The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made significant changes to its guidance for health professionals carrying out Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments across the UK.
The updated guidelines published on GOV.UK include details on the capability of assessment providers to audio record face-to-face and phone consultations plus changes in the section on covert recordings by claimants.
However, Benefits and Work, has spotted that it also includes improved guidance for assessors on the significance of whether or not a claimant with a mental health condition is receiving medication.
Assessors may incorrectly interpret the fact that a claimant with, for example depression, is not receiving any medication as evidence that their condition has very little effect on their daily living or mobility needs.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk