DR UK urges you to complete PIP replacement consultation launched by group with lived experience of the social security system
The Commission on Social Security are a group of people with lived experience of the current social security system: “In other words, we are experts in the social security system and what works, and what doesn’t”.
After a project hiatus 2023-24, the Commission is now consulting on a proposal to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
This proposed Additional Costs Disability Payment aims to provide fair, dignified, and holistic support to Disabled people, addressing the additional costs and systemic barriers that they face and ensure it reflects the needs and realities of those it seeks to support.
It is inviting individuals, organisations, and groups to take part in this consultation:” Whether you are directly affected by social security, a representative of a user-led or civil society organisation, or simply someone with a perspective to share, we want to hear from you.”
The consultation covers key areas such as eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and the structure of advocacy and support services. It also explains some of the wider systemic changes we might need to see to make the new system a reality, like the creation of a National Independent Living Service.
The consultation takes the form of an online survey as well as a series of focus groups on Zoom, some of which will have BSL interpretation:
Dates for the focus groups include:
- Wednesday 19th March 2-4pm
- Thursday 27th March 2-4pm
- Monday 3rd March 11am-1pm
- Friday 7th March 2-4pm (BSL interpretation for this session)
- Friday 14th March 2-4pm (BSL interpretation for this session)
If you are interested in signing up to one of the focus groups, email: commissiononsocsec@gmail.com
The Commission has produced simple diagram 'Journey of an Additional Costs Disability Payment' to help visualise what the process could look like together and 'Glossary of Terms.
The consultation will end at midnight, Friday 14 March 2025.
Feedback will directly inform the Commission’s recommendations, and the proposals we present at its launch event later in 2025.
Ken Butler DR UK’s Welfare Rights and Policy Adviser said: “DR UK would encourage Disabled people and their organisations to take part in the Commission’s survey.
It’s a very welcome and timely antidote the DWP’s forthcoming Green Paper aimed a making £3 billion of cuts to disability and health benefits expenditure.
As the Commission says, the results of the consultation can be a building block to secure “fair, dignified, and holistic support” to Disabled people, addressing the additional costs and systemic barriers that they face and ensure it reflects the needs and realities of those it seeks to support.”