The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed new video assessments are being expanded to improve the benefits system for the disabled community.
Legislation set to come into place this week (week of 22 March) will see video assessments relating to disability benefits rolled out across England, Scotland and Wales.
ROLL OUT
The roll out expansion is part of ongoing work to improve the experience of disabled people when applying for benefit support.
Taking place alongside existing telephone and paper-based assessments, the video assessments will be an additional accessibility tool used to support disabled people.
“Supporting disabled people through the pandemic and beyond is a priority for us and this work is an important step forward to help modernise the assessment experience,” commented Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson.
“Our upcoming Health and Disability Green Paper will go further to ensure the welfare system meets the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions now and in the future.”
INVITE
People who have a Work Capability Assessment for Universal Credit or New-Style ESA or make a new claim to PIP or the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) could be invited for a video assessment.
Throughout the pandemic, telephone and paper-based assessments have been used in alignment with public health guidance as face-to-face assessments currently suspended.
The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments(CHDA) will offer video assessments for people making a claim to IIDB or having a Work Capability Assessment, with claimants invited to take part from across the UK.
Capita and Independent Assessment Services (IAS) will provide the assessments for PIP, with eligible claimants across England, Scotland and Wales invited to have a video assessment.
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