DWP set to give update on replacing monthly PIP cash payments for vouchers

The DWP will be giving its first oral questions session in the House of Commons under the new Labour Government next week, providing an opportunity for the department to update on the proposed overhaul of the benefits system

More than 3.6 million people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may find out as soon as next week if the changes outlined in the 'Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper' will be enacted by the new Labour Government.

The forthcoming Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) oral questions session is marked for Monday, October 7, presenting the first occasion for the fresh ministerial team led by Liz Kendall to address inquiries from across the aisle.

An online survey on the potential overhaul of the benefits system, which proposes scrapping the Work Capability Assessment in favour of a unified tier assessment framework for all benefits, has drawn more than 16,000 participations. Following its conclusion on July 22, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms MP remarked that the DWP plans to rigorously assess the feedback while "considering our own approach to social security in due course".

Adding to this, in a written response to Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy's question about the future of the Work Capability Assessment, Sir Stephen affirmed the government's pledge to "reform or replace" it, coupled with establishing a solid strategy to assist disabled individuals in finding employment.

"We will also give disabled people the confidence to start working without fear of an immediate benefit reassessment if it does not work out. More disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve."

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

He added, "These plans are central to our missions of kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity.", reports the Mirror.

He further stated, "This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of all that we do."

The proposed changes could see a shift from the current system where Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients may receive cash of up to £737.20 every four-week period to different forms of aid including vouchers, single payment grants, a system based on actual spend, or selecting support tools from a list. Other suggestions include changing the criteria for PIP eligibility, overhauling how assessments are conducted, and transferring the costs of PIP onto the NHS and local councils.

The Green Paper, exploring alternatives to the usual cash handouts of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), discusses other potential methods to assist individuals with disabilities and chronic health issues. These methods are proposed as ways to maintain contributions towards the extra expenses incurred by these individuals.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecasted that the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessment could result in 424,000 individuals with severe mobility or mental health problems losing out on additional Universal Credit of more than £400 a month and protection from sanctions. According to the OBR's estimates, only three per cent of these people would be expected to find employment within the following four years.

For those claiming benefits in Scotland, it's important to note that the suggested changes won't affect the 173,000 individuals currently receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), as they'll transition to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) by the end of next year.