10.06.13
Personal Independence Payment roll-out to replace DLA begins today
PIP, or Personal Independence Payment, will be rolled out from today for working-age claimants. The new benefit was trialled in the north of England in April and replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
PIP is designed to support independent lives, the Government has stated, with a new face-to-face assessment and regular reviews to measure an individual’s ability to wash, dress, get around and communicate.
The number of claimants for DLA rose from 2.4 million to 3.3 million in the past ten years and now costs more than £12bn a year.
Esther McVey, minister for disabled people, said: “Disability Living Allowance is an outdated benefit introduced over 20 years ago and was very much a product of its time.
“The Personal Independence Payment has been designed to better reflect today's understanding of disability, particularly to update our thinking on mental health and fluctuating conditions.
“We are introducing a new face-to-face assessment and regular reviews – something missing in the current system. This will ensure the billions we spend on the benefit give more targeted support to those who need it most.”
But disability charities have warned that the benefit will not go to those who need the greatest support due to flaws in the new assessment.
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