Scope's reply to the governments planned concessions to the green paper.

I'm not certain but to me it seems like the very thin promise of not being affected currently on LCWRA wouldn't count for us more than a short time anyway, since they're doing away with the WCA. So then where do we stand?

With reassessment, I've got a feeling this is them being sneaky and as soon as any reassessment comes for anyone it will be new rules and they'll say either it counts as a new claim or reassessments aren't protected. Or whatever other line they can give to get what they want.

Either way, I don't know how any MPs can call these 'massive concessions' when they are anything but that.

Hi @MW123 - please, if you have the opportunity, would you ask questions about this section of the Green Paper under

The future of PIP, assessment processes and safeguarding

159. 'Therefore, we will launch a process to review the PIP assessment. This is a major undertaking which will take time and require extensive engagement, so any changes to the PIP assessment would only be introduced following the reforms set out in this Green Paper. To make sure we get this right, we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. It will also provide an opportunity to consider how to extend the goals and approach set out as a result of this Green Paper through any future change to the PIP assessment. In particular, the ambition is to shape a system of active support that helps people manage and adapt to their long-term condition and disability in ways that expand their functioning and improve their independence.'

1. Why is PIP being reformed without the proposed future PIP assessment changes, which are an integral part of this, only being discussed after they hope the bill to pass?
2. Will there actually be a guarantee that disabled people & the charities that support them will be consulted about these changes?
3. How exactly do they think they can expand a disabled person's function & improve their independence? [Timms has mentioned aids as if with the odd one or 2 then it wouldn't matter if a claimant loses the daily component of PIP]
4. In light of the proposed 'concessions,' then will there be one assessment for those that have a current award of the daily living component [mention has been given to changing the descriptors], & another for a new claimant?

As far as UC goes, it seems that the severe conditions criteria that will be used are those found in Appendix 8 of the  Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals which says,

'The level of function would always meet LCWRA criteria/the condition is always present'

So why in the 'Amendments to the UC Regulations 2013' which can be seen in the actual UC & PIP Bill, does it say under

40A

(4) A descriptor constantly applies to a claimant if that descriptor applies to the claimant at all times or, as the case may be, on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake the activity described by that descriptor.

whereas the regulations currently say,

A descriptor applies to a claimant if that descriptor applies to the claimant for the majority of the time or, as the case may be, on the majority of the occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake the activity described by that descriptor.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/regulation/40

A descriptor simply cannot affect a claimant constantly, so why have the words been changed?

I'll also be asking these questions responding, not to the Green Paper 'consultation' directly, but by emailing in a response. Others can also do so by using this if they wish:

Consultation.pathwaystowork@dwp .gov.uk

It occurred to me today that whilst I don't directly use my PIP to pay for a hairdresser, I do have to have my hair cut regularly as I cannot manage it if it gets too long (It starts curling really weirdly) I don't have the energy, so this helps me out. I was also talking to the Dr today about having to pay over £100 a month for diabetic sensors because I don't get them free but they want me to monitor my bloods. I can't see either of these being offered in voucher form.

Hi chiaried,

My brain fogs really bad and I’m fatigued so sorry if I don’t make sense . So regarding the scc they’re saying the descriptor used to get lcwra and scc must be constant. That is no good day for that descriptor ie mobility or eating and all day . My conditions may fluctuate throughout the day but they are there every day . I don’t get remissions from my fibromyalgia or ME and other conditions. Not sure how scc would affect me as how can we prove we have the same symptoms 24/7 ? I don’t know if it has any relevance but when it was first reported about the concessions the guardian mentioned they were thinking of making it easier for those with multiple conditions, but I haven’t heard anything of it since .

"Creating incentives" to participate?

Incentives as in DO IT or be Sanctioned?

You Cannot "INCENTIVISE" someone to NOT be Disabled.

Exactly this ☝️I'm on CBESA and lcwra but not pip .... I guess we will have to just wait and see what the finished bill will look like and see where we stand

As I understand it Existing Claimants are to be reviewed under Current Rules, Even after Nov 2026 their Awards will Not be subject to the 4point rule on Review?

Otherwise what's the Concession.

Only New claimants are to be assessed under New rules?

(PLEASE) Only those that know for a Fact. Much appreciated