DWP issues 12 week warning to everyone who claims PIP amid major changes

A 12-week warning has been issued to all Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claimants due to significant changes in entitlements.

The Government is preparing a major overhaul of the benefits system, aiming to reduce PIP expenditure. Over three million Britons currently receive these support payments, which are provided to individuals with conditions necessitating assistance with daily tasks.

However, under proposed changes, some could see their money withdrawn. Some recipients might be offered one-off grants or vouchers instead of cash under the new scheme.

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The Government also suggests that some PIP claimants may benefit more from enhanced access to treatment rather than receiving weekly cash payments. PIP can provide up to £184 per week to cover costs associated with certain conditions, reports Derbyshire Live.

This announcement marks the latest move in the Government's clampdown on the welfare system, following closely behind plans to make it more difficult for employees to take sick leave. A 12-week consultation on these proposals will soon commence, with the public being urged to voice their opinions.

Significant alterations to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system could be implemented after the consultation period concludes at the end of July, though practical application of any changes might take more time. The Government has commented on the possibility of discontinuing cash payments, stating: "We are also considering whether some people receiving PIP who have lower, or no extra costs, may have better outcomes from improved access to treatment and support than from a cash payment."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his concerns about the current state of disability benefits, saying: "It's clear that our disability benefits system isn't working in the way it was intended, and we're determined to reform it to ensure it's sustainable for the future, so we can continue delivering support to those who genuinely need it most."

He further outlined the intentions behind the proposed reforms: "(The plan) marks the next chapter of our welfare reforms and is part of our plan to make the benefits system fairer to the taxpayer, better targeted to individual needs and harder to exploit by those who are trying to game the system."

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