DWP testing new Severe Disability Group to make it simpler for people to access certain benefits
dailyrecord.co.ukThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared details of possible changes to face-to-face assessments and reassessment reviews for people with severe and lifelong health conditions claiming disability benefits.
Earlier this week, Labour MP Cat Smith, asked the DWP if it would “remove the requirement for people with lifelong conditions to undergo repeat Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments.” In a written response, Minister for Disabled People, Chloe Smith MP, said: “Entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself.
Award rates and their durations are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing.” Ms Smith also explained how disability benefit award reviews allow for the “correct rate of PIP to remain in payment, including where needs have increased as a consequence of a congenital, degenerative or progressive condition”.
She continued: “We announced in the Shaping Future Support: Health and Disability Green Paper that we will test a new Severe Disability Group (SDG) so that those with severe and lifelong conditions can benefit from a simplified process to access PIP, ESA [Employment and Support Allowance] and UC [Universal Credit] without needing to go through a face-to-face assessment or frequent reassessments. “We will consider the test results once complete to influence thinking on the next stages of this work.”The Health and Disability Green Paper explores how the welfare system can better meet the needs of disabled people and people with health conditions now and in the future, enabling people to live
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