Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

PIP Application Process

Monday 11 November 2024 · 3 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

  • Ian Roome raised concerns about the adequacy and accessibility of the PIP application process for a constituent with severe disabilities.
  • The Minister acknowledged the need for the PIP process to be accessible and offered to help if provided with more details about specific cases.
  • Debbie Abrahams questioned the process after reports of a blind woman with complex needs undergoing a PIP assessment over the phone, raising concerns about accessibility and humiliation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the adequacy of the PIP application process, particularly for individuals with severe disabilities.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the personal independence payment application process?

Answer from Stephen Timms

The hon. Gentleman raises a very fair point. It is, of course, important that we keep the awards under review, because sometimes they go up as well as down and we want to ensure that the support being provided is appropriate for the claimant. We also need to ensure that the process is accessible—I agree with him about that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for an assessment of adequacy was not addressed directly.

How: Under Review, Looking At Further Potential Improvements

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Q2 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent of the MP has a sight impairment and is unable to use a phone or fill out forms. The question arises due to scheduled PIP reassessments for people with severe disabilities.

Question

One of my constituents in receipt of PIP is sight-impaired, deaf-blind registered and cannot use a phone or fill out forms. Can the Minister tell me why PIP reassessments are being scheduled for people with incurable disabilities and terminal illnesses?

Answer from Stephen Timms

We need to ensure that the process is accessible—I agree with him about that. Help can be provided to manage the assessment process. If he would like to send me more details about his constituent, I would be glad to see what we can do to help.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of scheduling reassessments for incurable disabilities was not directly addressed.

How: Accessible Process, Providing Help

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Q3 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A Sunday paper reported a case of a blind woman with additional complex needs undergoing a phone-based PIP assessment, which was approved but later questioned.

Question

Yesterday, it was reported that a blind woman with complex needs had her PIP assessment over the phone, which was approved, but then sent a letter to confirm. The charity Sense says over half feel humiliated by the process. Will he expand on what changes are being made?

Answer from Stephen Timms

We will continue to look at this issue. I am not familiar with the case that she refers to, but I will dig out the details. Clearly, it is vital that the process should be accessible to people with sight impairments or any other impairments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific changes being made were not detailed.

How: Continue Looking At Issue, Dig Out Details

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