About this consultation
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) began replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working age claimants in 2013. PIP, like DLA is intended to provide a contribution towards the extra costs caused by long term health conditions and disabilities. It is not an income replacement benefit, is not means tested, contributory or taxable and is payable to people who are both in and out of work.
In July 2015, the DWP began reassessing all remaining DLA working age claimants for PIP.
The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to complete ten daily living activities and two mobility activities.
Assessors use a series of descriptors to describe a claimant’s ability to carry out each activity.
A review held recently suggested that many people who are likely to have low additional costs are being award the daily living component solely because they may benefit from aids and appliances across a number of activities, despite the relatively low points score awarded for them. Also, items like beds and chairs have been found to count as appliances and this has increased the level of claims significantly.
These developments are believed to be inconsistent with the original policy intent to award claimants with the greatest need.
Therefore, the DWP has decided to consult on how aids and appliances are taken into account when assessing a claimant’s need. They have suggested 5 options which could replace the current system. They are all different and provide different ways of claimants being assessed, and receiving their award.
Response
Before completing this response, SDEF polled its members, made up of individuals, organisations and Access Panels, with a shorter version of this consultation. We also held a consultation event in Stirling on 27 January 2016 with SDEF members and Stirling Access Panel. We have used these to help develop our response.
Full Response
- Personal Independence Payment: aids and appliances (Word Doc)
- Personal Independence Payment: aids and appliances (PDF)
- Personal Independence Payment: aids and appliances (Plain Text)
- Personal Independence Payment: aids and appliances (Audio)
Personal Independence Payment Evaluation: Report
This report examines the experiences of individuals currently claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) regarding the application and assessment processes. In addition to these experiences, the report also explores the views PIP claimants hold concerning the changes to the Daily Living Component to PIP which was the subject of consultation between December 2015 and January 2016. This research was conducted on behalf of Dundee Carers Centre, a charity which helps to support carers and people with disabilities.
