DWP Personal Independence Payment (PIP) overhaul, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it remains “on track” to complete an overhaul of Personal Independence Payment claims. Through the Health Transformation Programme, the DWP is modernising health and disability benefit services to establish a more integrated health and employment pathway for claimants, according to a report by Birmingham Live.
Rushanara Ali questioned the Work and Pensions Committee about when a full rollout of the case management system for PIP claims could be expected. Neil Couling responded that the DWP had said 2029 for full case management, which marks the completion of the health transformation project.
Asked whether the department was on track, Couling said it was, but explained that the department was taking a small-first approach. He said the project was at a small, learning stage, with the DWP uncovering bugs in the code and correcting individual cases quickly.
He added that the department would scale up once it was confident the system could handle a wider rollout.
Dame Sarah Healey added that if only a certain percentage of cases were handled in the next phase, it would fall into Couling’s non-linear category.
From January 2027, the DWP intends to roll out enhanced employment support within the new PIP Service. The department said it will begin trialling the introduction of enhanced support, including employment support, in the new service.
The welfare department stated that it will use structured data to help staff tailor information to individual needs and better connect work, health and skills support.
From December 2029, all new PIP claimants will have access to the new PIP Service. The DWP said it will continue to add features, so that by 2029 claimants will be able to apply, upload evidence, report a change, track progress and see payment details online.
