Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Fifth Report - Health assessments for benefits
Work and Pensions Committee
HC 128
Published 14 April 2023
Recommendations
10
Rejected
Para 49
We recognise that reducing waiting times is vital to ensuring people get the support that...
Recommendation
We recognise that reducing waiting times is vital to ensuring people get the support that they need. However, we are keenly aware that delays are still happening. In line with our recommendation that the Department set clearance time targets, we …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to pay PIP applicants an assessment rate if clearance time targets are missed, stating that PIP is not an income replacement benefit and payment could lead to inappropriate expenditure of public funds, as around half of new PIP claims referred for assessment do not receive an award.
Department for Work and Pensions
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21
Rejected
Para 98
The vast majority of assessments are still not recorded and auditing the reports may not...
Recommendation
The vast majority of assessments are still not recorded and auditing the reports may not pick up discrepancies between what a claimant has said or done in an assessment, and what is recorded in the report. We recommend the Department …
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Government Response Summary
The Department remains committed to retaining audio recording on an opt-in basis, giving claimants the choice of having their assessment recorded.
Department for Work and Pensions
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25
Rejected
We agree that the easement for signing forms on behalf of people with terminal mesothelioma...
Recommendation
We agree that the easement for signing forms on behalf of people with terminal mesothelioma and lung cancer was a positive development in the pandemic. The Department should make this permanent and bring the rules on advisers signing forms in …
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Government Response Summary
The Department considers that there is already appropriate provision in place given appointee provisions and generous entitlement rules for the most vulnerable IIDB claimants, and states there is no equivalent legislative provision within IIDB for the definition of 'terminally ill'.
Department for Work and Pensions
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