Motor Neurone Disease and the Personal Independence Payment

Thank you for contacting me about Motor Neurone Disease and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Motor Neurone Disease is a distressing condition for anyone to have to deal with, and I agree it is absolutely that sufferers and their families should receive the right support. Thank you for also bringing to my attention to the APPG on Motor Neurone Disease’s meeting, unfortunately due to other parliamentary business I was unable to attend.
 
PIP has been introduced because Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was an outdated, complex benefit introduced over 20 years ago which does not reflect today's understanding of disability. Most people who claim DLA have conditions that change over time, yet 71 per cent of people were receiving DLA for life without any inbuilt systematic reviews. This led to hundreds of millions of pounds in overpayments and underpayments.
 
In contrast, the aim of PIP is to ensure support is focused on those with the greatest need. The assessment of eligibility focuses on an individual's ability to carry out key everyday activities. Regular reviews for PIP claimants are a key feature of the benefit. They ensure that claimants continue to receive the correct level of support, including increasing support where a long-term health condition or disability deteriorates and daily living or mobility needs increase.
 
I am encouraged that the importance of ensuring these reassessments are not overly intrusive is understood. The length of a PIP award varies depending on the individual's condition. Those with the most severe, lifetime disabilities, whose functional ability has remained the same over time, are less likely to require any form of face-to-face reassessment. Additionally, a discussion paper has recently been published exploring further options to provide a better service for individuals.
 
I will examine this closely as I want to see those who need help continue to get it. Around £50 billion is spent to support people with disabilities and health conditions, £7 billion more than in 2010.
 
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me