Latest update on DWP plans to swap PIP payments for vouchers
A new update has been issued on plans by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to swap Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cash payments for vouchers as part of welfare reform.
More than 16,000 people responded to an online consultation about the proposals with feedback decidedly "mixed" and even "consistently negative" in some cases, the DWP admits. The government department says it has taken note of the public's reaction to the proposed reforms, which suggested alternatives to cash payments such as vouchers, one-off grants, a receipt-based system, or selecting support aids from a catalogue.
It comes as the number of PIP claimants has reached an all-time high, with more than 3.6 million people across the UK currently receiving up to £737.20 per month. Chris Law, of the SNP, pressed the DWP for clarity on whether the UK Government plans to implement the proposals outlined in the 'Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper'.
READ MORE: DWP issues new PIP change that will affect thousands of assessments
The document, released by the previous Conservative leadership in April, explores potential welfare system changes, including replacing direct PIP cash payments with other forms of support. It also considers revising PIP eligibility criteria, overhauling assessment processes, and transferring some PIP costs to the NHS and local authorities.
In his written response Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disabilities, provided insight into the consultation process that concluded on July 22 and attracted more than 16,000 submissions in its 12-week duration, reports the Daily Record.
He said: "This demonstrates the depth of feeling about the previous government's proposals. I thank the British public, as well as the numerous charities and organisations who responded on behalf of their members, for the time and effort taken to share their thoughts and views.
"Whilst engaging with responses I can confirm that responses to the set of proposals on the reform of Personal Independence Payments was mixed and for some proposals consistently negative."
Mr Timms added: "We will be setting out our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do."
Parliament is in recess until Monday, October 7, due to party conference season. However that is also the date scheduled for the next DWP oral questions session in the House of Lords.
This will be the first time the new ministerial team, led by Liz Kendall, will face questions from opposition benches and could provide millions of PIP claimants with an update on the proposals within the green paper.
Alternatives to regular PIP cash payments
The green paper explains if the DWP were to consider other ways of supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, apart from providing regular cash payments, it could continue to contribute to people's extra costs through alternative models.
These include:
Catalogue/shop scheme: in this kind of scheme there would be an approved list from which disabled people could choose items at reduced or no cost. This would likely work better for equipment and aids rather than for services.
Voucher scheme: in this kind of scheme disabled people could receive vouchers to contribute towards specific costs. It could work for both equipment/aids and for services.
A receipt-based system: this would involve claimants buying aids, appliances, or services themselves and then providing proof of their purchase to claim back a contribution towards the cost. This could work in a similar way to access to work, which provides grants for equipment, adaptations, and other costs to help disabled people to start and stay in work.
One-off grants: these could contribute towards specific, significant costs such as for home adaptations or expensive equipment. It could involve a person supplying medical evidence of their condition to demonstrate the need for equipment or adaptations.