DWP urged to 'stop repeating’ PIP assessments for all disabled people

A new online petition is calling on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to “stop repeating PIP (Personal Independent Payment) assessments for disabled people”. Petition creator Gary Robinson also argues that any decision to end a PIP award should be a “medical decision not a cost-saving exercise”.

The ‘Stop DWP repeating PIP assessments for disabled people’ petition has been posted on the UK Government’s petitions-parliament website. At 10,000 signatures it is entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.

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The petition states: “Stop DWP repeating Personal Independence Payments assessments for disabled people.

“Disabled people need support and respect. We think repeated investigations are dehumanising, and interrogation-like interviews and repeated legal battles to prove entitlements to benefits are distressing.

“People with genuine disabilities have to repeatedly provide Doctors notes, letters and prescription information (sometimes at personal cost) simply to prove their ongoing entitlement. We believe a decision to end entitlement should be a medical decision not a cost-saving exercise.”

You can view the petition online here.

Last month, the DWP confirmed that the application process for PIP is being “kept under review” after Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome asked why “reassessments are being scheduled for people with incurable disabilities and terminal illnesses”. He highlighted how one of his constituents in receipt of PIP is sight-impaired, deaf-blind registered and cannot use a phone or fill out forms.

Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms explained how PIP award reviews are necessary to ensure claimants receive the right amount of financial support. He added: “An online process is being trialled and we are looking at further potential improvements.”

Sir Stephen said: “It is, of course, important that we keep the awards under review, because sometimes they go up as well as down and we want to ensure that the support being provided is appropriate for the claimant. We also need to ensure that the process is accessible - I agree with him about that. Help can be provided to manage the assessment process.”

However, his response was followed up by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, the new chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee, who said that many people are left “humiliated” by the process of applying for PIP.

She told MPs: “It was reported in the Sunday papers that a blind woman with additional complex needs had her PIP assessment over the phone, which was approved, but then she was sent a letter to confirm that.

“Sense have said that over half of people that they have surveyed feel humiliated by the process. I know (Sir Stephen Timms) wants to get this right and is very keen, but can he expand a little bit more on the type of things that they’re changing?”

Sir Stephen said the UK Government will “continue to look at” the assessment process, adding: “Clearly, it is absolutely vital that this process should be accessible to people with sight impairments or other impairments as well, and I completely agree with her.”

PIP reviews for claimants in Scotland

New figures published by the DWP show that there are now 3.6 million people across Great Britain in receipt of PIP, including over 80,000 living in Scotland. New claims for PIP have been replaced north of the border by Adult Disability Payment and all existing claimants will move to the devolved benefit by the end of 2025.

If someone due to transfer is coming to the end of their PIP award the review will not be conducted by DWP, and will not take place until after they have moved to the Social Security Scotland system.

Payments will not be interrupted and the claimant does not need to take any action.

New figures from Social Security Scotland indicate there are now 374,655 people in receipt of Adult Disability Payment. Of those, 130,450 (35%) were new applicants and 244,205 (63%) had their award transferred from the DWP.

PIP Assessment Providers

New online guidance enables people due a health assessment to check which provider will conduct their assessment. You can check using your area or postcode on GOV.UK here.

If you are due a PIP assessment or Work Capability Assessment (WCA), it will be conducted by the following company:

• Scotland (WCA only) and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (previously Atos)

• Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (previously Capita)

• South West England: Serco (previously Atos)

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

• Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (previously Capita)

What is a PIP assessment?

The PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you - it's not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. The DWP will take into consideration evidence from the assessment to decide if you should be awarded PIP.

A health professional will carry out your assessment, write a report and send it to the DWP decision maker.

If you are waiting on a review, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your PIP evidence form with you for telephone, video and face-to-face assessments. That way you can refer back to it, especially if it was completed a few years ago.