DWP issues 'extremely difficult' new update over scrapping PIP cash

A fresh update over Personal Independence Payments (PIP) has been issued with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) "not ruling out" cash payments being scrapped and replaced with vouchers instead, in a major shake-up.

The DWP could axe PIP payments for grants, one-off payments, a receipt-based system, a catalogue-based system or vouchers, it has been reported, after the Conservative Party set up a green paper trying to explore ways to "modernise" disability benefits.

Now, Labour Party MP Liz Kendall has hinted at a shake-up for the benefit. Discussing the feedback to the consultation, Ms Kendall said: "I was very struck particularly by the comments people made around shifting support to vouchers and where many organisations said their real concern was that it took away people’s autonomy and particularly when services are so stretched and tight.

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"I will be putting forward our own proposals to reform sickness and disability benefits. This is extremely difficult and I know people really want more detail, but we won’t do that until we’re absolutely ready and have had the proper discussions with people."

The "lack of clarity" around the plans for PIP has angered charities and is fuelling "anxiety and confusion among disabled people", David Southgate, from disability equality charity Scope, told Yahoo News. “Changing PIP to vouchers is a dangerous idea which needs to be ruled out once and for all," he told Yahoo News.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, and PIP is a vital source of financial support. It is flawed and does urgently need overhauling, but the government must work with disabled people to make PIP work better for those who rely on it.”

Simon Keenan is one of the 3.4 million disabled people who claim PIP. He said that replacing cash with vouchers is a "foolish and ill thought out".