Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons brain tumours are not included in the list of health conditions requiring additional support needs in the most recent Personal Independence Payment Assessment guide.

Claimants to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who cannot engage effectively with the claims process due to a lack of mental capacity or insight, and who do not have any support from another person or organisation, are considered to require additional support from the DWP and elements of the PIP claims process have been adapted to provide further support for this group.

The PIP Assessment Guide provides guidance for Health Professionals carrying out assessments for PIP on who is likely to require additional support and describes the broad health conditions which would give rise to a lack of mental capacity or insight together with some specific examples. The guidance would not preclude someone with a brain tumour from being considered for additional support if the tumour gave rise to a lack of mental incapacity or insight.