The Department for Work and Pensions has accepted four recommendations to ease fear of reassessment for claimants with disabilities who want to explore work
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has “accepted” recommendations for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit changes.
The Social Security Advisory Committee has put forward the DWP should implement five alterations to the The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2026. The DWP has given the green light to four of them. Dr Stephen Brien, the chair, said: “I am pleased to note that you have accepted four out of the Committee’s five recommendations, with the remaining one partially accepted.
“While recognising that some aspects of our recommendations will take time to fully implement, I regard your response as a positive step forward in achieving greater alignment with your stated policy intent of giving clearer reassurance to claimants with disabilities or health conditions who wish to explore work without fear of a reassessment or award review.
“I look forward to receiving updates from the Department as further progress is made.”
The DWP has given approval to four changes:
- initiating a reassessment within at least six months of a claimant commencing paid or voluntary work under the ‘Right to Try’ guarantee, except where there is a suspicion of fraud or non-work related evidence of a change of circumstances.
- to establish that evidence of functional capacity derived from work activity or workplace performance during the protected period shall not normally be treated on its own as demonstrating sustained capability in any assessment or reassessment, however that assessment was initiated and whether or not it was triggered by the work itself.
- updated guidance establishing that leaving employment or voluntary work due to health reasons within the protected period will, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be accepted as good reason for the purposes of any sanctions and conditionality decisions.
- a communications strategy firmly aligned with the realities of the regulations and guidance as drafted, as well as the wider assessment framework, so that claimants are not inadvertently misled
According to Birmingham Live, in response to the correspondence, DWP chief Pat McFadden said: “I would like to thank you for setting out the Committee’s concerns in your subsequent letter.
“I recognise the Committee’s view that fear of reassessment continues to present a significant barrier to work. I understand the Committee concluded that, in its view, the Right to Try regulations as drafted may not provide claimants with sufficient reassurance.
“Your recommendations therefore focus on strengthening protections, so claimants are not disadvantaged when taking steps towards work, including volunteering. I agree with the direction of the recommendations and set out below the approach that the Department will adopt in taking them forward.”
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