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Written question asked by Kate Green (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 November 2017. It was answered by Sarah Newton (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 November 2017 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Personal Independence Payment: Epilepsy

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 2 November 2017, on social security, HCWS218, whether previous personal independence payment (PIP) applicants with epilepsy who were unsuccessful under the previous PIP Assessment Guidelines will have their claims automatically reassessed in accordance with the updated PIP Assessment Guidelines.

Answer

Claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not have to wait until 2022/23 to benefit from these changes. New claimants will be assessed under the updated guidance from the 13th of November.

Existing claimants will have their awards reviewed under a separate exercise to ensure that their awards take into account the changes to the term ‘safely’ and the severity of harm. Those who were previously assessed as being ineligible for PIP from 9th of March will also have their award looked at again as part of this exercise. For those who see an increase in their award or are now entitled to PIP, we will be paying claimants their full entitlements back to the date of the judgment (9 March 2017).

This will be a complex exercise and it’s important we get it right so we will begin testing the process from the 20th of November 2017.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
111725
Session
2017-19
Related items
Social Security
Thursday, 2 November 2017
Written statements
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Epilepsy Personal independence payment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk