Workers could suffer yet another blow as the government announce major changes to the disability benefits assessments in September.
New companies are being hired by the government and brought in to oversee a new assessment process to receive the Personal Independence Payments, known as PIP. Previously, members of the public would fill out a form and later be assessed by a health care professional.
Now, workers can expect to be assessed by a member of staff who works across the whole region. They are employees or agency workers for the company, and also assess for Work Capability Assessments for ESA and Universal Credit.
READ MORE: DWP sends thousands of letters for major Universal Credit overhaul with key deadline
The government will give one provider a region, rather than several assessors. They have recruited several new companies who will take over the role.
(Image: PA)
Which companies are involved?
Contracts have been awarded to several new companies which are divided by region. There are currently only five areas, with high demand expected.
The companies are as follows:
Scotland and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)
Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
South West England: Serco (currently Atos)
South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently Atos)
Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
All of the companies work in outsourcing, but not all are involved in medical care. Capita recently launched an AI academy to help other businesses become literate in the technology.
How will this affect the process?
Upon the announcement, several workers were nervous about the process moving forward. The government assured that the process will still follow DWP guidelines, so shouldn’t change much.
Potential receivers will still need to undergo a face-to-face appointment, but with a singular tester from one of the new companies. The appointment must take place, at most, 90 minutes from their home address.
The guidelines state that distance is an “absolute minimum,” with hopes to remain the same despite less assessors. In addition to this, the office must be placed on the ground floor to make it, “easy for all customers to reach.”
(Image: PA)
Appliers can also bring a companion with them, This is reassuring to some workers, as they are allowed to provide evidence to support your claim.
Contracts state that only therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors may take out the assessments, but they are not necessarily NHS workers. Paramedics can also carry out the tests.
These latest changes are taking place during a difficult time for the DWP. Currently, thousands of PIP claimants are saying they have not received their owed payments. An average of £5000 per person is still expected from the DWP.
They were taken to the Supreme Court, which led to the drastic changes they’re undergoing. The government have not provided any information about future changes.
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