The DWP online magazine Touchbase has confirmed that video assessments are now being rolled out across Great Britain. This is being done without any consultation with disabled claimants as to whether they wish to be recorded on video or any explanation of how video assessments will be securely stored.
The brief article in Touchbase states:
“From this week disabled people could have a video assessment as the technology is rolled out across England, Scotland and Wales.
“People who have a Work Capability Assessment for Universal Credit or New-Style Employment and Support Allowance or make a new claim to Personal Independence Payment or the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit could be invited for this type of assessment.
“Video assessments will take place alongside existing telephone and paper-based assessments, which have been carried out throughout the pandemic. Face-to-face assessments for disability benefits currently remain suspended, but kept under review, aligned with the latest public health guidance.”
As we reported earlier this month, the law was changed from 25 March 2021 to allow for assessments ‘in person, by telephone or by video’.
The DWP have not said what platform they will be using for the video assessments or what equipment claimants will need to have in order to take part.
However, whilst no consultation took place prior to the introduction of video assessments, there is from today an online DWP feedback page for people who have been through the process.
As yet, Benefits and Work has not heard from any claimant who has had a video assessment, though we have heard from several where attempts to carry out a video assessment failed because of technical hitches.
If you do have a video assessment we would be very pleased to hear from you about your experience
