New DWP changes to PIP and Work Capability Assessments start this week

Delivery of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) has now changed for claimants living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes do not affect people living in Scotland currently on PIP as they are due to move from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) before the end of next year, however, it may affect those on Universal Credit or other unemployment-related benefits invited to attend a WCA.

The DWP has also published a full list of providers by postcode area to enable claimants to check who their health assessment provider is and how to contact them. The contract change between providers who conduct assessments on behalf of the DWP does not affect the constitution itself, just the delivery.

DWP said: “From 7 September 2024, the providers are changing. You may have received a letter from your previous provider with an appointment date. If this appointment date is after 7 September 2024, it will be with your new provider. You should follow the instructions on your letter and attend your appointment.”

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The new online guidance adds that if you have lost your letter or are unsure who your provider is, you can check using your area or postcode on GOV.UK here.

If you are due a PIP assessment or WCA, it will be conducted by the following company:

• Scotland and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (previously Atos)

• Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (previously Capita)

• South West England: Serco (previously Atos)

• South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (previously Atos)

• Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (previously Capita)

Benefits that may require claimants to attend an assessment:

• Universal Credit - WCA

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - WCA

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - if the assessor needs more information (not Scotland)

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Last year, the DWP announced plans to move to a new telephony platform during 2024 and make enhancements to the Video Assessment application, which would provide the ability to record all disability health benefit consultations. However, the recommendation has not yet been put in place.

If you have a PIP assessment due over the next few months, you can ask for it to be audio recorded, but you need to advise DWP in advance of the consultation date.

A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request found that between the start of this year and the end of June, some 1,192 (1.4%) of PIP assessments were audio-recorded by Capita.

Similarly, the DWP confirmed that 366 (0.17%) PIP assessments were audio-recorded by IAS over the same period.

However, DWP clarified that the data provided is from management information produced by the assessment providers. It added: “This information is collected for internal use only and therefore has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.”

Number of PIP assessments audio-recorded between January and June, 2024:

Capita

• January 2024 - 298 (1.20%)

• February 2024 - 322 (1.37%)

• March 2024 - 323 (1.40%)

• April 2024 - 358 (1.57%)

• May 2024 - 318 (1.42%)

• June 2024 - 293 (1.46%)

• Total - 1,912 (1.4%average)

IAS

• January 2024 - 48 (0.12%)

• February 2024 - 47 (0.13%)

• March 2024 - 41 (0.11%)

• April 2024 - 51 (0.14%)

• May 2024 - 99 (0.27%)

• June 2024 - 80 (0.22%)

• Total - 366 (0.17% average)