Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to family members submitting evidence to support a persons claim for personal independence payment; and what weight is given to that evidence by assessment providers.

The Department provides guidance to family members for those who are approaching 16 and in receipt of DLA regarding the invite to claim PIP. Additionally claimants are asked if they want carers or relatives to provide information regarding health conditions or disabilities, space is provided for this in the “How your disability affects you” evidence gathering form. Decisions regarding PIP are made by Decision Makers, not Assessment Providers. Decision Makers will consider all evidence on the case.

Guidance for Health Professionals on how to evaluate and analyse evidence in preparing the Assessment Report can be accessed on the gov.uk website, section 2.8.13. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547146/pip-assessment-guide.pdf.

Furthermore, we introduced two comprehensive, statutory, independent reviews of the PIP Assessment. The second of Paul Gray’s Independent Review's was published on 30 March 2017. We are considering the review’s recommendations carefully and will respond later this year.