A list of every postcode affected in a major overhaul of benefit assessments has been released. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is altering the method of conducting assessments for claims such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and other benefits.
The department has confirmed the start date for when assessments in any specific region will be conducted by the same company on behalf of the DWP. This new service will continue until 2029, at which point a new nationwide assessment service is expected to be launched.
Individuals claiming PIP usually need to undergo a health assessment where they are awarded points to determine the level of payment they will receive, based on how their disability impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks and move around. Those on Universal Credit and ESA must attend a work capability assessment if they claim they are too ill to work.
These are now undergoing major changes after new contracts were awarded, assigning responsibility for all assessments in any given region to the same company. It’s the initial step towards the introduction of a new nationwide Health Assessment Service in five years.
Claimants are encouraged to follow the instructions in their appointment letter. If you have misplaced your letter or are uncertain about who your provider is, you can check using your area or postcode, reports Birmingham Live. Here is a complete list:
Midlands and Wales
Your new health assessment provider is Capita. Midlands and Wales includes all the following postcodes: B (except B14, B17, B19 and B78 which have PIP assessments provided by DWP), CH1, CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, CH8, CF, CV, DE, DY, GL16, HR, LD, LE, LL, LN, NG, NN, NP, PE, SA, ST, SY, TF, WR, WS and WV.
South East, London and East Anglia
Your new health assessment provider is Ingeus. South East, London and East Anglia includes the following postcodes: BR, CM, CO, CR, CT, DA, E (except E5 which has assessments provided by DWP), EC, EN, HA, IG, IP, KT, ME, N (except N2, N3, N4 and N6 which have assessments provided by DWP), NR, NW, RM, SE, SM, SS, SW, TN, TW, UB, W and WC.
South West and South Central
Your new health assessment provider is Serco. South West and South Central includes the following postcodes: AL, BA, BH, BN, BS, CB, DT, EX, GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4, GL5, GL6, GL7, GL8, GL9, GL10, GL11, GL12, GL13, GL14, GL15, GL17, GL18, GL19, GL29, GL50, GL51, GL52, GL53, GL54, GL55, GL56, GU, HP, LU, MK, OX, PL, PO, RG, RH, SG, SL, SN, SO, SP, TA, TQ, TR and WD.
Northern England and Scotland
Your new health assessment provider is Maximus UK. Northern England and Scotland includes the following postcodes: AB, BB, BD, BL, CA, CH2, CH3, CH41, CH42, CH43, CH44, CH45, CH46, CH47, CH48, CH49, CH60, CH61, CH62, CH63, CH64, CH65, CH66, CW, DD, DG, DH, DL, DN, EH, FK, FY, G, HD, HG, HS, HU, HX, IV, KA, KW, KY, L, LA, LS, M, ML, NE, OL, PA, PH, PR, S, SK, SR, TD, TS, WA, WF, WN, YO and ZE.
Northern Ireland
Your new health assessment provider is Capita. Northern Ireland includes the following postcodes: BT
Differences in other postcodes
However, in some regions, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will directly deliver health assessments. For those residing in postcodes E5, N2, N3, N4 and N6, the DWP is your provider for PIP health assessments and Universal Credit/ESA work capability assessments. If you live in these postcodes and require a health assessment for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, your health assessment provider is Ingeus.
For certain B postcodes, the DWP is the health assessment provider for PIP. This applies to the following postcodes: B14, B17, B19 and B78. However, if you live in these B postcodes and need a Universal Credit/ESA work capability assessment or a health assessment for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, your assessment provider is Capita.
If your health assessment provider is the DWP and you need to discuss your appointment, you can contact the Health Assessment Service on 0800 015 2561.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
