Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Acknowledged
When recordings are available, in cases where the findings of assessments are overturned on MR...
Recommendation
When recordings are available, in cases where the findings of assessments are overturned on MR or appeal, the recordings of the original assessment should be checked at least on a sampled basis, to establish whether the erroneous assessment outcome should have been avoided. We welcome the plans to test sending reports by default and recommend that this be rolled out as soon as possible. (Paragraph 99) Other health-related benefits
Government Response Summary
The Department is committed to ensuring individuals receive high-quality assessments as part of the evidence used to decide benefit entitlement and continually looks to improve the efficacy of the assessment process by working closely with providers.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Department is committed to ensuring individuals receive high-quality assessments as part of the evidence used to decide benefit entitlement. Providers are monitored against a range of measures, including independent audit, to improve the accuracy of the advice they provide. The Department continually looks to improve the efficacy of the assessment process by working closely with providers. The main reasons that decisions are overturned on appeal are: cogent oral evidence given by the individual; tribunals drawing a different conclusion based on the same evidence; and new written evidence provided at the hearing. The Department continues to learn from decisions overturned at appeal. For example, insight is gathered from DWP Presenting Officers who regularly provide feedback from hearings they attend.