PIP and Universal Credit - see how changes will affect people in Leicestershire
People claiming benefits across Leicester, Leicestershire and the rest of the country are set to experience a major overhaul of benefits assessments following an announcement by the Government. Our map reveals how things will change where you live.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is altering the method for conducting assessments for claims such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and other benefits.
The department has confirmed the start date for when assessments in any specific region will be conducted by the same company on behalf of the DWP. This new service will continue until 2029, at which point a new nationwide assessment service is expected to be launched.
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Individuals claiming PIP usually need to undergo a health assessment where they are awarded points to determine the level of payment they will receive, based on how their disability impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks and move around. Those on Universal Credit and ESA must attend a work capability assessment if they claim they are too ill to work.
These are now undergoing major changes after new contracts were awarded, assigning responsibility for all assessments in any given region to the same company. It's the initial step towards the introduction of a new nationwide Health Assessment Service in five years.
LeicestershireLive spoke to parent Annie Bannister, from Great Glen, about the changes. She said: "Are the changes to PIP definitely happening? I took part in the consultation but, what with having a new government, I wasn't sure what was actually going to happen.
"The enforced migration to UC might affect [my son]. In theory, those who are forced to migrate will get extra cash so they are not worse off. But those who migrate due to a change in circumstances won't get this extra and will be quite a bit worse off than they are on ESA.
"With [my son] looking at supported living within the next year, that would be a natural change in circumstances and so he wouldn't get the top-up cash. It's leaving me trying to decide what to do - put off supported living indefinitely or accept that he will financially miss out."
The new health assessment provider for the Midlands is Capita, and the government website notes the new service commenced on Saturday September 7. Claimants are encouraged to follow the instructions in their appointment letter.
Midlands and Wales
For those in these areas, their new health assessment provider is Capita. Midlands and Wales includes all the following postcodes:
B (except B14, B17, B19 and B78 which have PIP assessments provided by DWP), CH1, CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, CH8, CF, CV, DE, DY, GL16, HR, LD, LE, LL, LN, NG, NN, NP, PE, SA, ST, SY, TF, WR, WS and WV.
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