PIP claimants may have to provide a 'proof letter' under new reforms issued by the Department of Work and Pensions.
PIP Claimants Required to Provide Evidence for Purchases Under New Reforms
The new receipt-based plan, which could replace DWP cash payments, would include claimants purchasing aids, appliances, or services using their own money.
They, then, would have to provide evidence of their purchases in order to claim a portion of the expense. A similar procedure could be implemented to Access Work, which offers funding for equipment adaptations and other funds to aid disabled people to rejoin the workforce and stay in it.
The green paper includes: “Currently, people are encouraged to send their own evidence such as hospital letters or care plans to support their claim. If further evidence is needed, the assessment provider contacts the GP or hospital via a form for further information.
“But this form is often not returned or contains limited information. With improved digitalisation of the NHS, it now often shares hospital letters by post or through online services with patients, and people now have access to their own health records through the NHS app.
“We would like to know if this access to documentation could be used better as evidence of a health condition or disability to support the assessment for eligibility for PIP.”
DWP PIP Reform Sparks Concerns Over Stigma and Discrimination
The green paper, issued last week amidst a rigorous crackdown from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on benefits, has stirred significant attention and debate amongst claimants.
In response to the move, one said: “There are so many scams going on from Foreign sources and it would be too difficult and too much hard work for the DWP to actually even start to resolve them! It is standard procedure to hit on those who can't fight back!”
A second added: “Vouchers instead of cash is a disaster in so many ways. Namely, it will stigmatise the disabled. Using vouchers to get carers or supplies will tell whoever you are dealing with, your financial situation. How is that fair? ... Secondly, people with disabilities are targetted in schools, workplaces, and society generally.”
“Vouchers will open people up to discrimination because lots of people will know they are claiming benefits, whereas otherwise they could have been self-funded. Why should strangers have information about sick people.”