A growing petition is calling on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to eliminate repeated assessments for individuals claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Disabled claimants and campaigners argue that the current system is overly intrusive and stressful, particularly for those with lifelong or degenerative conditions. With over 3,200 signatures so far, the petition highlights the dehumanising effects of repeated evaluations and has reignited calls for meaningful reform.
PIP, which provides financial support to over 3.6 million people with disabilities across the UK, has long been criticised for its burdensome assessment process. While the DWP defends the need for reviews to ensure accurate support, campaigners believe the system unfairly targets individuals who should not have to repeatedly prove their need for assistance.
The Petition’s Key Demands
The petition, launched by Gary Robinson, directly challenges the necessity of repeated PIP assessments, particularly for individuals with long-term or incurable conditions. It highlights how the process can be both emotionally and financially taxing for claimants.
The petition states:
“Stop DWP repeating Personal Independence Payments assessments for disabled people. Disabled people need support and respect. We think repeated investigations are dehumanising, and interrogation-like interviews and repeated legal battles to prove entitlements to benefits are distressing.
“People with genuine disabilities have to repeatedly provide Doctors notes, letters and prescription information (sometimes at personal cost) simply to prove their ongoing entitlement. We believe a decision to end entitlement should be a medical decision, not a cost-saving exercise.”
The campaign seeks to shift the focus of assessments from bureaucratic reviews to medical evaluations, ensuring that decisions are informed by professionals familiar with the claimant’s condition.
Why Repeated Assessments Are Problematic
The current system requires claimants to regularly undergo assessments, even when their conditions are lifelong or degenerative. For many, this involves gathering medical evidence such as doctor’s letters, prescription records, and supporting documentation. These requirements often impose additional costs and stress on individuals who are already managing complex health needs.
Disability advocacy groups, such as Sense, have highlighted the emotional toll of these processes. In one survey, more than 50% of respondents reported feeling humiliated by the assessment system. One recent case involved a blind woman with complex needs who was assessed over the phone and later sent a confirmation letter she could not read.
Debbie Abrahams, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, told MPs:
“It was reported in the Sunday papers that a blind woman with additional complex needs had her PIP assessment over the phone, which was approved, but then she was sent a letter to confirm that. Sense have said that over half of people that they have surveyed feel humiliated by the process.”
The DWP’s Response to Criticism
The DWP maintains that regular PIP reviews are necessary to ensure claimants receive the correct level of financial support. Speaking on the matter, Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, explained:
“It is, of course, important that we keep the awards under review, because sometimes they go up as well as down, and we want to ensure that the support being provided is appropriate for the claimant.”
Sir Stephen also acknowledged the need for improvements in accessibility, noting:
“Help can be provided to manage the assessment process. An online process is being trialled, and we are looking at further potential improvements.”
These changes aim to address criticisms of the process while ensuring assessments remain robust and fair. However, campaigners argue that such reforms do not go far enough to address the stress and challenges faced by disabled individuals.
Proposed Reforms to the PIP System
Advocates for change are calling for a more claimant-focused approach to PIP assessments. Key suggestions include:
- Reducing the frequency of assessments for individuals with lifelong or degenerative conditions.
- Allowing medical professionals to make final decisions on entitlement, rather than relying on bureaucratic evaluations.
- Improving accessibility by providing alternative formats for communication, such as Braille or audio letters.
- Streamlining the process through digital tools and online assessments to reduce delays and complexity.
These reforms aim to create a system that prioritises respect and understanding for claimants, while ensuring support is delivered efficiently and effectively.
How Scotland Is Leading the Way
Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which is gradually replacing PIP, offers a stark contrast to the DWP’s system. Managed by Social Security Scotland, the ADP has eliminated frequent reassessments for individuals with long-term or permanent disabilities. Instead, the system emphasises trust in medical evidence and reduces unnecessary interactions for claimants.
Advocates are pointing to Scotland’s approach as a model for how the DWP could reform PIP across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Path Forward for PIP Reform
As the petition continues to gain signatures, it highlights growing public dissatisfaction with the current PIP assessment process. For campaigners, the ultimate goal is a system that respects the dignity of disabled individuals and alleviates the stress of repeated assessments.
While the DWP has acknowledged the need for change, the question remains whether the government will take meaningful steps to reform PIP and address the concerns of millions of claimants across the UK.
