DWP reviewing millions of PIP claims and looking for ‘five things’

Millions of people on Personal Independence Payment have been warned as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reviews the benefits. The DWP has issued a PIP review update as it looks into new and existing claims.

Labour wants to ensure that PIP remains a fair and fit for purpose benefit in a changing world, amid the ballooning welfare and benefits bill. The Timms Review, named after Cabinet Minister Sir Stephen Timms, is to help disabled individuals achieve “better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment”.

TheLabour Party government said: “To ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work, the Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.

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“The Review will be co-chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sharron Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. The co-chairs will oversee a steering group which will jointly lead the Review.”

The DWP Timms Review will analyse five things:

Access

The Timms Review will look at how the PIP assessment could provide fair access to the right support at the right level across the benefits system.

Assessment

The Timms Review will also analyse the assessment criteria – including activities, descriptors and associated points – to consider whether these effectively capture the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world

Wider support

The Timms Review will also look at what role the assessment could and should play in unlocking wider support to better achieve higher living standards and greater independence

Role of PIP

It will also look at the role of PIP – as the future single gateway to health-related and disability benefits – in enabling disabled people and those with long-term conditions to live independently and fully participate in society.

Further evidence

Whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the functional assessment to fairly reflect the impact of living with a long-term health condition or disability, including related to an individual’s personal circumstances and environment.