This temporary measure, effective from tomorrow (Tuesday 24 March), is being taken to reassure vulnerable people about the continuity of their benefits during the coronavirus outbreak and to ensure the Department’s resources are focused on enabling access to financial support for new claimants. This follows on from a previous announcement to suspend all face-to-face assessments in order to safeguard potentially vulnerable claimants.
Work and Pensions Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey said:
As this country ramps up its efforts to support people through coronavirus, we will do whatever it takes to protect claimants and our staff.
We are automatically extending all awards and reassessments for health and disability benefits to provide that reassurance to those in receipt of them.
Information for claimants
what this means for you:
- there will be no new reviews or reassessments across all benefits for three months – this includes Universal Credit (UC), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
- face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits have been suspended for the next 3 months including for any new claims.
- PIP claimants, if an assessment has already taken place this will continue to be processed. If an assessment has been scheduled, claimants will be contacted by the assessment provider to discuss how this will be taken forward.
- ESA and UC claimants whose cases have been referred to the provider will be contacted to take this forward.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/c...ents-suspended
