‘Unemployable’ PIP voucher changes should be ignored, DWP warns

The government’s refusal to confirm whether it would potentially do so replace personal independent payment (PIP) benefit payments with vouchers it was called “utter nonsense” in the coming months.

Changing PIP from cash to a voucher or single grant is a “dangerous idea”, a leading disability charity has said. It follows Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall’s comment on Wednesday that the government had not yet ruled out the controversial plans.

How did we get here?

Earlier this year the Conservative government published a ‘green paper’ on PIP reform. A green paper is a consultation document prepared by the government when it is considering introducing a new law.

The paper recommended examining a range of measures, including disability benefits and cash payments. replaced with coupons or one-off grants.

In October, the Labor government suggested it would withdraw the proposals; but after a few days to clarify that this suggestion is valid taking into account “all responses” to the consultation.

Speaking to the work and pensions committee, Kendall said he understood vouchers were a “real concern” for people claiming PIP. But he said he would not provide further details until “it has been properly discussed with people.”

The DWP is expected to introduce its reforms in spring 2025.

“I was very impressed by the comments people were making about shifting support to vouchers and how many organizations said their main concern was that people’s autonomy was being taken away, especially when services are so stretched and narrow,” Kendall said.

“I will put forward our own proposals for reforming sickness and disability benefits.

“This is extremely difficult and I know people really want more details, but we won’t do it until we’re fully prepared and have had proper discussions with people.”

‘An extremely ridiculous idea’

David Southgate, of disability equality charity Scope, told Yahoo News that the “lack of clarity” in PIP schemes had angered charities and fueled “anxiety and confusion among disabled people”.

Some of the government’s wider plans to reduce the UK’s welfare bill have raised concerns among claimants; these include the Fraud, Errors and Debt Bill, which would give authorities powers to make payments. Check benefit claimants’ bank accounts for fraud.

Others stated that the system for requesting PIP already exists. incredibly complex and tiring.

Read more: Easy-to-use tool launched to help users apply for PIP

While the PIP system “desperately needs an overhaul”, Southgate does not believe vouchers are the solution.

“Turning PIP into vouchers is a dangerous idea that should absolutely be ignored,” he told Yahoo News. “Life is much more expensive when you’re disabled and PIP is a vital source of financial support. It’s flawed and urgently needs to be overhauled, but the government needs to work with disabled people to make PIP work better for those who rely on it.”

Disabled People Against Cuts spokesperson Linda Burnip told Yahoo News that the vouchers were “unusable” because “there are so many different needs” that PIP meets.

“It would also remove disabled people’s freedom of choice and ultimately reduce the value of any PIP award. Frankly, this is an utterly ridiculous idea,” he added.

Simon Keenan is one of 3.4 million disabled people claiming PIP. He said replacing cash with vouchers was a “stupid and ill-considered act”.

The 43-year-old, from West Sussex, told Yahoo News: “The idea of ​​taking the much-needed personal independence payment (PIP) support and converting that money into vouchers directly contradicts the name of the support. How can someone be independent while using vouchers?”

“This is a stupid and ill-considered idea by a largely negligent Conservative Party that has rightly been forced out of government. The way Labor entertains these callous ideas is incredibly revealing,” he added.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We are committed to championing the rights of disabled people so their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do. “We are now assessing the responses to the consultations.”