PIPs not ‘targeting most vulnerable’

IAMwritinginresponseto the letter headlined, “PIPs have arrived to target most vulnerable” (Write Back, May 22).

To explain to your readers: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced in Northern Ireland in June 2016. It replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people of working age (16 to state pension age).

PIP provides help towards some of the extra costs arising from a long-term health condition or disability. It is not intended to “target the most vulnerable”, or “invent a concept of new diagnoses”.

PIP does not diagnose a medical condition, or its severity.

PIP is assessed on the individual’s ability to carry out everyday tasks, in order to understand the effect the condition has on day-to-day living and what extra help people may need.

The Department for Communities (DfC) has appointed Capita to provide support with the assessment process.

So far, over 100,000 people have been assessed for PIP in Northern Ireland.

In most cases, customers will be asked to meet a disability assessor for a face-toface assessment.

This can take place either at one of the nine assessment centres or in their own home, if more appropriate.

The disability assessor produces a detailed report, which is then sent to the department to consider. DfC and Capita have checks in place to ensure reports are of a high quality.

DfC reviews all the available evidence and makes an award decision.

If anyone doesn’t agree with DfC’s decision, they can ask for it to be reviewed and supply any additional information.

There is then also the opportunity to appeal to an independent tribunal.

The Northern Ireland Executive put in place measures to support people who are financially worse off after they have been reassessed from DLA to PIP.

JOHN MCKERVILL

Director of pensions, disability and benefit security Department for Communities