DWP Releases Full List of Postcodes Affected by PIP and Universal Credit Changes
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is implementing significant changes to health assessments for benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). These changes involve altering how assessments are conducted for these claims. The DWP has announced the initiation date for assessments in each region, with a single company being responsible for all assessments per region on behalf of the DWP. This new process will be in place until 2029, after which a new nationwide assessment service is set to commence.
- PIP recipients typically undergo a health assessment to determine their payment level based on how their disability affects their daily activities.
- Universal Credit and ESA claimants must attend a work capability assessment to assess their ability to work.
These assessments are undergoing significant adjustments following the awarding of new contracts, with one company overseeing all assessments in each region. This move marks the initial phase towards the establishment of a nationwide Health Assessment Service in five years. Claimants are advised to carefully follow the instructions in their appointment letters. In case of letter misplacement or uncertainty about the assessment provider, individuals can verify by using their area or postcode details.
Regional Providers and Affected Postcodes:
Midlands and Wales:
Your new health assessment provider is Capita. Postcodes include B (excluding specific ones), CH, CF, CV, DE, DY, GL, HR, LD, LE, LL, LN, NG, NN, NP, PE, SA, ST, SY, TF, WR, WS, and WV.
South East, London, and East Anglia:
Ingeus is the new health assessment provider. Postcodes covered are BR, CM, CO, CR, CT, DA, E (excluding E5), EC, EN, HA, IG, IP, KT, ME, N (excluding N2, N3, N4, N6), NR, NW, RM, SE, SM, SS, SW, TN, TW, UB, W, and WC.
South West and South Central:
Serco is the health assessment provider. Postcodes in this region include AL, BA, BH, BN, BS, CB, DT, EX, GL, 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. Postcodes encompass AB, BB, BD, BL, CA, CH, 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:
Capita is the health assessment provider for postcodes in Northern Ireland under BT.
In specific regions, the DWP directly conducts health assessments. Postcodes E5, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are serviced by the DWP for PIP and Universal Credit/ESA assessments. For Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit assessments in these areas, Ingeus is the provider. Additionally, specific B postcodes have health assessments provided by the DWP. These include B14, B17, B19, and B78 for PIP assessments. For Universal Credit/ESA or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit assessments in these B postcodes, Capita serves as the provider.
If individuals requiring health assessments in postcodes managed by the DWP need assistance, they can reach out to the Health Assessment Service at 0800 015 2561.