PIP claimants may need medical 'proof letter' to claim under DWP overhaul

07 May 2024 , 11:53

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The Government announced its proposed plans for PIP last week (Image: Getty Images)

One of the Government's proposals for its Personal Independence Payment (PIP) overhaul will require claimants to have a "proof" of diagnosis letter from a healthcare professional.

Last week, the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) published its proposals for the Government's planned overhaul of the disability benefit PIP. One of the plans suggested in the "Modernising Support Green Paper" consultation was to scrap the current eligibility criteria and replace it with one based on what condition or disability someone has.

Currently, your eligibility for PIP depends on how a disability or medical condition impacts your ability to do daily tasks. This means a wide range of conditions and disabilities can be eligible however this does require an assessment to determine how much PIP you could receive. You can either get the standard rate of £72.65 a week or the enhanced at £108.55 - you can also have a mobility element of £28.70 or £75.75.

However, the DWP has proposed that claimant's eligibility will be based on their clinical diagnosis by a healthcare professional. This would mean the claimant would need "proof" such as a letter from a doctor of their diagnosis. The paper said: "This would mean that people could receive entitlement to PIP based on specific health conditions or disability, evidenced by a health care professional, without undergoing an assessment.

"Some other countries, such as the United States, have a model of disability support that places more emphasis on a list of prescribed conditions. In comparison, the current PIP eligibility is based on an assessment of functional needs with no mandatory requirement for evidence of a specific health condition or disability provided by healthcare providers."

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This proposal has been criticised by charities and campaigners as it risks some medical conditions, which may not be deemed to be long term or severe enough, being excluded entirely from PIP. This could leave some people unable to claim any financial support even if they are severely struggling. One of the most controversial ideas put forward by the DWP is to scrap regular PIP payments entirely and replace them with one off grants or vouchers. Another is to offer claimants a choice of physical support from an "approved list"

The consultation is now open for 12-weeks and businesses, groups, organisations and individuals can provide feedback on how the proposals would affect people. This consultation closes on July 23.

Ruby Flanagan