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<p>The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. We suspended
all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits in March. This temporary
suspension, brought in to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the
outset of the pandemic, remains in place, and is being kept under review in line with
the latest public health guidance. Any re-introduction of face-to-face assessments
would involve additional Covid-related safety measures, and guidance for claimants
and assessment providers to ensure compliance with the relevant public health guidance.</p><p>
</p><p>Throughout the pandemic our immediate focus has been on supporting people impacted
by COVID-19 by putting claims into payment as quickly as possible, as well as paying
any additional benefit where claimants may be entitled to a higher award. We continue
to complete paper based assessments where possible and have introduced telephone assessments.</p>
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