Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments have changed in their strategy, as it is implemented in September 2024. The DWP stated during contract bidding for regional evaluations last year that the agreements would affect from 2024 to 2029.
PIP Assessments DWP Changes
For those residing in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from September, the manner tests for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) are administered will change.
Those living in Scotland already on PIP are due to move from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) before the End of Next Year; they are not impacted by the PIP Assessments DWP Changes.
The Benefits and Work forum claims that Maximus and PIP evaluations by Atos (formerly known as IAS) and Capita handle WCAs; Atos has a bigger portion of the PIP contracts. The DWP confirmed last year, during contract bidding for regional assessments, that contracts covering 2024 to 2029 will be in place.
PIP Assessment Rule Change
A change in regulations means some individuals claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be due thousands of pounds. PIP is a benefit for those under the State Pension age who need additional assistance and support because of a long-term disability, medical condition, or sickness.
Those claiming PIP may need professional care, like that provided by a skilled caregiver at home. Two components make PIP: mobility and everyday life. The daily life component evaluation criteria underwent a recent revision concerning the meaning of “social support.”
Some applicants therefore either obtained a smaller number or did not qualify at all as they did not get points where they should have. Now, 284,000 PIP applicants have been asked to contact the DWP should they suspect they might have been affected.
Nearly 14,000 arrears have been paid at £74 million total. This comes out on average at £5,285 per person. This exact amount per individual will vary depending on the PIP components you get and the period of PIP you have obtained.
Who is affected by the PIP Assessments Changes?
This change in the rules solely affects a person’s evaluation of the PIP component directly relevant to their daily life. Regarding the motion component, it makes no difference.
This regulation change may affect those who did not get the daily living component of PIP in the past or were previously given the standard rate but are now qualified for the upgraded rate.
£72.65 a week is the daily living component level for 2024/2025; the raised rate is £108.55. This comes out at a difference between the two rates of £1,686.80 a year and £35.90 a week, £155.57 a month.
According to Disability Rights UK, the following individuals can be impacted by this legislative amendment:
- Those who routinely meet with a mental health professional would not be able to handle in-person interactions without them.
- Those who need the guidance of friends or relatives with specific knowledge in helping them in social environments to enable them to manage in-person contacts
What does the PIP Assessment Changes mean for people who require care?
The PIP assessment rule change lets you qualify for the standard rate for the component of daily living. On the other hand, if you qualify for the higher rate, you will receive more every week.
Should your need for assistance with the following relate to either one component of daily life or another, you might be qualified:
- Eating and drinking;
- Cooking and preparing food
- Sort medications and any other treatment you need.
- Getting ready and getting naked
- Getting into and off a bed
- Baths and washing
- Using the restroom
- Talking with people
Many times, home care benefits PIP recipients. Should you have lived in England, Scotland, or Wales for at least two of the preceding three years and be under the State Pension age, you might be eligible to claim PIP in conjunction with home care.
DWP PIP Assessments Changes Impacts
A new coordinated plan will change how millions of people who apply for DWP benefits are evaluated:
- The government will show a new method for its contracted evaluation system in a few days. This will greatly change how millions of applications for benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are assessed. From September, the changes will impact the way Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) are handled.
- Three independent private companies now provide these evaluations; Atos and Capita have DWP contracts to do PIP assessments. Maximus’s third business is WCAs, which decide who can get funds for a condition at work.
- It was reported by the Benefits and Work Forum that the DWP confirmed that the contract bidding for regional exams from last year will run from 2024 to 2029. A single review for all benefits is what the government is about to do, though, which is a change.
- DWP confirmed that, out of 521 reviews, 508 PIP light touch reviews were finished without a rating, which is 97% of the whole. There were only three reviews that led to a drop in PIP eligibility. Two of them were lower, and one was refused.
