New PIP update for people due an assessment in-person or over the phone this year
dailyrecord.co.ukNew guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explains how health professionals can now audio record Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments conducted in-person or over the phone.
DWP said it hopes this measure will “remove or reduce the need for claimants to record consultations”. An audio recording of a face-to-face assessment or telephone consultation can be requested by the claimant before the meeting takes place.
DWP guidance on GOV.UK states: “Upon prior request, providers have the facility to audio record telephone and face to face consultations.” It adds that for a face-to-face assessment, the claimant must sign a consent form in which they agree to not use the audio recording for “unlawful purposes” and that at a telephone assessment, consent should be captured verbally on the recording.
It also states: “In some circumstances, claimants may wish to use their own equipment to audio record their consultation. The consent process above should be followed.” The guidance also says that health professionals must “publicise these conditions and include them in communications sent to claimants before they attend a consultation”.DWP states that video recording of consultations is not permitted to ensure “the safety and privacy of staff and other claimants”.It's important to note that new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment.
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