The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently published new proposals to help more disabled people and those with health conditions start, stay and succeed in work. The Health and Disability White Paper was published in March and sets out ways the UK Government plans to transform the entire Personal Independence Payment (PIP) service.
Proposed plans state that the DWP wants to understand whether different assessment methods drive different award outcomes. The Paper states: “We will also be listening to the views and experiences of disabled people, DWP staff and assessment providers via external research. This will ensure an evidence-based approach to reform.”
Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove MP, also recently confirmed that the DWP has started to “test the feasibility” of sharing PIP assessment reports with claimants before a decision is made, allowing them the opportunity to “to clarify evidence” so that DWP can make the “right decision as early as possible”.
In a written response to Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary Vicky Foxcroft MP, Mr Pursglove said: “We have begun to test the feasibility of sharing assessment reports with people before a decision is made. This will offer claimants the opportunity to clarify evidence so that we can make the right decision as early as possible.”
He added: “We will consider findings from this initial testing to determine next steps.”
In a separate query from Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain about assessing the “adequacy of disability benefit assessments”, the DWP Minister said: “Assessment quality is a priority for the department. We work extensively with providers to make improvements to ensure a quality service is delivered.
“An Independent Audit function continually monitors performance and provides feedback to its providers, ensuring a high standard is always maintained.”
The Health and Disability White Paper also confirms that the DWP is evaluating how well telephone and video assessments are working compared to face-to- face assessments.
It states: “This trial will compare award outcomes across channels (face-to-face, telephone and video) for people who are due an initial Work Capability Assessment or PIP assessment, who can use all three channels, and whose assessment is auto booked to one of those channels.”
The Paper continues: “We are progressing a move to an IT system that will have the capability to record all assessments, including telephone and video. Providers will inform people that they have the option of requesting this service.
“People have the option to either request a recording in advance of the health assessment, which we will share with them afterwards, or to record the assessment themselves on a device of their choosing.”
You can read the ‘Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper’ on GOV.UK here.
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