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 increased by 22 per cent in the first 12 months.
Also, successful claims that were granted PIP rose by seven per cent during the initial 19 weeks of trials according to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data.
A DWP evaluation revealed that claimants found the online process much easier Telephone claims required them to be in the right mental state or build up confidence to start the application.
Postal submissions were seen as daunting The digital claims route provided lower levels of stress and anxiety when completing applications while offering greater flexibility and convenience according to the evaluation.
However, as ministers try to reduce rising benefits spending the evaluation acknowledged there is now strong evidence that Digital Self-Serve would lead to 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 towards their everyday costs according to the Liverpool Echo.
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Ministers were forced to abandon proposals last year that would have reformed PIP assessment criteria.
This followed potential revolt from Labour backbenchers who feared it might unfairly pressure some disabled individuals 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 DWP encouraging online assessments which would open up a benefits situation with ever easier access.
She stated that sickness benefits are intended to help people with serious disabilities and 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 and lifting the two-child cap.
