The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that some Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards could include non-cash support, such as services, under proposals from the Labour Party's Timms Review.
According to the DWP, cash will remain the foundation of the award, which will stay non-means-tested. However, some awards "will also include services, and offer other non-cash support" as part of the planned changes.
Timms Review publishes emerging recommendations
The Timms Review, published in September, set out its emerging recommendations for PIP changes. This followed an interim review which found that the benefit, currently claimed by 4 million people, is not fit and fair for taxpayers or benefits claimants.
The DWP states that the award will contribute fairly to the extra costs arising from disability and long-term health conditions, reflecting fluctuating and cumulative impacts.
Cost categories and support options
Under the new plans, cost categories will be used to discuss a person's circumstances and determine their award. These categories could include equipment and aids, mobility and transport, and clothing and bedding.
People will also be signposted to further relevant information and support, according to the Timms Review.
Co-chairs and next steps
Sir Stephen Timms, Labour Party cabinet member, leads the review alongside two co-chairs: Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE and Sharon Brennan.
Discussing the plans, Timms said: "Our task over the coming weeks is to test whether the emerging recommendations are fair, workable and capable of improving people's experience of PIP and supporting people to participate in everyday life."
Timms added: "We will listen carefully to what people tell us and identify where proposals need to change or require further work, feeding this back to the steering group as we move towards our final report later this autumn. Accessibility, fairness and accountability will remain central both to the recommendations that we develop and the way in which we develop them."
The final report is expected later this autumn, with the steering group set to consider feedback and refine the proposals.
