Support organisations and charities questioned on health assessments for benefits
9 May 2022
The Work and Pensions Committee inquiry is investigating the assessment processes for health-related benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. It is focusing on how the DWP can improve the application and assessment processes.
- Watch Parliament TV: Health assessments for benefits
- Inquiry: Health assessments for benefits
- Work and Pensions Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 11 May 2022, Committee Room 16, Palace of Westminster
At 9.15am
- Dr Kieran Sharrock, Acting Chair of the GPC, British Medical Association
- Aaron Dryden, Director of Carer Support, Carers UK
- Minesh Panel, Head of Policy, Macmillan Cancer Support
- Mark Jackson, Policy Manager, Marie Curie
At 10.15am
- Daphne Hall, Vice Chair, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA)
- Hannah Nicholls-Harrison, Policy Co-Chair, Disability Benefits Consortium
- Caroline Selman, Research Fellow, Public Law Project
The Committee has previously heard that the application and assessment processes for such benefits are often flawed, with a majority of people who appeal against decisions made by the DWP being successful. The DWP has announced its intention to reform the assessment processes for PIP and ESA through the Health Transformation Programme.
The latest session will explore the role of medical professionals and third-party evidence in the assessment process, ideas for different assessment methods and the types of advocacy and guidance that is available to those looking to claim health-related benefits. There will also be questions on the appeals process, including the significant proportion of DWP decisions that are overturned at Tribunals and how the assessment process can be improved to reduce the number of claims being appealed.
Further information
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