A Government report has shown that an online self-service benefits system could result in significantly more successful claims. The Government has outlined plans to encourage more Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants to submit their applications online instead of using traditional telephone or postal methods. Trial results for the digital self-service platform were first reported by the Sunday Telegraph. The data showed that PIP registrations went up by 22 per cent in the first 12 months. Also, successful claims that were granted PIP increased by seven per cent during the first 19 weeks of trials according to Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) figures. A DWP evaluation revealed that claimants found the online process much easier. Telephone claims required them to be in the right mindset or build up confidence to start the application. Postal submissions were seen as intimidating. The digital claims process offered lower levels of stress & anxiety when completing applications while providing greater flexibility & convenience according to the evaluation.
However, as ministers work to reduce rising benefits spending the evaluation recognized there is now strong evidence that Digital Self-Serve would cause a substantial increase in the number of PIP applications. PIP is one of the main welfare payments available to disabled people across the UK. The payment helps those living with long-term illnesses or disabilities by contributing to their everyday costs according to the Liverpool Echo. Ministers had to drop proposals last year that would have changed PIP assessment criteria after facing potential opposition from Labour backbenchers who worried it might unfairly pressure some disabled people into employment.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately argued that all PIP assessments should be face-to-face. The senior Conservative added that the last thing needed is the DWP encouraging online assessments which would open up a benefits situation with increasingly easier access. She stated that sickness benefits are meant to help people with serious disabilities & claiming them should not be a simple exercise to get extra welfare instead of working. She concluded that the Government has no control over the welfare system. Keir Starmer has given in to his left-wing backbenchers by abandoning reforms & lifting the two-child cap.
