DWP urged to look at how PIP informal observations are used by assessors during consultations

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been encouraged to “look again” at the use of informal observations made by health assessors during consultations for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The calls came from MPs participating in a debate earlier this week, which discussed the current PIP assessment process and the proposed plans for changes under the DWP White Paper.

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols shared examples from three of her constituents who are all living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), on how the assessor made informal observations that had a negative impact on the outcome of their PIP award decision.She explained how one constituent was given nothing because she was observed ‘holding a bag’ during her consultation, despite tripping over during the assessment and displaying obvious evidence of struggling with mobility.

Another ‘navigated the test centre well’ and the third was marked as being able to prepare her own food simply because she could cut up a banana by herself.Ms Nichols said: “PIP guidance states that assessors should ‘balance informal observations with evidence from professionals who may have observed the claimant more regularly’ - that clearly is not happening.“Guidance is not being correctly applied by assessors, or enforced by the DWP.