Menu Home Search

Personal Independence Payment PIP and disability living allowance

Updated on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, 2409 views

England only
From 23 February 2015 the DWP will extend the areas in which existing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants will start to
be reassessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). From that date the DWP will further extend the rollout of PIP natural
reassessment to some DLA claimants living in the postcode areas beginning AB (Aberdeen), BB (Blackburn), BD (Bradford), DD
(Dundee), DN (Doncaster), EX (Exeter), HX (Halifax), KA (Kilmarnock), KY (Kirkcaldy), LS (Leeds), PH (Perth), PL (Plymouth), PO
(Portsmouth), PR (Preston), S (Sheffield), SO (Southampton), TS (Cleveland) and WF (Wakefield) where:

The DWP has said consistently that it would take a controlled approach to the introduction of PIP, including the reassessment of
existing DLA claimants, continuously learning lessons from live running. In the areas chosen to extend the natural reassessment
rollout, the assessment provider has sufficient local capacity to handle the increased volumes.
Extending rollout in this gradual way ensures that the DWP can continue to focus on reducing delays and improving the service
to claimants. DWP will continue to monitor progress before making any decisions on extending natural reassessment further.
Existing DLA claimants who have a lifetime or indefinite DLA award will not be affected until at least October 2015, unless the
DWP receives information about a change in their condition that would affect their rate of payment or if they reach the age of 16.

GPs benefits Guide

GP reports  are not part of contractual work – neither the initial application for assessment nor the appeals process

Initial application for assessment:

The process is sub-contracted to a company called ATOS and if ATOS believes receiving a GP report would be helpful for them in making the decision then ATOS should request any report directly from the GP practice and, as this is over and above normal GMS contracted work, ATOS would have to pay a fee.

The link below identifies that GP reports are not a requirement and where these are needed ATOS will request:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/303676/pip-quick-guide-health-professions.pdf

Appeals Process following refusal:

There is nothing within the appeal process whereby doctors are contacted by the Appeals Panel team in contrast to the initial panel, the onus is on the patient to provide evidence that the DWP came to an incorrect decision

There are websites such as the Citizens Advice Bureau which provides an easy to read guide as to how to approach the appeal/ make your appeal – with examples – they do not include approaching the GP in those suggestions  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/  - the main things they emphasise is that the panel understands how their condition affects their ability to live their life

If you wish to support them you can charge any fee that you think reasonable 

 

 

 

 

 

Related guidance...

GPC News December 2014

Link to PDF: GPC News December 2014 GPC meeting The GPC held its meeting on Thursday 18 December and this newsletter provides a...

Providing Reports on Incapacity to Patients

GPs, as certifying medical practitioners, have a statutory obligation to provide statements of incapacity to patients on their list and...

Universal credit and NHS Prescription Charges: there is no box to tick on the back of an FP10 for Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is a single system of means-tested support for working-age people both in and out of work. This is intended to replace...

Certification - Patients Claiming Benefits

Practices are not obliged, either by statute or contract, to complete reports requested by organisations assisting people with their...

ESA Appeals and Medical Evidence

As the rules tighten more people are losing their ability to claim. Many are likely to appeal and ask their GP to help in this appeal....

Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 24th March 2023

Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here MD Soundbites! Further Letter to...

Making a fair contribution - a consultation on the extension of charging overseas visitors & migrants using the NHS in England

Original Document A consultation on the extension of charging overseas visitors and migrants using the NHS in England LMC...

Sickness Certification FIT Notes – DWP & Private

Update to fit note guidance 2023 The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new guidance for GPs and other healthcare...

Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 15th December 2017

All Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates can be found here Universal credit and NHS Prescription...

Safeguarding: Serious Case Reviews

Since 1st April 2008 Child Death Review (CDR) processes have been mandatory for Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) in...