Page 7 - CL winter 2023 for web

welfare rights

Easier with a light touch better or worse) since their
previous application or, if nothing
is different, to repeat the difficulties
that led to the award being granted.
If the client has a copy of their
previous PIP award letter that gives
Review of personal independence payments are likely to become the points they were awarded for
simpler and quicker this year, which could be good news for those each activity, this can make it easier
with profound learning disabilities, says Charlie Callanan to complete the form.
The client may have to attend an
assessment with an independent
health professional, as is common
for a new PIP application.
The fact that the claimant has
lmost all awards Claire Coutinho MP had an award of PIP before does
of personal said the aim was not guarantee an award following a
minimise the
independence contact needed review. However, a claimant has a
payments (PIP) while checking for right to a review and to appeal
are subject any change against a decision.
to review. In Scotland, there is a similar
A However, the review process for PIP claimants
review process is due to get simpler and those getting the adult
and quicker for working-age disability payment.
people with permanent disabilities
or long-term health conditions that Terminal illness rule
are unlikely to change. Another change means terminally
This light-touch process is ill people are more likely to get a
already in place for claimants who guaranteed disability benefit earlier
have reached state pension age. The in their illness.
government is reviewing how it is This change to fast-track disability
done; it is expected that, under the benefit claims is expected to be
light touch, people will not be effective from April.
expected to have a face-to-face benefit reviewed. Many of them are It means that when the death of a
assessment and confirmation of an likely to be suitable cases for a claimant can reasonably be expected
ongoing award will be paper based. light-touch review. within 12 months (rather than the
It is likely that those with Clients who are not subject to current six months), they will get
profound learning disabilities will the light-touch regime will the benefit straight away, without
be among those to benefit. continue to have to undergo the needing an assessment. Instead,
The government has said that more complete review of their PIP. their GP or hospital consultant can
light-touch reviews will be for confirm the prognosis.
claimants with very stable needs How reviews works The claimant will be guaranteed
that are unlikely to change or A review usually starts 6-12 an award of PIP daily living
high-level needs that will stay the months before a benefit award is component at the enhanced rate, or
same or get worse. This is likely to due to expire. However, a client the disability living allowance care
involve people with severe or may be contacted about a random component at the highest rate, or
progressive conditions requiring review at any time, even if their the higher rate of attendance
high levels of support. award is for a fixed period. allowance. Entitlement to the
David Woolfall/UK Parliament/Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0 necessary contact with the claimant disability affects you”. Light-touch reviews will be for those
The process normally involves
Secretary of state for work and
mobility component of PIP and
pensions Claire Coutinho said:
completing the PIP AR1 form,
DLA will be determined separately.
There are some differences in
“Award review – how your
“Our aim is to have the minimum
how the rules are applied
The form includes questions
to check whether anything has
in Scotland. n
around each PIP activity and
changed, adjust the award if
concerns what has changed
needed, and ensure we hold
regarding a person’s health or
up-to-date information.”
The process should be formalised disability and the help or assistance
with very stable needs that are unlikely
this year; this is partly because
they require with the activity.
It is recommended that
people who were given 10-year
to change or high-level needs that will
awards of PIP (the maximum
claimants should not just write
“no change” in replies. It is safer
length) after it was introduced in
to explain what has changed (for
2013 will be due to have their
Community Living winter 2023 vol 36 no 2 stay the same or get worse 7