PIP fears over plans to replace regular £737 payments with vouchers

There are concerns that replacing Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with alternatives like a voucher scheme would strip claimants of their independence and dignity. Proposals emerged in June under the former Conservative Government, suggested "other ways of supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions apart from providing regular cash payments".

Among the options put forward for public consultation were vouchers to help cover "specific costs" such as equipment, aids, and services. The new Labour Government has previously indicated it would not respond to the consultation.

However, MPs who are against the PIP changes worry that ministers have not officially ditched the proposal. An early day motion, supported by 17 MPs so far, expresses fears that moving to a voucher system would "significantly reduce the autonomy of disabled claimants".

This motion, which may be brought before Parliament for debate, urges the Government to recognise that "replacing cash with vouchers would undermine the independence of disabled people and could not adequately meet their diverse needs". It also calls on ministers to consult with disabled individuals and their families to ensure any reforms to the benefits system cater to their needs "without undermining their rights to autonomy and dignity".

The motion has garnered the support of 15 Liberal Democrat MPs, alongside others from the Democratic Unionist Party, the Green Party and the SNP. You can read the motion in full here.

The previous proposals set out other options to direct PIP payments, including a catalogue/shop approach offering a list of discounted items. Two other ideas were put on the table, with a receipt-based plan with claimants showing proof of purchase to be reimbursed for their costs, and one-off grants for costly necessities like home modifications, with people having to provide medical evidence they needed the changes.

Replying to a question in Parliament about the consultation, Labour minister Sir Stephen Timms remarked: "We do not intend to publish a response to the previous Government’s consultation." Turning to Labour's plans, he said: "We will be considering our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do."

PIP is designed to assist individuals who live with long-standing health conditions or disabilities. Payments comprise two components: one for daily living and another for mobility, with a lower and higher rate depending on the claimant's needs.

These are the current weekly PIP payment rates:

Mobility

• Lower - £28.70
• Higher - £75.75

Daily living

• Lower - £72.65
• Higher - £108.55

The benefit is paid in four-weekly instalments, so if you are on the highest amount, you would get £737.20 each pay period.

The DWP has been contacted for comment.