DWP PIP changes as thousands of claimants to be affected by new assessment rules

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major change to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process that will affect thousands of claimants

Thousands of PIP recipients are set to be impacted by new policies. Personal Independence Payment claimants are bracing for an overhaul of the assessment process that could speed up huge delays they are facing.

Jobcentre bosses will now have a greater hand in determining the outcomes of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims. It will mark a significant shift from the traditional method involving healthcare professionals.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated a major recruitment drive for case managers. And Labour says it is designed to tackle the growing backlog of assessments and reviews.

Labour Minister Sir Stephen Timms spoke about the PIP changes during a recent parliamentary session. He confirmed that the system will be speeded up as case managers will now make "decisions on reviews, avoiding the need for a functional assessment."

The change in how PIP assessments are conducted is part of a wider change. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking to speed up the review process.

They are aiming to empower benefits case managers with more discretion to make decisions on PIP. And to do so without needing input from healthcare professionals when there's enough evidence.

The DWP is moving towards either internal or single private provider contracts for regional benefit evaluations throughout England. The aim is to improve efficiency. But the DWP has admitted that it might "take some time" for these new providers to handle the increasing number of necessary assessments. This is particularly with the rise in long-term disability and illness cases.

Currently, around 3.4 million people receive assistance through PIP. It is paid monthly at two different levels: standard and enhanced. The standard rate offers £290 per month for those with qualifying disabilities. The enhanced rate awards £434 per month for individuals with more severe needs.

Claimants are currently facing agonising waits for assessments or reviews for the higher rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with some delays stretching over several months. Social Security and Disability Minister Timms acknowledged the backlog in a written statement, saying: "We continue to prioritise new claims to PIP to ensure claims are put into payment as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this means many customers are waiting longer than expected for their review to be undertaken."

Timms stated that case managers will use their judgement "where sufficient evidence/information is available" - which should lead to claimants receiving "a decision faster" than usual. He also pointed out that most PIP assessments are now carried out through telephone interviews, a strategy aimed at speeding up the process.

Benefits and Work, an advisory forum, has clarified that these changes mean "more PIP reviews but fewer assessments" for applicants. However, they also noted that a DWP pilot earlier this year indicated "the system worked best if consultation with a health professional took place in every case."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revised its procedures to protect individuals with severe illnesses or disabilities from needless assessments. Timms announced: "We've introduced a change for customers with the most severe conditions, on the highest level of support, who now receive an ongoing PIP award which is only subject to a light touch review every 10 years."