DWP issues NEW update over 'assessment process' for people who claim PIP

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) update has been issued for people who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and suffer certain conditions. The DWP has clarified support available to PIP claimants who need an assessment.

Labour Party MP Sir Stephen Timms said: "Health assessments are designed to treat all individuals with health conditions and impairments fairly. The assessment criteria take account of the impact of all impairments on an individual’s ability to carry out a broad range of everyday activities.

"As part of the functional health assessment process, the feasibility of a paper-based assessment will always be considered in the first instance for all cases. Health professionals (HPs) may contact GPs, any named specialist medical professionals or the claimant if they need more information to undertake a paper-based review.

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"In the circumstances that a paper-based review is not possible the claimant will be invited to an assessment. Before an invitation to assessment is sent, consideration will be given to claimants who need a specific assessment channel due to their health condition or circumstances.

"Companions are encouraged to attend and can play an active role during the assessment. This is helpful for claimants with mental, cognitive, or intellectual impairments who may not be able to provide an accurate account of their condition, due to a lack of understanding or unrealistic expectations of their ability.

"Companions can join the telephony assessment, as they would have for a face-to-face assessment. All assessment suppliers have introduced the capacity for four-way calls for assessments. This means the claimant and the HP can be joined by a companion or advocate as well as an interpreter if required.

"This gives claimants the opportunity to have the appropriate support during a remote assessment." It came after an MP reached out "to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the equality of the consideration given in the assessment process for (a) Personal Independence Payments and (b) other disability benefits to (i) neurological, (ii) physical and (iii) psychological conditions."