Separate organisations currently run assessments for Personal
Independence Payment (PIP) and the Work Capability Assessments in
Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit, using
different IT systems. The new system will deliver all assessments
using a single digital platform, developed and run by the DWP.
The new system, which will be launched in a region to be
confirmed in due course, will mean that people in receipt of more
than one benefit will not have to provide the same information
multiple times.
Minister for Disabled People, said:
We are committed to providing the best possible support for
people with a disability. That’s why we have listened to
feedback from both charities and claimants to bring all
assessments under one roof.
It’s important we get this right, which is why we’ll trial the
new service on a regional scale before rolling it out
nationally.
These changes show that we are moving in the right direction
and the planned Green Paper will go further as we continue to
improve the experience for people with long-term health
conditions and disabilities.
The new service will be developed initially from 2021 before a
national rollout, to ensure high quality and consistent support.
The announcement provides the next steps on a commitment made in
2019 on exploring ways of improving support for disabled people,
including reducing the need for face to face assessments and
eliminating the need to supply the same information more than
once; increasing people’s understanding and confidence in the
benefits system.
Later in the year the Government will launch its national
disability strategy to increase inclusivity in all spheres of
life for disabled people.
The Minister for Disabled People’s statement to Parliament can be
found here.
This single service will deliver the assessments for PIP and also
the Work Capability Assessments in Employment and Support
Allowance and Universal Credit.
