The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is changing how Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are done. Starting in September 2024, a new system called Functional Assessment Services (FAS) will be used. This aims to make the process faster, more fair, and less stressful for people applying for support.
This new plan will focus more on using paper-based reviews. Instead of asking everyone to attend in-person or remote assessments, the DWP will try to make decisions using the medical records they already have. However, face-to-face, phone, and video assessments will still be used when needed, especially in more complicated cases.
The DWP also plans to improve how assessments are managed. There will be more checks on companies that run these assessments to make sure they follow the rules and treat people fairly. The DWP says this change will help reduce wait times and make the process better for all claimants.
A New Way to Check PIP Claims
The DWP’s new Functional Assessment Services (FAS) model will replace the old system. It means that one company will handle all assessments in a given region. This is different from before, where many providers worked in the same area, sometimes causing confusion.
Here are the main goals of the new model:
- Use the same method across different areas and benefits.
- Make it easier for people who need both PIP and Work Capability Assessments.
- Improve responsibility by making one provider fully in charge per area.
- Speed up the system and provide better support for claimants.
What’s Changing in the Assessment Process?
Paper Reviews First
One of the biggest changes is the focus on paper-based assessments. This means the DWP will first try to decide on your claim by checking your medical records and other documents. If this is enough, you won’t need to attend an assessment at all.
This helps:
- Avoid unnecessary assessments, especially for people with long-term conditions.
- Make the process quicker and less stressful.
- Free up time and space for people who really need in-person checks.
Checking Needs Before Setting an Appointment
Before asking someone to attend an assessment, the DWP will now review their case more carefully. They will:
- See if a paper-based review is enough.
- Check if a specific type of assessment is better for the person’s health.
- Offer the next available appointment if the claimant has no preference.
People who need extra support due to disabilities will have those needs considered before being invited to an assessment.
Stronger Rules for Providers
To make sure everything is done fairly, the DWP will closely monitor the companies running the assessments. This includes:
- Auditing how they choose the type of assessment.
- Making sure they are not unfairly rejecting paper-based reviews.
- Asking them to slowly increase face-to-face services.
By Autumn 2025, the DWP wants more in-person assessments to be available, especially for those who prefer them or need a deeper evaluation.
How Claimants Will Be Affected
These new rules will benefit claimants in many ways:
- Fewer people will be asked to attend stressful assessments.
- Decisions will be made faster using medical records.
- The process will be more fair, with better checks and rules.
- Claimants will be able to ask for the type of assessment that works best for them.
To help their case, people should make sure their medical documents are current and complete.
What’s Next for PIP Assessments?
The DWP says it will keep improving the process based on feedback and research. Even though paper-based checks will be used more, there will also be a bigger focus on face-to-face checks in complex cases. This shows the DWP wants assessments to be both quick and thorough.
In the future, the DWP will make more updates if needed, always aiming to create a process that’s simple, fair, and helpful for everyone. Claimants are advised to stay updated and keep their records in good order.