PIP Problems Mean Progress For Campaigners
Haha, DWP, take that! ATOS, take that!
As a result of these delays the implementation of PIP for existing working age DLA recipients will be introduced more gradually, starting with certain post code areas.
This means that, from 28 October 2013, if you are getting DLA you will only be invited to be reassessed for PIP if you are in one of the following groups and living in Wales, East Midlands, West Midlands or East Anglia.
- You are a child turning 16 on or after 7 October 2013 (children who are terminally ill will be reassessed at a later date).
- You are reporting a change of circumstances which may affect your rate of payment. Some changes will not trigger an invitation to claim PIP at this stage, for example if you go into a care home, hospital or prison or if you have a change of address.
- You have a fixed-term DLA award which expires after 17 March 2014.
- You choose to claim PIP and you live in one of these areas.
We have amended our Claiming PIP guide to show this change.
The reassessment areas are all those where Capita is responsible for consultations/assessments. Atos areas will only handle new PIP claims.
The DWP have produced a map of the affected areas.
This timetable change mirrors that for Universal Credit (UC), which has been forced to push back its national roll out date. Compared to UC, PIP is relatively straightforward to implement. If the DWP is already facing problems with PIP, this raises the question of how and when UC will finally be fully introduced.
Same Difference 