Esther McVey: PIP– facts put straight.

June 5 2013 Heswall News.

LAST week I met with the Wirral branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society at the Hope Centre, Pensby.

I’d been invited to give a talk, as local MP and Minister for Disabled People about the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

There is a lot of misinformation on social media which only serves to frighten people, so I was delighted to be able to talk with the group to put the record straight and their minds at ease.

PIP, like DLA, is a benefit paid whether or not you are in work or receiving any other benefits. It’s not means tested or taxed. It is paid to disabled people to help them with the extra costs they incur due to their disability.

It is widely acknowledged that DLA needed changing to better reflect today’s understanding of disability, taking into account: cognitive, sensory, fluctuating and learning disabilities.

There is a new face-to-face assessment, allowing people to explain how their disability affects them, rather than relying on a self assessed application form, 50% of which currently have no additional, corroborating medical evidence.

Everyone will be assessed, but if the DWP have enough evidence on someone’s claim they won’t need to have a face-to-face assessment.

PIP began in April and will gradually be rolled out across the UK. People on indefinite awards won’t be assessed until 2015.

The amount spent in 2009 on this benefit was £12.6bn and by the end of this Parliament it will be £13.8bn, not reduced as political opponents keep saying.

The UK is acknowledged as a world leader in the support it gives to disabled people and I will ensure that remains the case.

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Twitter: @esthermcveymp