DWP confirms 'potential changes' to 'modernise' PIP but no review of assessments

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it is looking at "modernising" Personal Independence Payment to improve people's experiences when claiming the disability benefit. But it says it is not currently planning any new changes to the assessment process.

Following plans for an overhaul of PIP announced earlier this year, under the previous government, Labour is considering its own proposals. It's thought these will be unveiled sometime in the spring.

In reply to a question from Charlotte Nichols (Labour, Warrington North) on whether the DWP was looking into "the fairness of PIP assessments", DWP Minister for Social Security and Disabilities Sir Stephen Timms included the following update: "We are exploring potential changes to modernise the PIP service to improve claimants' experience and trust in our services and decisions. We will set out the detail of any changes in due course."

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He stated that no new evaluation was being carried out of the assessments themselves, explaining: "The Department is not currently undertaking a review of the fairness of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments. PIP is designed to treat all claimants fairly, focusing on the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability, rather than the condition itself.

"Individuals can be impacted by their health conditions in different ways, so the PIP assessment considers the needs of each individual claimant against the assessment criteria set out in legislation, regardless of whether those needs relate to a physical or non-physical impairment.

"DWP has set standards for the quality of assessments and closely monitors all aspects of the process including the performance of the assessment suppliers. Our audit process considers the initial review, evidence collection, further evidence provided, and the advice within the assessment report completed by a health professional (HP).

"The check is completed against a set of guidelines to ensure a consistent approach is taken. This ensures that assessment reports are fit for purpose, clinically justified and sound, and provide sufficient information for the department to make an informed decision on entitlement to benefit.

"All assessment suppliers work with the department on plans to continuously improve assessment quality through a range of measures including audit procedures, clinical observations, tailored training and development plans, providing feedback and in the support available to HPs.

"All claimants have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) if they disagree with their PIP decision. If they disagree with the outcome of their MR, they are able to appeal to an independent tribunal."

Some changes have already been made to PIP assessments with Labour allocating them to the same contractor in any given geographical region. This streamlining will eventually lead to the rollout of a new nationwide Health Assessment Service in five years.

In addition, some decisions are being made on scheduled reviews of existing claims without any new health assessment being needed if enough evidence is available. Most assessments are now carried out by phone and those with the most severe conditions, who are on the highest level of PIP support, are given an "ongoing" award with no need for any reassessment except for a "light touch review" every 10 years.

Campaigners have welcomed the DWP's recent changes but say more still needs to be done. David Southgate, Policy Manager for Scope, said: "It’s also important that they put more effort into getting the assessment right and getting disabled people the support they need to live their lives."

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