Have your say! How to contribute to the Government Consultation on Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

The government is now accepting public submissions on the proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Many autistic people depend on PIP to live full and dignified lives. The current system is not suitable for autistic people and needs reform, but limiting access to this life-saving payment is not the answer.

We will be submitting our own response to the consultation, but this is an open consultation, meaning that anybody can submit evidence and have their voice heard.

This is an important opportunity for autistic people to share their personal experiences and ensure that changes to PIP do not make life harder for autistic and disabled people. Below we have shared tips if you wish to respond to the consultation yourself. The Consultation consists of 38 questions, which can be answered here

Accessibility

Large print, easy read, Welsh, Audio, BSL and PDF formats of the Consultation can be found here

If you require an accessible format (such as one that is compatible with a screen reader) please email accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk

If you require further help with accessing the consultation in a suitable format, including via e-mail: please e-mail consultation.modernisingsupport@dwp.gov.uk If you would like to respond by post, please mark your envelope

‘Modernising Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper’ and send to:

Disability and Health Support Directorate
Department for Work and Pensions
Level 2
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Responding to the Consultation

• You do not need to answer all the questions. You can answer as few or as many as you would like, or as many as apply to you.
• The submissions are anonymous. You do not need to provide your name or contact information.

We have identified some questions in the consultation that are likely relevant to Autistic people, and, below, we have explained what these questions are asking. If you do not wish to answer all the questions, these may be a useful starting point:

Question 2: What are your views on people receiving PIP without an assessment if they have specific health conditions or a disability as evidenced by a healthcare professional?

What do you think about people with a diagnosis or medical evidence for their disability applying for PIP without needing to attend an assessment? Would this be easier/harder or better/worse for Autistic people?

Question 3: What are your views on PIP claimants not being subject to an award review if they have a specific health condition or disability as evidenced by a healthcare professional?

An award review (or PIP review) is a periodic re-assessment of your eligibility to receive PIP. If a PIP recipient has a health condition that cannot improve or be resolved (such as Autism) - do you think these people should have to undergo re-assessment to continue receiving PIP?

Question 4: Do you agree or disagree on making provision of evidence or a formal diagnosis by a medical expert a mandatory requirement for eligibility for PIP?

Do you think that a diagnosis from a medical professional should be compulsory to receive PIP? Should other evidence (such as an assessment) be enough for someone to receive PIP?

Question 10: Do you think the need for prompting is a good/bad indicator of extra ongoing costs and why?

‘Prompting’ is understood by the DWP as ’reminding, encouraging or explaining by another person.’ Many autistic people require this type of support to complete important tasks such as cooking, cleaning or bathing, on a daily basis. Do you think that needing this support creates additional living costs for Autistic people?

Question 16: What are your views on changing the length of the current three-month qualifying period for PIP which is used to establish that the functional effects of a health condition or impairment have been present for a certain time period before entitlement can start?

When you first apply for PIP, there is a ’qualifying period.’ You must prove that you have had your condition for at least three months before you can receive PIP. Do you agree or disagree that this qualifying period is needed?

Questions 20 + 21 + 22 + 23

These questions are identical, but each one is about a different possible alternative to the regular unrestricted payments PIP recipients are currently given.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of moving to a new system for PIP claimants?

Question 20: This question asks whether being able to purchase specific items from a catalogue or shop would be better or worse for PIP Claimants.

Question 21: This question asks whether being given vouchers instead of cash would be better or worse for PIP claimants.

Question 22: This question asks whether a receipt-based system would be better or worse for PIP claimants.

This might be a system where receipts are provided for items purchased, and if the purchase is approved, the money is reimbursed to the claimant. It could also be a system where receipts for grant money must be reviewed before further payments are made.

Question 23: This question asks whether a one-off grant payment (or lump sum) would be better or worse for PIP claimants.

Question 26: Are there specific groups of people whose needs are not being met by the current PIP provision and have a need for a greater level of support? What form should this support take (e.g., help with specific extra costs, access to improved healthcare such as mental health provision or enhanced local authority support such as care packages and respite)?

This question is asking about specific communities (such as the Autistic community) and their needs. What sort of things do you think would benefit the Autistic community, aside from the current PIP provision?

Question 27: Instead of cash payment, are there some people who would benefit more from improved access to support or treatment (for example, respite care, mental health provision or physiotherapy)?

This question is asking whether improved treatment or supports would be MORE beneficial than PIP cash payments.

Question 35: Do you think aligning PIP with local authority and NHS services could reduce the number of assessments a person with a disability or health condition would have to undergo? Would this help to reduce duplication?

This question is asking whether linking up PIP with NHS or local social services would make it easier for disabled people to access the necessary benefits and supports. Would that be helpful for you?

Further Information

To read our recent article about the PIP Consultation, click here.

For information about Personal Independence Payments, click here.