Evidence for PIP Review

We have received so many reports of inaccurate PIP assessments from Disabled people that we believe that the government’s ambition to reduce disability spending, compounded by the use of the biopsychosocial model skews the whole assessment and decision making process.

Inclusion London responded to the call for evidence for the second independent review of Personal Independence Payment, which focuses on the claims process.

Inclusion London’s evidence is informed by Deaf and Disabled individuals that have experienced the PIP assessment as well the information provided by Deaf and Disabled people’s Organisations (DDPOs) in London.

We believe there two key drivers of both the design and implementation of the PIP claim process:

  1. The government’s ambition to reduce disability benefits spending.
  2. The adoption of the biopsychosocial model rather than the social model of disability.

Deaf and Disabled people are being denied PIP because biopsychosocial model underlies the claim process and also government’s aim to reduce disability spending is considered more important than support for the extra costs of being disabled. We believe this is unacceptable considering Britain is the fifth richest nation in the world.

 We sincerely hope that this second independent review improves the PIP claim process so more Deaf and Disabled people are not pushed into debt and left struggling to pay basic living costs such as for food, rent and fuel.

We have made a number of recommendations to improve the PIP claim process.

Key recommendations

  1. The PIP claim process is re-design based on the social model of disability; co-produced by Deaf and Disabled people’s user led organisations.
  2. The government’s ambition to cut disability benefit spending does not deny Deaf and Disabled people the benefit needed to help pay for the extra costs of being disabled.

Other recommendations

  • Good notice is given of an assessment appointment to enable support to be booked in advance.
  • Permit appointments to be changed 3 times as previously, to allow for hospital appointments and problems caused by a person’s impairment.
  • A tape recorder should be provided when requested by the Deaf or Disabled person.
  • Assessments are conducted in Deaf and Disabled people’s locality or at a centre that does not require a long journey.
  • The assessor has a good understanding and knowledge of different impairments such as mental health support needs, learning difficulties including people on the autistic spectrum and fluctuating conditions to ensure the impact of impairments on Deaf and Disabled people’s daily life and the extra cost involved is accurately assessed.
  • The assessor needs to accurately record the evidence provided by the Disabled person and  their carer/partner/advocate as well (if the Disabled person has granted permission)
  • The assessment needs to be fluid and responsive to the evidence being provided by the Disabled person, i.e. not rigid/tick box.
  • The decision maker collects medical evidence.
  • Medical professionals evidence is respected and use in the decision making process.
  • There is a minimum gap 5 years between all assessments
  • Life time awards are granted for Disabled people with impairments that will not change or are likely to worsen.
  • The company is financially penalised for every assessment that is cancelled at short notice.

Download Inclusion London’s full evidence below:

2nd PIP review- Inclusion London’s evidence