Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) support is provided for claimants with (i) severe health conditions and (ii) daily-living needs who score zero on a Personal Independence Payment assessment, (b) decisions take into account a claimant’s circumstances and (c) interim assistance is provided pending appeal.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition.

Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so is available to individuals when they meet the PIP qualifying criteria. If PIP is not in payment, then the claimant can claim any other benefit to which they consider they may be entitled

A claimant appealing against their PIP decision will continue to receive the level of award, if any, that the decision entitles them to until such time as a new decision is made by the tribunal. If the tribunal allow the appeal, then in most cases the decision will be effective from its original date and arrears will be paid if appropriate.