DWP places disability assessments under review after accusations of needless and humiliating hurdles

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the application process for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is being "kept under review". This comes after Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome questioned why "reassessments are being scheduled for people with incurable disabilities and terminal illnesses", calling attention to a constituent who is sight-impaired, deaf-blind registered and unable to use a phone or fill out forms.

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, explained that PIP award reviews are necessary to ensure claimants receive the correct amount of financial support. He added: "An online process is being trialled and we are looking at further potential improvements."

The minister agreed that the DWP needed to ensure the disability assessments were "accessible" and hinted that changes might be on the way for the much-claimed benefit. He said: “It is, of course, important that we keep the awards under review, because sometimes they go up as well as down and we want to ensure that the support being provided is appropriate for the claimant. "

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He added: "We also need to ensure that the process is accessible - I agree with him about that. Help can be provided to manage the assessment process.”

But Sir Stephen's reply was followed up by the new chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, which scrutinises the work of the DWP. Chairwoman Labour MP Debbie Abrahams said that many people are left “humiliated” by the process of applying for PIP, reports the Daily Record.

She told MPs: “It was reported in the Sunday papers that a blind woman with additional complex needs had her PIP assessment over