Major overhaul in PIP assessments set for September

Significant changes are on the horizon for claimants, following the government's announcement in September of major alterations to disability benefits assessments. The government is recruiting new firms to manage a restructured assessment process for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

In the past, individuals would fill out a form and then be evaluated by a healthcare professional. However, under the new system, people can expect to be assessed by a staff member who works across an entire region.

These staff members will either be employees or agency workers for the company, and they will also carry out Work Capability Assessments for ESA and Universal Credit. The government will assign one provider to a region, rather than having multiple assessors.

Several new companies have been enlisted to undertake this role.

All the companies involved

The contracts have been divided by region and awarded to several new companies. At present, there are only five areas, with high demand expected, reports the Daily Star.

The companies involved are:

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

Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

South West England: Serco (currently Atos)

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

Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

Several firms specialising in outsourcing, though not all with a medical background, are set to shake up the sector. Capita has even launched an AI academy to help other businesses master the technology.

What does this mean for the process?

After the news broke, concerns among employees about the future of the process surfaced. The government insists that the process will still comply with DWP guidelines.

Benefit claimants must continue to attend in-person assessments, now conducted by assessors from one of these new companies. These assessments are mandated to be no further than 90 minutes from the claimant's home.

Assessment centres are required to be on the ground floor, making them "easy for all customers to reach." Claimants can also bring someone along for support, which could provide reassurance to workers as their companion might offer evidence to bolster their claim.

The contracts specify that only therapists, nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors are eligible to carry out the assessments, and they don't have to be NHS staff. Paramedics are also cleared to conduct these evaluations.

These shifts occur at a tumultuous time for the DWP, with thousands of PIP claimants currently not receiving their rightful payments. Waiting claimants are expecting an average back-payment of £5,000 each from the DWP.

The department has faced a dispute at the Supreme Court that has led to the implementation of significant reform plans. However, the government remains tight-lipped about any potential future changes.