Updated 8 April 2013
Personal Independence Payment assessment criteria
The Government is introducing a new benefit, Personal Independence Payment, that will replace Disability Living Allowance. At the heart of the reform is the development of an accurate, objective, consistent and transparent assessment that looks at people as individuals.
The Department published its initial proposals for the assessment criteria in May 2011, consisting of the draft criteria and a supporting technical note. A further draft of the assessment criteria and regulations was published in November 2011. A formal consultation on the criteria, regulations and weightings and thresholds began on 16 January 2012 and closed on 30 April.
- Initial draft of the Personal Independence Payment assessment criteria – published May 2011
- Second draft of the Personal Independence Payment assessment criteria – published 14 November 2011
- Consultation on Personal Independence Payment assessment thresholds – published 16 January 2012. Consultation now closed
Including consideration of reliability in the PIP Regulations
On 31 January 2013 DWP Ministers announced plans to amend the Regulations on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), to make clear that, when assessing whether an individual can carry out an activity, we must look at whether they can carry out that activity:
- safely
- to an acceptable standard
- repeatedly
- in a reasonable time period.
This concept has always been integral to the Department’s proposals for the PIP assessment but Ministers have agreed to include it in the Regulations to make the policy intent clear in legislation.
The Department has published a draft amending Regulation. These may be subject to further refinement. A final Regulation will be laid once the PIP Regulations currently being considered by Parliament are made but before they come into force in April 2013.
PIP assessment guide for assessment providers
We have produced guidance for providers carrying out assessments for Personal Independence Payment.
The guidance is intended to supplement the contract documents agreed with providers as part of the commercial process. It provides guidance for health professionals carrying out assessment activity and for those responsible for putting in place and delivering processes to ensure the quality of assessments.
We will continue to refine this guidance in the run up to the implementation of Personal Independence Payment. We will publish updated versions on this website when available.
- PIP assessment guide (840KB)
– published 8 April 2013
