Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to allow Personal Independence Payment applications to be made online.

The Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising health and disability benefit services. We are developing the new service carefully, designing it around the needs of claimants.

We have introduced a digital version of the PIP2 health questionnaire, which is now offered to the majority of those making a claim. This is offered to those who call us to begin their claim.

We have also begun trialling a fully online application for PIP. Since 27 July, people in selected postcode districts may be able to apply for PIP online via GOV.UK if they:

• Live in England.
• Are claiming for themselves or helping someone with their claim.
• Are not already claiming PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or have a previous PIP/DLA claim.

The online service is an additional optional route to apply for PIP and is not replacing the existing methods of telephony or post.

The current testing phase is allowing us to test the functionality and stability of the service; the department intends to scale the service gradually and safely. We aim to make the online applications for PIP available nationally across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the end of 2024.