The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is being urged to reform Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments for claimants with 'invisible' symptoms. Ross Barrett, from the MS Society, has called on the DWP to stop overlooking fluctuating and invisible symptoms that affect many disabled people.
Flawed Assessment Process
PIP is designed to help disabled people enter and remain in work, but the current system is not working as intended. The Labour government has launched the Timms Review to address these issues. Barrett, writing for the Big Issue, highlighted key flaws: the '50% rule' means that if a symptom is present for less than half the time, its impact is ignored. This can completely discount severe symptoms.
Informal Observations
Another problem is the over-reliance on 'informal observations' by PIP assessors, which are often based on how a claimant appears during the assessment rather than on reliable evidence. One claimant shared that wearing makeup for confidence was later used against her, suggesting she was managing well.
Call for Change
Barrett emphasized the need for a more flexible approach that captures the reality of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The DWP must move away from the rigid 50% rule and consider whether activities can be sustained over time. Informal observations should also be phased out.
The MS Society has launched a campaign called 'Fairness. Dignity. Respect.' to push for these changes, calling the Timms Review the biggest opportunity in over a decade to fix PIP.
