DWP PIP claimants will be asked to detail disability costs as Labour plans reforms

A new DWP survey is to carry out a new survey of PIP claimants "to understand their disability needs"
-Credit: (Image: scu)


People claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are to be asked to provide information on the extra costs of their disabilities in a new survey by the government. Recent proposals to overhaul the benefit included controversial suggestions to replace PIP's cash payments of up to £737 a month with vouchers and grants.

Labour has indicated it won't be proceeding with those plans, which were put forward under the Conservatives, and will set out its own disability benefit changes next year. Disability equality charity Scope welcomed the news that the "dangerous" proposals for vouchers appear to have been scrapped but says urgent reforms of PIP are needed.

PIP is designed to "help with extra living costs" if you have a long-term physical or mental condition or disability and experience difficulty carrying out everyday tasks or getting around. But, at present, no assessment is made of what these extra expenses are, with claimants instead being assessed only on how their health affects activities such as preparing a meal, bathing, getting dressed and socialising.

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Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, says the Department is now conducting a new survey of PIP claimants to learn more about their disability needs and expenses. The study, which will look at the reasons people require financial support from PIP payments, comes ahead of new reforms to disability benefits that are due to be announced in spring 2025.

The minister shared news of the survey following a written question by Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour, Poole), who asked what assessment the new Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, had made of the "adequacy of Personal Independence Payments at supporting the extra costs of disability."

In response to the question, Sir Stephen said: "Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution to the extra costs that may arise from a disability or health condition. There is no objective way of deciding what an adequate level of PIP should be, as everyone has different requirements reflecting their own circumstances and priorities.

"PIP is a non-contributory, non-means-tested, additional-cost benefit and can be worth over £9,500 a year, tax-free. Individuals can choose how to use the benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences. The benefit can also be paid in addition to any other financial or practical support someone may be entitled to such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, NHS services, free prescriptions, help with travel costs to appointments or the Blue Badge scheme. The benefits have been consistently uprated in line with inflation since they were introduced and were, like other benefits, increased by 6.7 per cent from April 8, 2024.

"DWP pays close attention to the evidence base on the extra costs faced by disabled people; including academic research, analysis by Scope, and DWP's own commissioned research on the Uses of Health and Disability Benefits from 2019. In order to understand more, DWP is now undertaking a new survey of Personal Independence Payment customers to understand more about their disability-related needs. This project has an advisory group of experts including representatives of the disability charity Scope and academic experts."

In some other countries, specific costs are taken into account when deciding how much a person will receive in disability benefits, as outlined in the previous green paper to reform PIP. In New Zealand, the amount of disability allowance paid is based on actual extra costs that are verified by the person's health practitioner, and these can include clothing, counselling, medical alarms, gym/swimming pool fees, energy/heating, special foods and prescriptions. All costs must have relevant evidence provided in the form of receipts, tickets and bills.

In Norway, claimants must provide a letter from their GP outlining the nature of their condition and the associated extra costs. Receipts may also be required. A person must face additional expenses for up to three years and can receive financial support for a range of things including the costs of disability equipment, transport, special diets, clothing, bedding and shoes. This evidence is reviewed by a doctor contracted to the Norwegian equivalent of the DWP who makes the final decision on entitlement.

The system in Sweden provides a monthly cash payment at one of three rates for people who have additional expenses incurred due to their disability that go beyond what is expected for people of the same age. These costs cover a wide range divided into seven categories: health, medicines and foods; wear and tear and cleaning; travel; assistive devices; assistance in daily life; housing; or other purposes that do not meet the above criteria.

To apply for the equivalent of PIP in Sweden, people must complete an online form and calculate their extra costs before sending in a medical statement describing their disability. Costs can be calculated online using information provided by the Social Security Insurance Agency. The form is assessed to ensure costs are associated with the disability, go beyond what is expected in non-disabled people of the same age, and are reasonable and fair.

Disability equality charity Scope has said that current PIP payments in the UK are not enough to cover costs. David Southgate, policy manager for Scope, said: "Life costs more if you are disabled. Scope research shows that these costs add up to on average £1,010 a month for disabled people to have the same standard of living. The low amount that PIP provides doesn't go far enough as it is."

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