Map shows how PIP and Universal Credit changes will affect you

A major overhaul of benefits assessments has been announced. And you can see how the changes might affect you in our interactive map.

The Department for Work and Pensions is modifying the way assessments for claims such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are carried out. It's announced that assessments in specific regions will now be conducted by a single provider.

This arrangement is set to continue until 2029, at which point a new, nationwide assessment service is expected to be introduced. For PIP claimants, a health assessment is required to determine the level of payment based on how their disability affects their daily activities and mobility.

READ MORE: DWP's warning to claimants about benefit overpayments

Similarly, those receiving Universal Credit and ESA must undergo a work capability assessment if they claim to be unable to work due to illness. These procedures are undergoing significant changes as new contracts have been awarded, centralising responsibility for all assessments within a region to one company.

This move represents the first phase in the development of a nationwide Health Assessment Service, scheduled for rollout in the next five years. Claimants will receive letters and should follow the instructions provided. If you have lost your letter or need to verify your assessment provider, you can use your postcode to search our interactive map below.

Full list of the new healthcare providers

Midlands and Wales
Your new health assessment provider] is Capita. Midlands and Wales includes all the following postcodes: B (except B14, B17, B19 and B78 which have PIP assessments provided by DWP), CH1, CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, CH8, CF, CV, DE, DY, GL16,