The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January 2023, the number of people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) had risen to more than 3.25 million, including 319,336 living in Scotland. However, that figure does not include the 23,660 Scots now in receipt of Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Processing times for ADP is now at an average of 79 working days, some 16 weeks, but during a debate in Parliament earlier this month, DWP Minister Tom Pursglove MP, announced that the PIP processing time has come down from 16 weeks to 14 weeks, on average. PIP processing times have been as high as 26 weeks (August 2021).
Mr Pursglove has also shared new plans for the PIP service aimed at improving the overall customer experience to make it a more “efficient service for the taxpayer”.
The Minister for Disabled People also said that DWP is “exploring options to re-use evidence we currently hold, removing the need for claimants to upload or re-submit it, and we are reviewing what evidence is relevant to a decision, to enable more accurate data gathering and decision making”.
His comments came in a written response to Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse, who asked about plans to improve the PIP application process.
Mr Pursglove explained that the PIP application process is kept under “continual review to ensure it meets the needs of claimants” and “helps the department reach an accurate assessment of an individual’s entitlement”.
He continued: “Since PIP was introduced, we have introduced a range of accessibility improvements such as the Video Relay Service and Relay UK, improved the clarity of the PIP2 questionnaire to make it easier to complete, expanded the assessment methods to include video and telephone, and introduced recording by request for telephone and face-to-face appointments.
“Claimants are also kept informed and updated at each stage of the application process, including through our improved text message service.”
The Minister also said that alongside these measures, the Health Transformation Programme is transforming the “entire PIP service which will reduce the time it will take to process a claim and create a vastly improved claimant experience and a more efficient service for the taxpayer”.
He added: “We will introduce an option to apply for PIP online, giving claimants a greater choice in how they interact with the DWP and the ability to save, resume and upload medical evidence.”
He went on to explain that a small-scale test is currently in operation of the new ‘online apply service’ with a maximum of 60 new claimants being invited to use the service each day.
Mr Pursglove said: “This approach allows us to develop, test and evaluate the service, exploring and making improvements as we gradually increase its availability.
“We are also exploring options to re-use evidence we currently hold, removing the need for claimants to upload or re-submit it, and we are reviewing what evidence is relevant to a decision, to enable more accurate data gathering and decision making.”
He added: “We will continue to work with disabled people, people with health conditions and their representatives, to reach the important goals set out in the White Paper.”
You can read the full response here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
READ NEXT
- DWP shares three new measures to reduce PIP delays and waiting times for award decisions
New Adult Disability Payment online sample form could help people claim up to £156 each week
People on ADP may be eligible for huge range of benefit top-ups and discounts
People on PIP, Adult Disability Payment or DLA to receive up to £8,983 tax-free this year
New disability benefit can be paid to some people at a daily rate instead of every month
