Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May 2019 to Question 256267 on State Retirement Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of cases where a person has received an inaccurate state pension forecast as a result of part of their state pension being contracted out.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Chancellor. State Pension forecasts are based on the individual’s National Insurance record that is held at the time the forecast is produced. There may be subsequent changes to the National Insurance information; additionally for a small percentage of National Insurance records the information may be incomplete. Where this is the case, this may affect the State Pension forecast. For this reason the forecasts make it clear that they are subject to change.
HMRC and DWP continue to work closely to improve our ability to identify and correct inaccuracies as quickly as possible. Where inaccurate or incomplete National Insurance records are identified they are routinely corrected by HMRC. Additionally, HMRC also ensure that any inconsistencies that remain on an individual’s National Insurance record are investigated in the period leading up to State Pension age to ensure the correct amount of State Pension is put into payment.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer on 30 April 2019 to Question 245707, Personal Independence Payment: Terminal Illnesses, what (a) qualifications and (b) training Assessment Providers have to determine whether a special rules case should be rejected for not satisfying the terminally ill definition.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Healthcare Professionals undertake Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) provisions in accordance with the department’s PIP Assessment Guide. Healthcare Professionals dealing with claims under SRTI are (a) fully qualified in their health discipline and (b) have a broad training in disability analysis. As well as their qualified profession, the Department recognises the importance of ensuring individuals also have sufficient experience, skills and training to undertake assessments and so any health professional undertaking assessments must also have at least two years' experience following registration. Both Assessment Providers conform to a rigorous set of standards regarding staff recruitment and training which are being closely monitored by the department.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Scottish Government guidance for registered medical professionals on making clinical judgments about terminal illness; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
It is a matter for the Scottish Government how they assess entitlement for devolved benefits and to decide on appropriate guidance to support that.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Scottish Government guidance for registered medical professionals on making clinical judgments about terminal illness was a contributory factor in revised UK guidance notes for the DS1500 form.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
A variety of stakeholders were involved in the development of the revised guidance notes for the DS1500 form. This included specialist clinicians as well as disability charities, representing a broad clinical perspective. This work was a result of our continual improvement activity and engagement with stakeholders.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) consultants, (b) GPs and (c) specialist nurses were consulted during the process to develop the revised guidance notes for the DS1500 form.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
A variety of stakeholders were involved in the development of the revised guidance notes for the DS1500 form. This included specialist clinicians as well as disability charities, representing a broad clinical perspective. This work was a result of our continual improvement activity and engagement with stakeholders.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been called for reassessment for personal independence payments after their three year award under special rules for terminal illness came to an end; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants under Special Rules for Terminal Illness do not undergo an Award Review at the end of their three-year award. Claimants can make an advanced new claim towards the end of their existing award and, without a face-to-face assessment, can have their claim fast-tracked.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the administrative cost is of processing a new application for personal independence payment under normal rules.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost is to the public purse of processing a new personal independence payment application under special rules for terminal illness.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer on 30 April 2019 to Question 245707, Personal Independence Payment: Terminal Illnesses, whether the Assessment Provider discusses a personal independence payment claim made under special rules for terminal illness with the claimant’s GP prior to rejecting as a special rules case for not satisfying the terminally ill definition.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Assessment Providers undertake Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) provisions in accordance with the department’s PIP Assessment Guide. Medical evidence is required to be able to advise the department on a claim, and this is often provided on form DS1500 along with the claim.
When it appears that the criteria for a SRTI claim is not met, the Assessment Provider will contact the health professional(s) named on the customer’s claim or records to clarify the situation prior to issuing their advice to the department.