Major change planned to Universal Credit and PIP that could speed up some benefit claims – everything you need to know

HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit and other disability-based benefits could see wait times for claims slashed under Government plans.

The Department for Work and Pensions is planning to test speeding up some disability claims, meaning they could avoid lengthy paperwork and health assessments.

It comes after an online petition was set up calling for disability benefit claims to be based on medical advice only.

Currently, some people who want to claim Universal Credit and other disability-based benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) have to go through assessments and detailed forms to determine whether they are eligible.

These claims take on average 18 weeks, which campaigners say can leave ill and vulnerable people without access to the financial support they need.

But the petition set up by Ray Vanderahe said claims should be based "solely" on evidence from medical professionals, such as a letter from a GP or consultant.

He said: "We are concerned about how the disabled, with conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.

"Heart disease, lung disease, respiratory diseases, poor mental health etc, are treated by the benefits system.

"Claimants with medical evidence of their condition should not to be subject to degrading assessments.

"These delays in assessing claims risk deterring genuine claims. It has to stop."

In response to Mr Vanderahe's petition, which has received around 28,000 signatures, the Government said it was looking at streamlining the system meaning some people could get disability payments quicker.

However, it added: "The Government has no plans to assess eligibility for all disability benefit applications based on medical evidence alone."

Meanwhile, Thomas Hamilton-Shaw, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said the idea of speeding up some benefit claims was a "good thing" but it did not address a "flawed and confusing assessment process" for most disabled people.

He added: "We’ve heard from disabled people who are missing out on benefits because the application process is complicated, inaccessible and anxiety inducing.

"One person had such a stressful assessment he said it “nearly broke” his family.

“In a cost of living crisis, disabled people must be able to get benefits without having to fight for them."

The DWP said: "One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is how to support people to start or return to work, and we are looking at this issue in depth.

"We will publish the Health and Disability White Paper in the coming months, which follows consultation with disabled people and people with health conditions to help shape our approach."