DWP asked to give disability benefit claimants right to request an assessor with knowledge of their condition

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it recognises that “improvements could be made to the assessment process” for people claiming disability benefits and confirmed plans to publish a Health and Disability White Paper later this year.

SNP MP, Kirsten Oswald, asked the DWP what steps are being taken to increase confidence in the disability benefits assessment process among claimants.

In a written response, Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health, Chloe Smith MP said: “The Shaping Future Support - The Health and Disability Green Paper explored how the benefits system can better meet the needs of claimants now and in the future by improving claimant experience of our services, enabling independent living and improving employment outcomes.” Ms Smith continued: “We recognise that improvements could be made to the assessment process, and we plan to publish a Health and Disability White Paper later this year.”Ms Oswald, who represents East Renfrewshire and the SNP Westminster deputy leader, also asked the DWP about giving claimants the right to request an assessor with knowledge of their condition.

In a similar written response to the previous question, Ms Smith said: “The Department operates a robust quality assurance and independent audit process to ensure assessment decisions are consistent. “We recognise that improvements could be made to the assessment process and we plan to publish a Health and Disability White Paper later this year following the views shared in response to the Green Paper published last year.” The cross-party Work and Pensions Committee is encouraging people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit to share their