DWP suspends face to face assessments for 3 months

Face-to-face health assessments for benefits suspended amid coronavirus outbreak


Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended for the next 3 months, the government announced today.

The temporary move, effective on Tuesday 17 March 2020, is being taken as a precautionary measure to protect vulnerable people from unnecessary risk of exposure to coronavirus as the country’s response ramps up in the ‘delay’ phase. We will ensure those who are entitled to a benefit continue to receive support, and that new claimants are able to access the safety net.

It affects claimants of Personal Independence Payment, those on Employment and Support Allowance and some on Universal Credit, and recipients of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

The suspension of face-to-face assessments also covers new claims to those benefits.

Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

As we move into the next phase of our response to coronavirus, it is right we take steps to protect those with health problems.

Temporarily suspending face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits will allow us to ensure we continue to provide a safety net for those in need, while removing unnecessary risk of exposure to this disease.

Anyone who has a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from Tuesday 17 March onwards does not need to attend and will be contacted to discuss next steps and alternative arrangements, which could involve either telephone or paper-based assessments. We expect this measure will be in effect for the next 3 months but we will be regularly reviewing the position in line with Public Health advice.

No further action is required by any claimant as a result of this change. They will be contacted with advice on next steps.

Suspending face-to-face health assessments is a precautionary measure which reflects the Prime Minister’s decision to trigger the ‘delay’ phase. It is important to note that this change does not affect or change any existing public health advice.

Read the current NHS guidelines on coronavirus, including advice on those who should stay at home.

More Information
The department will continue to work with its providers through this period and pay them in accordance with its contracts.

Contact Press Office
Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

Press Office
Caxton House
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London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only – not questions about personal claims) 020 3267 5144

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England and Wales (local media enquiries) 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099

Scotland (local media enquiries) 0131 310 1122

www.gov.uk/government/news/face-to-face-...coronavirus-outbreak

My friend contacted me to tell me as she knew I had a reassessment tomorrow. I called IAS and they confirmed they would have contacted me shortly to advise the appointment was cancelled. She said they were also trying to cancel today’s appointments. I asked if it was true about 3 months and she didn’t know. She also implied it was the DWP’s decision and I’d now need to call them.

I called DWP and to be fair to the guy he said he had very little information. He also said it was IAS’s decision to cancel assessments, not DWP. I advised him my award was due up in May and he said he couldn’t confirm that reassessments would be going ahead in 3 months time. He said the DWP would be in touch with me but if I wanted to call back give it approx a week as things were changing rapidly. He said that my award would be extended if I couldn’t be reassessed before the award date. I also expressed concern about my blue badge. He said I’d have to call my Council regarding this.

Called Liverpool City Council to advise of the above situation. I said I’d already had a reminder from them 3 weeks ago that I needed to reapply for my Blue Badge. She advised they were having a meeting tomorrow about this and to contact them late tomorrow afternoon.

I am upset as I was hoping to have my mobility award increased to enhanced. I’d psyched myself up for the assessment and after discussing matters with my Dad, who is my carer, we said we’d go for a MR and Appeal If we had to. I’ve been frightened in the past of doing this since my award was downgraded when I moved from DLA to PIP. I’d worried about them cancelling my award completely.

I am currently appealing against having to have a face to face. They said I had to attend this Friday 20th. I was panicking as I need to go to the post office to send my letter registered post and I have shingles at the moment so my immune system is down. At least its not so urgent now and I can leave it until Wed and hope I feel better by then.