Benefits (especially PIP), assessments and appeals in the age of Covid

Florine

Apologies if this has already been covered, but I've been wondering over the last year or so what changes Covid-19 has brought about in relation to assessments, appeals and the like?  I'm assuming that, like everything else, the system has had to adapt, with less in the way of face-to-face assessments, appeals and so on and more being done remotely?  Will any changes continue once we have reverted to something approaching normality?

On a personal level, I keep thinking about the PIP appeal my caree went through shortly before Covid struck - given that she was housebound and unable to attend (and refused any sort of remote hearing/paper assessment), which adversely affected the decision she got.  It's too late to be of much use to her, but will others who are physically unable to attend assessments, tribunals and so on benefit, at least, from being able to be seen remotely?  If the technology is there and has been used, could they argue that they are being penalised if they aren't offered similar options in the future?