transformation Programme evaluation strategy’ online at GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the outcome of this petition, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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