The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) do not have to complete every section of the claimant questionnaire if their disability or health condition only affects their mobility or daily living needs.
The clarification follows a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade, who raised concerns about the complexity of the application process for people seeking the standard rate mobility component of PIP.
The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole asked whether the DWP had assessed the complexity of the PIP claims process and whether steps would be taken to simplify applications for people whose disabilities affect their mobility and energy levels.
Minister's response
In the written response published earlier this week, Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, confirmed that PIP applications cover the benefit as a whole rather than individual components or payment rates.
He said: "It is important that all of our claimants are able to access our services and that they do not face obstacles in applying and communicating with the Department and its providers.
"We have a variety of reasonable adjustments to make the claims process and communications easier for some of our most vulnerable customers."
The DWP minister went on to clarify that people who only have mobility needs or daily living needs can concentrate on the relevant parts of the application questionnaire.
He said: "A claim to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is to the benefit as a whole and not to individual components or their rates. Claimants who only have daily living or mobility needs are free to only provide those details in the relevant parts of the claimant questionnaire to simplify the application process."
What this means for claimants
The clarification means that someone whose condition only affects their mobility does not have to provide answers about daily living activities that are not relevant to their circumstances. Similarly, someone whose condition only affects their daily living needs can concentrate on those questions.
However, people whose conditions affect both areas should provide information about both, as PIP entitlement is assessed across the two components.
PIP is designed to help people with the additional costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not means-tested, and entitlement is based on the impact of a condition on everyday activities rather than the diagnosis alone.
The benefit has two components, daily living and mobility, which can be paid at either the standard or enhanced rate. Claimants may qualify for one or both components depending on their circumstances.
Ongoing review of PIP
Sir Stephen also confirmed that the application process remains under regular review to ensure it meets the needs of claimants and allows the department to make accurate decisions about entitlement.
He said: "The application process is kept under regular review to ensure it meets the needs of claimants and helps the Department provide an accurate assessment of an individual's entitlement."
The minister added that changes in health, employment and wider society since PIP was introduced in 2013 had highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the benefit. He confirmed that the Timms Review of PIP will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with its final recommendations later this month.
People making a PIP claim can find information about eligibility, the application process and available support on GOV.UK.
