DWP PIP claimants issued NEW update on 'scrapping' cash for vouchers

The DWP session could reveal the fate of PIP cash payments under the new Labour Party government.

A major update is set to be issued by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) over the possibility of SCRAPPING cash Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in favour of a voucher or catalogue based system. The DWP session could reveal the fate of PIP cash payments under the new Labour Party government.

The DWP is expected to respond to the consultation on the health and disability green paper - which outlined plans to reform the benefits system - in the coming weeks. It follows months of anxiety for PIP claimants who fear the Labour Party government could axe cash, under a system first mooted by the Tories.

The Commons update will come next week during the first DWP oral sessions of the month. In a written reply to Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy's question about whether the DWP intends to "reform or replace" the Work Capability Assessment, Sir Stephen Timms confirmed that the government is "committed to reforming or replacing the Work Capability Assessment, alongside putting in place a proper plan to support disabled people into work".

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He said: "We will also give disabled people the confidence to start working without fear of an immediate benefit reassessment if it does not work out. More disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve."

"These plans are central to our missions of kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity." Mr Timms added: "This government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of all that we do."

A green paper explored potential alternatives to PIP cash payments, including replacing them with a catalogue/ shop scheme, voucher scheme, a receipt-based system or even one-off grants. The green paper was set up by the Conservative Party earlier this year.