Seven changes to Universal Credit, ESA and PIP assessments as part of shake-up

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been looking at how it can assess people going forward, after the coronavirus pandemic meant in-person appointments had to be temporarily stopped

Changes to the way benefits like Universal Credit are assessed have been proposed following complaints from claimants.

Under the current rules, people with medical issues who apply for benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit are usually made to attend in-person appointments.

This is typically with a health professional who judges if they’re fit to work.

But some claimants say this causes them unnecessary stress and is repetitive in the case of long-term illnesses.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has since been looking at how it can assess people going forward, after the coronavirus pandemic meant in-person appointments had to be temporarily stopped.

Face-to-face assessments for benefit claimants with illnesses or disabilities returned in May this year.

Before this, all assessments had taken place over the phone following temporary measures that were introduced in March 2020.

Those who apply for Universal Credit for the first time have also been able to have their claim assessed by video call since March 2021.

In its findings of how benefits could be assessed moving forward, the DWP said around a quarter of people are not happy with its current system.

It has now revealed how assessments could change as part of proposals in its Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper.

There will now be a 12-week consultation on the proposals, which closes on October 11, with opportunities for benefit claimants to express their opinions on the changes.

Here are seven changes the DWP has said it is looking into, or has already introduced:

Have you had trouble claiming benefits? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

Medical evidence shared across benefits

The DWP first announced it wanted to create a so-called integrated health assessment service back in 2019.

In a nutshell, this would allow claimants to share medical evidence, with consent, if a person is applying for more than one benefit.

This will mean claimants do not have to provide information more than once.

Assessments recorded to build trust

PIP face-to-face assessments can now be audio-recorded to help build trust, the DWP has said.

Telephone assessments for ESA, UC and PIP are also starting to be recorded at the request of claimants.

Number of video assessments to be increased

The DWP says it is actively exploring how comfortable people would be having assessments done via video call.

Over 750 people have gone through a video assessment as part of a test which ran until the end of March 2021.

The DWP wants to increase this number.

Paper-based assessments instead of face-to-face meetings

To reduce the need for face-to-face assessments, the DWP says it wants to maximise the use of paper-based assessments.

This means a claimant may be able to provide sufficient evidence to allow a paper-based assessment to be carried out.

Full evaluation of telephone assessments

The DWP notes how many people have welcomed telephone assessments, as opposed to having to do a face-to-face interview.

It says a full evaluation of telephone assessments will be undertaken to see if more can be provided.

Number of repeat assessments reduced

People on PIP could see the frequency of repeat assessments reduced.

The DWP says it has ensured that people on the highest level of support whose needs will not improve, and most people over state pension age, receive an ongoing award of PIP with only a “light touch” review at the ten-year point.

DWP wants to reduce appeals

The DWP says it wants to reduce the number of appeals against its decisions and a study of tribunal cases “suggested that better quality evidence needs to be gathered earlier in the decision-making process.”

You can give your views on The Health and Disability Green Paper by taking part in the consultation on Gov.uk here.

The DWP said: “This is better for disabled people and people with health conditions, who often find the appeal process difficult and stressful.

“It is also more affordable for the Department because it means less money is spent on appeals.”