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<p>As set out in answer <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-01-12/102750"
target="_blank">UIN102750</a>, benefits are designed to support an individual’s needs
arising from a range of disabilities or ill health, including strokes.</p><p> </p><p>The
Department aims to continually improve the assessment process for Personal Independence
Payment (PIP) through customer insight, stakeholder engagement and qualitative research.
For people with the highest level of support and with severe and lifelong health conditions
which will not improve or will deteriorate, new guidance was introduced in August
2018 for both new claims and award reviews to ensure they receive an ongoing award
of PIP, with a light-touch review at the 10-year point. Since 2019 ongoing awards
with a light-touch review at the 10-year point are also applied to most awards for
people over State Pension age.</p><p> </p><p>We published ‘Shaping Future Support:
The Health and Disability Green Paper’ in July 2021 and asked for views on how we
might improve health assessments considering a number of options. The consultation
closed on 11 October 2021 and we will set out next steps in a White Paper later this
year.</p><p> </p><p>We are now exploring how to test a new Severe Disability Group
(SDG) so those with severe and lifelong conditions can benefit from a simplified process
to access ESA/UC and PIP without ever needing to complete a detailed application form
or go through a face to face assessment/reassessment.</p>
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