BENEFITS SHAKE-UP
Major change to PIP assessments for thousands on benefits from this week – see if you’re affected
Plus, watch our video to learn how PIP unlocks £1,000s in freebies
MILLIONS of PIP claimants face a change in how they are assessed for the benefit from this week.
The government has hired new companies to oversee these assessments, which decide whether a claimant is eligible for up to £9,584 a year in cash handouts.
Until last week, Atos (known as IAS) and Capita carried out all personal independence payment (PIP) assessments.
However, as part of a fresh plan to streamline the process of all benefit claimants who require a health assessment, the DWP has issued contracts to providers in whole regions.
Starting this week, assessments are now administered by a single provider based on your area.
While this change won't impact how your PIP claim is assessed, it will mean that you might receive communications from a provider you haven't heard of before.
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Your PIP test provider will now depend on what region in the country you live in:
- Scotland and North England: Maximus UK (previously Atos)
- Midlands and Wales: Capita (previously Capita)
- South West England: Serco (previously Atos)
- South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus (previously Atos)
- Northern Ireland: Capita (previously Capita)
In addition, a small number of assessments are now done directly by the DWP.
If you've recently launched a claim for PIP and are waiting to hear back about an assessment, the DWP will send you a letter explaining your provider.
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If you recently received a letter from your previous provider with an appointment date after September 7, it will be with your new provider.
You should follow the instructions in your letter and attend your appointment as usual.
If you have lost your letter or are unsure who your provider is, you can check our map above or visit gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider.
What is PIP?
HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP).
As standard, to qualify for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you have had difficulties with daily living or getting around.
You must also expect these difficulties to continue for at least 12 months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
PIP has two parts, both of which are assessed separately.
Whether you get one or both depends on how severely your condition affects you.
If you need help getting out or moving around, you may qualify for the mobility part of PIP.
The weekly rate is either £28.70 or £75.75.
The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £72.65 or £105.55.
You could get up to £184.30 a week if you qualify for both components.
If you need to discuss the details of your appointment or need to enquire about changing times, you'll need to contact your assessment provider directly:
- For Maximus UK visit haas.maximusuk.co.uk or call 0800 008 3073
- For Capita visit haas.capita.co.uk/en or call 0808 178 8114
- For Serco visit haas-serco.co.uk or call 0800 008 3074
- For Ingeus visit haas.ingeus.co.uk or call 0800 008 3075
SIMPLIFYING THE SYSTEM
The Department for Work and Pensions has shaken up the outsourcing of benefit assessments to streamline the system.
From a claimant's point of view, there is virtually no difference in the experience of being assessed for benefits.
But you may have to contact a different provider than before, as detailed above.
However, the DWP now has better control over training, software, and guidance, which will allow it to roll out bigger changes in the future.
It's not just PIP assessments affected either. The same provider will also now administer all other health-related benefits assessments in those locations too.
This includes work capability assessments (WCAs), which entitle those claiming Universal Credit and employment and support allowance to a payment boost.
The previous Conservative government planned to scrap WCAs, which give Universal Credit recipients limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments worth up to £416 a month.
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Instead, it proposed introducing a new Universal Credit 'Health Element', where a claimant's eligibility would be based on PIP assessments instead.
While the new Labour government hasn't confirmed whether it will implement these plans, the shake-up from this week would make it easier, with all assessments now administered by one provider in each region.
What is
UNIVERSAL Credit's limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) is a component designed to provide additional financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a health condition or disability.
Individuals can get £416.19 a month if they satisfy the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and are found to have LCWRA.
This extra amount is intended to help cover extra costs associated with their condition and to acknowledge that claimants are not required to seek work.
However, you won't get this if you earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage.
This is unless you also receive disability living allowance (DLA), PIP, or adult disability payment (ADP) in Scotland.
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