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PIP update as DWP confirms plans for assessment changes

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Sir Stephen Timms has confirmed the DWP’s new approach

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently unveiled plans in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. The plans aim to increase the number of face-to-face assessments for individuals applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or those nearing the end of their payment award due a review.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, confirmed that the DWP is “committed to enabling a multi-channel assessment approach”, with a primary focus on increasing in-person PIP assessments. The DWP will continue to offer consultations via telephone and video calls.

However, he also noted that “the feasibility of a paper-based assessment will always be considered in the first instance, for all cases”. If a paper-based review isn’t possible, the claimant will be invited for an assessment.

In his written response to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan, Sir Stephen added that before sending out an invitation for an assessment, “consideration will be given to claimants who need a specific assessment channel due to their health condition or circumstances”.

Sir Stephen further explained: “Other claimants who can undertake any assessment type will be allocated to the next available appointment; however, this can be changed if the claimant informs us that a reasonable adjustment is appropriate in their circumstances.”, reports the Daily Record.

“The Department audits Functional Assessment Service suppliers to ensure that the correct PIP assessment channel type has been selected for the claimant. This provides assurance that claimants are routed to the most appropriate assessment type.”

In a detailed response to Tory MP Gregory Stafford, Sir Stephen elaborated that the DWP has “set clear requirements on the professions, skills, experience, and training of health professionals (HPs) that assessment suppliers use to carry out assessments” for PIP.

He went on to describe how the Personal Independence Payment Assessment Guide (PIPAG) mandates that all HPs involved in delivering PIP assessments (or any part thereof) must:

  • Be an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic, doctor, pharmacist or by exception, another registered healthcare professional, providing the requirements set out within the PIPAG are met, the individual continues to satisfy quality and probation processes, and only by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP.
  • Be fully registered with the relevant licensing body
  • Have no sanctions attached to registration unless: they relate to disability, or the HP is a doctor who has an approved practice setting (APS) (as defined by the General Medical Council from time to time) requirement on the grounds that they have not had their first revalidation post qualification as a doctor
  • In individual cases, the requirement for HPs not to have any sanction attached to registration may be waived subject to prior written agreement with DWP (no waiver is required in relation to any sanction relating to disability or an APS requirement)
  • Have at least one year’s post full registration experience (this refers to either UK registration or equivalent overseas registration for non-UK HPs) or less than one year’s post full registration experience by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP.
  • Have passed a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level.

    • The anticipated reforms to PIP are scheduled to roll out from November 2026.

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