Disability benefit review considers alternatives to cash payments

Disability benefit review considers alternatives to cash paymentsImage source, EPAImage caption, There were protests against the Labour government's welfare reforms last yearByJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPublished10 minutes agoA major review of the main disability benefit in England and Wales is considering whether claimants could be offered alternative support instead of cash payments in some cases.Sir Stephen Timms, the minister leading the review, told MPs the government would not be "moving away" from providing cash to disabled people to help them with their extra living costs.But the minister said the review was looking at whether some claimants of personal independence payments (Pip) could instead be pointed to other kinds of support.Alternatives to cash payments could include NHS treatments, specialised equipment or employment support.In initial findings published this week, external, Sir Stephen's review found Pip was not working for millions of disabled people and needs fundamental change.Declaring Pip was "not fit for purpose", the interim report said people applying for the benefit had described the process as "dehumanising" and a barrier to work.Pip claims, especially for conditions such as anxiety and ADHD, have soared in the years since the Covid pandemic, putting increasing pressure on the public finances.Around 10 million working-age people (24%) report living with a disability, compared with under 17% in 2013/14.The cost of Pip is expected to rise to more than £41bn by 2030, up from £15bn in 2020.The review suggests a sweeping overhaul of the Pip assessment system is needed.A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said the review's final recommendations are due this autumn and "will lay the foundation for deep, sustainable reform".On Thursday the co-chair of the review, Sharon Brennan, told the BBC she and Sir Stephen were considering how they could change the Pip assessment process.&q...