The Department for Work and Pensions is concluding a Personal Independence Payments (PIP) consultation today. The DWP might eliminate cash payments for PIP users and substitute them with a voucher program or a catalogue process.
PIP is an essential support provided for almost four million British citizens, providing additional funds for living expenses to those with impairments and long-term health conditions.
DWP Proposes Controversial PIP Reforms Amid Concerns for Vulnerable Citizens
Under reforms planned by the previous government to combat the “sick note culture,” the growing number of people unable to work due to bad health may see their payments cut or converted into vouchers for disability equipment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is directing these proposed revisions for claimants in England and Wales, but disability groups are concerned about the impact of losing PIP on vulnerable people. These payments can total up to £434.20 per month for those with the most severe mobility and handicap concerns.
The consultation was initiated by the former government, the Conservative Party, and will conclude on Tuesday, July 23. According to the government website, the consultation's primary purpose is to “seek views on the approaches government should consider around modernising the welfare system for people with disabilities and health conditions.”
DWP Seeks Public Input on Proposed PIP System Changes
You can fill out the DWP online survey to provide feedback on the recommended modifications to the PIP system. If you are not comfortable filling out the form or only have a few concerns, please contact consultation.modernisingsupport@DWP.GOV.UK.
This email is also suitable to send any questions you have about the consultation. The DWP clarifies: “In this Green Paper, we will consider whether we should make fundamental changes to the way we provide support to disabled people and people with health conditions. We want to hear how the welfare system could be redesigned to better direct financial support to people with the highest costs, or to improve provision of other forms of support such as access to healthcare.
“This consultation also aims to consider where there are opportunities to join up services in local communities, aiming to enhance the support offered to better meet the needs of disabled people than the current system. We would like to consider how we could better align the support offered by PIP with local NHS health and social care provision, to provide better support for disabled people.
“Engagement with disabled people, people with health conditions, and their representatives is essential to the development of future policies and will inform the Government’s next steps. We welcome all views during the period of consultation.”