Supporting those who need it most? Evaluating Personal Independence Payment

Authors:
REYNOLDS Phil, WETHERLY Laura
Publisher:
Disability Benefits Consortium
Publication year:
2017
Pagination:
32
Place of publication:
London

An examination of how well Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is operating for disabled people and those with long-term conditions, drawing on findings from a survey of 1,730 PIP claimants. DWP statistics and DBC member organisations’ own research and insights have also been pooled to provide the context to these findings. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced in 2013 to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). PIP is a disability benefit that can be claimed regardless of capital, assets or income, by people aged between 16 and 65. It is designed to cover the extra costs that working-aged disabled people and those with long-term conditions face. The study finds that submitting a claim for PIP is extremely difficult and providing supporting evidence is a struggle while the stress and anxiety of undergoing PIP assessments is making people’s conditions worse. The PIP assessment criteria are preventing people from getting the support they need. While gaining access to PIP benefits people significantly, losing access to extra-costs support has damaging consequences. The report also finds that the numbers of PIP claimants seeking to appeal their decisions are increasing exponentially and the majority of these appeals are successful. The report concludes that PIP is not fit for purpose in its current form and requires significant, urgent improvement to restore fairness and disabled people’s confidence in the system. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
disabilities, benefits, disability living allowance, surveys;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
England
Link:
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