Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Personal Independence Payments: Application Process

Monday 24 April 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department offers support for vulnerable claimants, including referral to visiting officers and forms completion service in exceptional cases.
  • The Government aims to reduce assessment burdens and improve quality decision making through reforms introduced in the White Paper.
  • The Department is digitalising the personal independence payment journey to provide better signposting within processes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Pawsey Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The health transformation programme is modernising the personal independence payment service, including the application process. However, a constituent faced difficulties completing his form despite assistance from friends and organisations like Citizens Advice.

Question

What steps has the Department taken to simplify the application process for personal independence payments? My constituent Gary Thacker diagnosed with autism later in life found it difficult to complete his PIP form despite having help. Despite formal methods of assistance, he was unaware of these supports. How is the Department ensuring applicants are aware of available support?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Department offers support according to ability and need, including referral to visiting officers and forms completion service for vulnerable claimants in exceptional cases. The personal independence payment journey is being digitalised to provide greater signposting within processes and towards other supports eligible for people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The digitalisation timeline was not provided, no specific steps were given on how applicants will be made aware of support levels available.

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Q2 Mark Pawsey Con
Benefits & Welfare Mental Health
Context

A survey by the charity Mind and Censuswide found that 66% of people with a mental health issue discovered their experience of the benefits assessment system made their mental health worse. The majority of negative decisions are overturned at tribunal.

Question

The survey found many claimants experienced deterioration in mental health due to the assessment system, despite most appeals being successful. When does the Minister expect improvements in decision making and impact on people's mental health?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Waiting times for PIP claims have decreased considerably compared to pre-pandemic levels. The Government aims to focus on quality decision making through reforms introduced in the White Paper, aiming at reducing assessment burdens and matching conditions with assessors having right expertise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline for improvement was provided.

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Q3 Steve McCabe Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Minister's proposal to collapse the work capability assessment into PIP could lead up to 1 million people to lose out on £350 a month, causing distress and not supporting them in getting back to work.

Question

Why is the Minister proposing to essentially collapse the work capability assessment into the PIP process? This will cause considerable distress for those with fluctuating health conditions or recovering from treatment. Why not adopt Labour's policy of changing WCA rules to offer an “into work guarantee” for those without work requirements?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Government believes scrapping the WCA is right; it responds to feedback showing strong support for this change. People will be transitionally protected, with those currently not claiming PIP potentially entitled to it.

Not addressed: Did not address Labour's policy proposal directly or respond to specific ask about adopting alternative approach.

How: Attack

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Q4 Jon Ashworth Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Department's own report shows that sanctions do not work, yet the Government introduces a new universal credit health element with eligibility through PIP which could be more restrictive than WCA. The in-work progression offer will expose disabled people to sanctions.

Question

Why is the Minister introducing a new universal credit health element and in-work progression offer despite his Department's report showing that sanctions do not work? This will inevitably mean exposure to sanctions for disabled people, causing distress.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Congratulations on your marathon time. The Centre for Social Justice is characterised as a think-tank with common-sense reforms reflecting feedback from disabled people. Over 20% of disabled people could start work in two years; the Government aims to support them constructively, meeting their circumstances and needs.

Not addressed: Did not address Labour's policy proposal directly or respond to specific ask about scrapping sanctions for disabled people.

How: Attack, Congratulation

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Q5 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The health transformation programme is modernising the PIP service, including application process. Despite formal methods of support, a constituent found it difficult to complete his form due to unawareness.

Question

What steps has the Department taken to simplify the application process for personal independence payments? My constituent Gary Thacker diagnosed with autism later in life found it difficult to complete his PIP form despite having help. Despite formal methods of assistance, he was unaware of these supports. How is the Minister's Department ensuring applicants are aware of available support?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Department offers support according to ability and need, including referral to visiting officers and forms completion service for vulnerable claimants in exceptional cases. The personal independence payment journey is being digitalised to provide greater signposting within processes and towards other supports eligible for people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps were provided on how applicants will be made aware of support levels available.

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)