| answer text |
<p>We recognise that attending a Personal Independence Payment assessment or Work
Capability Assessment for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance can
be a stressful experience and that is why we do not carry out face-to-face assessments
where there is enough existing evidence to determine benefit entitlement. Assessing
claims on solely paper-based evidence avoids face-to-face assessments.</p><p>The assessment
of mental, cognitive and intellectual function is an integral part of all these assessments
and all Health Professionals have undergone comprehensive training in the functional
assessment of disability and mental health conditions. Before attending a face-to-face
assessment, claimants are given the opportunity to alert their assessment provider
of any additional requirements they may have and the providers will meet any reasonable
requests.</p><p>In addition, Mental Function Champions support Health Professionals
by providing additional expertise about mental health, cognitive, developmental and
learning disabilities and can be referred to at any time during the assessment process.</p><p>Furthermore,
companions or advocates may play an active role in helping claimants answer questions
where the claimant or Health Professional wishes them to do so. This may be particularly
important where the claimant has a mental, cognitive or intellectual impairment.</p>
|
|
