Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about mandatory face-to-face assessments for benefits.

I am aware a survey in 2016 found over half of those surveyed who had considered taking their own lives had done so because of financial problems, including the fear of losing benefits.

The Government’s temporary suspension of face-to-face assessments is due to expire in mid-June. It has previously committed to reduce the number of reassessments a disabled person must go through when a significant change in condition is unlikely. It also stated it wants to transition towards an integrated
assessment service, and that where a claimant has already secured sufficient evidence, with the claimant’s permission, that information can be used to increase the chance of a paper-based review and reduce the need for a full face-to-face assessment for benefits.

It has also said it will be bringing forward a National Disability Strategy and a Green Paper on Health and Disability Benefits and Support. I will follow developments on both pieces of work closely.

When asked if the DWP will extend the temporary suspension of mandatory face-to-face assessments for benefit applications, the Government advised on 9 June that it is “currently in the process of reviewing this measure in light of the latest public health advice and will confirm next steps as soon as possible”.

I believe we must develop a replacement to the current assessments based on a personalised, holistic assessment framework that provides each individual with a tailored plan, building on their strengths and addressing barriers. Assessments need to be more responsive and we need to develop alternatives to the current system of Work Capability and PIP assessments, and make sure that people are treated with the respect they deserve.

More widely, I have been calling for several weeks for legacy benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance, to be uprated in line with Universal Credit. I note that the Social Security Advisory Committee has recently recommend that the Government finds a way to ensure that this group of claimants is brought up to the same level as those in receipt of Universal Credit as soon as it is possible to do so.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP