The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is testing the new digital application process for the disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The DWP says the online service is currently only being offered to 60 new claimants each day who call the PIP phone line to start their application.
The Government department confirmed that it was a "small-scale test" of the new online application process for PIP.
At the beginning of February, the DWP announced that it was going to trial a new digital form for PIP and the update was shared by DWP Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove MP, in a written response to Labour MP, Seema Malhotra.
He also shared details of people most-likely to be invited to complete their application using the online service as the trial grows.
The DWP minister said: “We are currently operating a small-scale test of the new online apply service for PIP as a limited service, initially offering it to a small number of claimants who call the phone line to begin their claim for PIP.
"Currently, we are offering the service to 60 claimants a day. Call agents offer the voluntary option to claim online to claimants within scope of the current service until the daily limit is met.”
“This approach allows us to build, develop and design the service, exploring and making improvements as we gradually increase its availability.”
Tom Pursglove said the following groups will be incrementally included as the DWP grows the scope of the service:
- anyone applying in an official capacity, such as appointees
- anyone with a Welsh or Northern Ireland postcode
- anyone applying for special rules
- anyone with a previous or existing PIP or DLA claim
- those without a National Insurance number or with a GY or JY postcode
The minister has previously shared that the DWP was “modernising health and disability benefit services” and was wanting to create a more “efficient service and a vastly improved claimant experience”.
PIP is given to those with long-term mental or physical health problems or disabilities; around three million people currently claim it in the UK.
If eligible to claim, the amount you get depends on how your condition affects your daily life.
The disability benefit, first introduced in 2013, is made up of two components - a daily living rate and a mobility rate - and you can be entitled to both or just one of these.
In April, the amount you get from PIP will increase and the rates will be:
Daily living component
- Standard weekly rate - £68.10
- Enhanced weekly rate - £101.75
Mobility component
- Standard weekly rate - £26.90
- Enhanced weekly rate - £71
