The DWP is considering making changes to the eligibility process
The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has stated it will “provide an update shortly” on the feedback gathered this summer regarding the proposed review of changes to the eligibility process for Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ).
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, will co-lead the review, taking into account input from disabled individuals, organisations, experts and other stakeholders. Earlier this year, the DWP confirmed that PIP payments will continue to increase annually in line with the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate, which is set to provide a 3.8 per cent uplift for 3.8 million claimants.
However, PIP assessments are anticipated to change, and the eligibility criteria are expected to become more stringent in order to control the rising costs of the non-means-tested disability benefit.
Under the proposals – currently paused until the completion of Timms’ review next Autumn – to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, both new and existing claimants will need to score four points in at least one of the 10 questions – and at least another four (in any combination) across the remaining sections – to qualify for the standard rate, reports the Daily Record.
To assist those who may be unsure about the proposed change, the team of benefits experts at the independent forum Benefits and Work have adjusted their online ‘PIP test’ to include the proposed new scoring system.
It’s crucial to note that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not altered the PIP claims or eligibility process. This is merely an online tool designed to help PIP claimants understand how any changes might impact their award.
Benefits and Work also offers a PIP test in line with the current DWP eligibility policy to assist anyone with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition who is considering making a new claim understand the points scoring system. You can view this version here.
The Benefits and Work website clarifies: “We know from comments and emails that a lot of people are confused about how Labour’s proposed new PIP scoring system works. So we’ve created an online test to allow you to try the scoring system for yourself. You can try the test as many times as you want either anonymously or, if you prefer, provide your email address and get the results sent to your inbox as well as appearing onscreen.”
It’s important to remember that the proposed changes will not affect the mobility component; it will remain the same. There are 10 questions on the daily living part of the PIP 2 evidence form. Each question has a list of responses, known as descriptors, and whichever descriptor you choose is awarded points.
To be eligible for the daily living component, you need a minimum of eight points for the standard rate and 12 or more for the enhanced rate. However, to qualify, you must score at least four in one of those questions.
As Benefits and Work clarified: “If you select 4 descriptors scoring two points each, that will be 8 points but it will not qualify for an award. But if you select one descriptor scoring 4 points and two descriptors scoring 2 points, that will be 8 points and you will qualify for an award.”
You can take the new ‘PIP test’ online here.
The most recent data from the DWP reveals that by the end of July, over 3.8 million people were claiming PIP, which is now valued between £114.8 and £737.20 every four weeks. The daily living component of PIP might be available to you if you require assistance with daily tasks.
The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP will consider the descriptors. Your ability to perform each activity is assessed against a list of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do, known as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity.
The Citizens Advice website features an entire section devoted to this, complete with a downloadable guide detailing all the points allocated for each response – you can access this here.
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