The DWP announced earlier this month that it will extend the time between personal independence payment (PIP) assessments but that the number of work capability assessment (WCA) reassessments will increase, as will the proportion of face-to-face assessments. The changes are expected to save £1.9 billion by the end of 2030/31.
The contract between assessment providers and the previous government required 80% of assessments to be completed virtually, primarily by telephone, leaving just 20% to be face-to-face.
However, Labour are now requiring the proportion of face-to-face assessments to be increased to 30% for both PIP and the WCA, rising from lows of 6% for PIP in 2024 and 13% for the WCA.
In order to achieve this, and deliver more WCA reassessments, the time between PIP reviews is to be extended for the majority of PIP claimants aged 25 and over, to a minimum of three years for a new claim, rising to 5 years at their next review if they remain entitled.
Claimants will still be able request an alternative form of assessment if their condition prevents them from travelling to an assessment centre.
The changes are due to take effect from April 2026.
The government have not made it clear how the £1.9 billion will be saved.
There are three potential sources of savings:
- Reducing the number of PIP assessments will result in savings on assessment costs, but these will be at least partially offset by the increased cost of additional face-to-face assessments compared to telephone ones.
- Reducing the number of claimants found to have limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA), by increasing the number of WCA reassessments.
- Reducing the number of PIP awards because, face-to-face assessments result in fewer awards than telephone assessments. In 2024, the success rate for face-to-face PIP assessments was 44% compared to 57% for virtual assessments.
Benefits and Work has made a Freedom of Information request for a breakdown of where the £1.9 billion savings will come from.
More details about the changes to assessments are available here.
