Committees

Health assessments for benefits

Inquiry

The Committee investigated the assessment processes for health-related benefits. These include Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. The Committee is focusing on how the Department for Work and Pensions can improve the application and assessment processes for these benefits.

The Committee looked into:

  • How DWP could improve the quality of its assessments;
  • Lessons from the pandemic, including whether changes DWP made to the assessment processes then should continue;
  • How DWP could make applying for benefits more straightforward for claimants

Read an Easy Read summary of the health assessments for benefits report

Watch a video summary of the health assessments for benefits report in British Sign Language

Read the large print version of the report

 

We can’t help you with individual problems that you’re having with your benefits. The following organisations may be able to give you support or advice:

Citizens Advice - For independent, free advice provided by a network of charities online, over the phone and in person on a wide variety of issues including benefits, work, debt, housing, family and immigration.

You can contact an adviser through Citizens Advice’s national phone service:

Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848Advicelink (Wales): 0800 702 2020 

Adviceline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

StepChange – For independent, free debt advice.

Call 0800 138 1111, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.

We know that our inquiry raises issues that might be difficult or upsetting for you. You can contact the 24-hour Samaritans helpline on 116 123 if you feel low or anxious and need someone to talk to, or email them on jo@samaritans.org

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Wednesday 1 June 2022.

Upcoming events

View all events

No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 20 July 2022
9:30am Public
Health assessments for benefits - Oral evidence 20 July 2022
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 29 June 2022
9:00am Public
Oral evidence session 29 June 2022
Health assessments for benefits - Oral evidence
9:00am
  • Oral evidence
The work of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; The cost of living - Oral evidence
9:45am
  • Oral evidence
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 22 June 2022
9:15am Public
Health assessments for benefits - Oral evidence 22 June 2022
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 25 May 2022
9:15am Public
Health assessments for benefits - Oral evidence 25 May 2022
Room 15, Palace of Westminster

Contact us

We can’t usually help you with an individual problem or a specific complaint.

  • Email: workpencom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 8976 | 020 7219 1679 (Media)
  • Address: Work and Pensions Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA