DWP has published a new Green Paper: Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper
This Green Paper explores how the benefits system can better meet the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions. It was informed by extensive engagement with disabled people, people with health conditions, and their representatives, to hear about people’s experiences of DWP services and priorities for future change.
The consultation includes changes which could:
- Enable independent living and testing the role of advocacy so people who need extra help to navigate the benefits system get the right level of support and information first time.
- Review how assessments are carried out including exploring the potential for longer-term use of telephone and video assessments and looking at how reassessments work including testing a new Severe Disability Group (SDG) for people with severe and life-long conditions that will not improve. This could see those who meet the criteria experiencing a more simplified application process, without the need for an assessment to receive financial support
- Improve support for disabled people to help them start, stay and succeed in work through the Work and Health Programme, Access to Work and on personalising employment support, recognising that one size does not fit all.
The consultation started with the launch of this Green Paper will last for 12 weeks. They want to hear from disabled people, people with health conditions, and their representatives about the approaches that should be considered to improve the system.
The Green Paper, along with accessible versions and a link to the consultation site, is now available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/shaping-future-support-the-health-and-disability-green-paper
Originally published by Clive Davis 23/8/2021