FACE-TO-FACE ASSESSMENTS SUSPENDED
The DWP have announced the suspension of all PIP, ESA and UC face-to-face assessments for three months, from Tuesday 17 March.
Anyone who had a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from Tuesday 17 March onwards does not need to attend.
You should be contacted by IAS (Atos), Capita or Maximus to discuss next steps and alternative arrangements.
This may mean your claim will be assessed just on whatever paperwork is available.
In some cases the assessment provider might also carry out a telephone assessment.
This may take the form of supplementary questions where there is not enough information in the paperwork.
MOST APPEALS TO BE PAPER ONLY FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
Tribunal judges have been given the power to sit alone and to make decisions about PIP, ESA, UC and DLA appeals just on the papers.
Under the new powers, a tribunal judge can make a provisional decision just on the paperwork where they believe a successful outcome for the claimant is highly likely.
Once a provisional decision is made both you and the DWP will be asked if you agree with that decision.
If you both do, it will become a final decision.
If either you or the DWP are not happy, you can still insist that the case goes to a full hearing.
If a full hearing is required, wherever possible it will be done ‘remotely’. This may mean by video link or telephone conferencing.
One concern about this system is that when a provisional decision is made by a judge, some claimants may feel under a great deal of pressure to accept the award, even if it is not as high as they think they should get.
PIP AWARDS EXTENDED, BENEFITS REVIEWS AND REASSESSMENTS SUSPENDED
In a welcome move, the DWP have announced that there will be no new reviews or reassessments of benefits for three months from Tuesday 24 March.
Benefits affected include:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Universal Credit (UC)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Attendance Allowance (AA)
Where an assessment has already taken place for PIP, the decision making process will continue.
Where you already have an assessment scheduled, the assessment provider should contact you to explain whether a paper or telephone assessment will take place.
If your PIP award is due to end, it will be extended.
Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.