Significant reforms to the disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process will take shape next month, heralding a new era for claimants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, Scottish claimants of PIP will remain untouched by these changes due to an ongoing shift from DWP benefits to Social Security Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment (ADP), expected to be completed before the close of next year, , as reported by the Daily Record.
These changes form part of the Health Transformation programme which is set to introduce a unified “single assessment” method for all benefits that use a functional health evaluation. This sweeping change will cover assessments for PIP as well as Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
In place of the current system, the new Functional Assessment Services contracts mean a singular external provider will perform both types of evaluations within each designated UK region.
Industry insights from the Benefits and Work forum reveal that currently WCAs are managed by Maximus while PIP assessments fall to firms such as Atos – also known under the banner of IAS – and Capita. Nevertheless, as of September, a reshuffling will occur; different companies will take on these assessment roles after securing contracts for their respective regions last year.
These freshly assigned contracts are slated for operation from 2024 through to 2029, reports the Mirror.
For those expecting a PIP or WCA assessment starting this September, here are the companies set to manage them:
- Scotland and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)
- Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
- South West England: Serco (currently Atos)
- South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently Atos)
- Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita).
The changes shouldn’t significantly impact the process, as companies must still follow DWP guidance when conducting assessments.
According to contracts analysed by the Disability News Service, claimants must not face longer than a 90-minute trip via public transport to attend face-to-face assessments, with venues mandatorily situated on the ground floor unless a different arrangement is agreed with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The assessments for Work Capability Assessments (WCA) and specialist benefits will be carried out at DWP sites; however, companies are now permitted to conduct PIP analyses in alternative locations. Notably, claimants retain the right to bring along a “companion” who may present evidence during their evaluation.
Moreover, stringent professional standards are set for the assessors: only occupational therapists, nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors can conduct these evaluations. In the case of PIP assessments, though, paramedics also join the pool of professionals allowed.
Home assessments can be done by “doctors or physiotherapists” experienced in compiling clerical reports.
Furthermore, the companies involved are expected to exhibit the “highest standards of ethical behaviour and professionalism”, maintaining “respect and integrity” in all transparency-related matters.
