Independent Review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Process in Northern Ireland
The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 states that the Department for Communities (DfC) must lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly, two Independent Reviews on the operation of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessments. The first Independent Review was published in June 2018 and the second Review was published in December 2020.
The first review
The Department for Communities commissioned Walter Rader to undertake an independent review on how the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment is working in Northern Ireland. To support the review a Call for Evidence was launched in January 2018, and Mr Rader also engaged directly with PIP operational staff, the assessment provider involved in the delivery of PIP and voluntary organisations who provide advice and support to claimants.
- Consultation on PIP - Independent Review of the Assessment Process (Northern Ireland)
- Independent Review of the PIP Assessment Process in Northern Ireland - report and response
The second review
The Department for Communities commissioned Marie Cavanagh to undertake the Second Independent Review of how the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment is working in Northern Ireland. The Call for Evidence was aimed at organisations and individuals who have information relevant to how the PIP assessment is operating for new claims, award reviews and change of circumstances.
- Consultation on the Second Independent Review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Process in Northern Ireland
- Second Independent Review of the PIP Assessment Process in Northern Ireland - report and response (pdf)
- Second Independent Review of the PIP Assessment Process in Northern Ireland - departmental response (html)