Northern Ireland is looking at the possibility of bringing PIP assessments in-house instead of outsourcing them to Capita, as is currently the case. However, Capita still looks likely to get a two year extension on its current contract.

In the second independent review of the PIP assessment process, completed in December 2020, it was recommended that PIP assessment be brought in-house.

The current contract with Capita is due to end in July of this year.

However, Deirdre Hargey Minister for Communities, said that the changes could not be made in a matter of months.

“We cannot change it right away; we cannot change something like that in a matter of months. However, I am instructing officials to look at what we need to do in the time ahead. We are looking at that in-house model, as, importantly, it meets the needs of those who require it. Engagement with those individuals, and with the advice sector, in the design and in what that will look like will be critical in the time ahead. There is a commitment from me to look at all of it and to do that.”

Scotland has already announced that it is to do away with the use of private sector companies to carry out PIP assessments.

If Northern Ireland follows suit, the pressure on the Westminster government to do the same may become too great to resist.

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Chantal · 6 months ago
    I started my PIP claim 3 months ago. The DfC received my paperwork on 20/07, so I reckoned I'd ring them since 6 weeks had passed with no updates. They told me it's 3-4 weeks before Capita send an appointment letter for the assessment. After the assessment, it's 4 weeks before they send a report to DfC, another 4 weeks to reach a decision, and then of course 4 more weeks for the first payment to be made - assuming the outcome is positive. This means it'll be some 9 months between starting the claim and getting an outcome. There's no telling how long it'll take if a mandatory reconsideration and tribunal gave to be done. It could be years! Why are these things allowed to take this long? 
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.