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7 December, 2020 Open access

DWP commences paper-based assessments for industrial injuries disablement benefit claims

Minister says assessments should help reduce backlog of more than 5,000 claims, that is more than double the number of claims outstanding at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020

The DWP has confirmed that it has started to undertake paper-based assessments of industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) claims.

Responding to concerns raised in a letter from Work and Pensions Committee Chair Stephen Timms that, during the coronavirus pandemic, there have been no procedures in place for processing IIDB claims while face-to-face assessments are suspended, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Justin Tomlinson says -

‘We are not currently able to lift the suspension on face-to-face assessments for IIDB claims due to the restrictions in place to control the spread of COVID-19, but work is continuing at pace to ensure readiness when these restrictions are lifted.’

However, Mr Tomlinson also advises that IIDB claims are still being processed for claimants with terminal illnesses and those who have ‘Fast Track’ prescribed diseases without the need for a face-to-face assessment.

In addition, while Mr Tomlinson says that the current number of outstanding IIDB claims awaiting an assessment has risen to 5,300 (an increase of approximately 3,000 since March 2020) with an average age of 116 days, he set out the steps the Department is now taking to deal with the backlog pending the resumption of face-to-face assessments -

‘Following a successful trial, we have now begun paper-based assessments for certain prescribed diseases. Assessing some cases on paper means that we can reduce the overall backlog and give some claimants the awards they are entitled to. Over the coming weeks, we will be looking to increase the volume of cases we are able to process in this way based on the feedback we receive from our providers and healthcare professionals who are ensuring that the quality of the assessment outcomes remains high. At present the paper-based approach includes claims for asbestosis (D1) and Pleural Thickening (D9), which you specifically refer to in your letter.’

The correspondence between Mr Timms and Mr Tomlinson is available from parliament.uk