The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to a petition regarding health assessments for benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The petition, which received almost 27,000 signatures of support, suggests PIP assessments should be based "solely on evidence from medical professionals, such as a letter from a GP or consultant”. Currently, people have to attend health assessments.
A response from the DWP, however, states assessments are necessary to ensure people claiming certain benefits are getting the right amount of support. It indicated that the more relevant information provided from the start of an application, the reduced need for a Health Professional to seek this out at a consultation, in person, over the phone or by video call.
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The Daily Record reports the DWP said: “Whenever it is possible to assess a claimant on the basis of paper evidence alone, we will do so. Increased use of paper assessments is also helping to reduce waiting times.”
DWP goes on to say how it wants to “test a new Severe Disability Group so that some people can benefit from a simplified process without needing to complete a detailed application form or go through an assessment.” It added: “We will work directly with disabled people and people with health conditions to develop and test the approach. This will ensure that it delivers the desired improvements.”
The DWP response to the petition reads: “The Government has no plans to assess eligibility for all disability benefit applications based on medical evidence alone. DWP uses assessments to help determine entitlement for a number of benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP); Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB); Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); and, for those claiming due to a disability or health condition that affects their capability for work, Universal Credit (UC).
“These benefits were designed for specific purposes, be that support with additional costs associated with long-term ill-health or disability; compensation following a work-related accident or illness; or income replacement. Each benefit has its own assessment criteria, to ensure that those who meet the entitlement conditions get the support they are entitled to.”
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