Make claiming PIP fair
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit which helps with some of the extra costs related to disability if you're aged 16 to 64. PIP is a crucial benefit, but the current assessment and decision making process is not working for people with sight loss.
We want the PIP process to be fair and accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
What's the problem with PIP?
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application process is causing blind and partially sighted people hardship and distress. Many are having their claims wrongly refused.
PIP assessors often don't understand sight loss and its impact on people’s daily lives, and some even conduct eye tests overriding evidence from NHS ophthalmologists. Poor decision-making by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is also resulting in people being offered a lower level of PIP or being refused altogether.
RNIB is calling for the DWP to:
- Ensure the PIP assessment and decision-making processes are fair for blind and partially sighted people.
- Make the PIP assessment process accessible for blind and partially sighted people, taking into consideration their individual needs.
For further information please see the media release.
Completing the PIP application form was an incredibly negative and depressing experience for me. The form is inaccessible and I’ve had to rely on someone else to go through it with me and complete it on my behalf. Luckily my mother was able to help, but it would have been even more embarrassing to go through it with a stranger. I do so many things that break stereotypes and make me feel incredibly strong, but this form makes me feel like a helpless blind person.
Claire Lawrence
