The way people apply for benefits is set to change - this is what you need to know

The Government has announced that the application system for benefits is set to change (Photo: Shutterstock)The Government has announced that the application system for benefits is set to change (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Government has announced that the application system for benefits is set to change (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Government has announced that the application system for benefits is set to change, with a single service delivering all disability benefits assessments in one due to be trialled, before then being rolled out nationally.

However, the change will not take place until 2021.

All benefits in one

The changes will see a single IT system used to apply for all benefits. This will mean that you will not have to reapply if you need help with something else, for example, a disability.

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Separate organisations currently run the Assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability Assessments, Employment Support Allowance, and Universal Credit are all currently run by separate organisations, which all use different IT systems.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now said that this new system will roll all of the assessments into one single digital platform, which will make applications easier for applicants.

This single service will deliver the assessments for PIP and also the Work Capability Assessments in Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. Those who need to apply for more than one benefit will now not have to provide the same information more than once.

When will this new system come into operation?

The new system is set to be first introduced in 2021 before then being rolled out nationally. However, the DWP is still yet to reveal details of where in the UK the trial will start.

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Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson said, "We are committed to providing the best possible support for people with a disability. That’s why we have listened to feedback from both charities and claimants to bring all assessments under one roof.

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"It's important we get this right, which is why we’ll trial the new service on a regional scale before rolling it out nationally.

"These changes show that we are moving in the right direction and the planned Green Paper will go further as we continue to improve the experience for people with long-term health conditions and disabilities."