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<p /> <p /> <p>The Department does not have a target for completion of Personal Independence
Payment (PIP) claims whilst processes are bedding in. Clearly, we want to minimise
the length of time claimants have to wait for assessments but the key requirement
is to produce high quality assessments, to enable DWP decision makers to make the
right decisions about benefit entitlement.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to driving
up PIP performance and are in regular contact with our assessment providers to do
this. We already monitor performance closely and liaise with assessment providers
on a daily basis, supplemented by formal monthly performance review meetings. We will
continue to work closely with assessment providers on an ongoing basis to monitor
quality.</p><p> </p><p>Our original Departmental operational delivery plans assumed
a larger volume of assessment provider referrals than we are currently receiving and
we have retained this surplus capacity using it to consolidate learning or carry out
other duties. This will be available for deployment as cases are returned to the Department
for decision maker action. The Department has contingency plans in place to secure
additional capacity from other areas of the Department should assessment provider
volumes exceed plans.</p><p> </p><p>From 10 March we have included with the PIP2 ‘How
your disability affects you' questionnaire, issued to PIP claimants, communications
explaining how long they might be expected to wait for a PIP assessment. This information
is also available on Gov.uk.</p>
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