Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May to Question 184871 on Personal Independence Payment: Applications, who is taking part in the small-scale test of the digital PIP service; and whether organisations supporting disabled people can offer to contribute to it.

As we test the new online apply service for PIP, it is currently being offered to a small number of claimants who call the department to begin a new claim. Currently, we are offering the service to 60 claimants a day.

Only those claimants who are able to apply online, and feel comfortable doing so, are offered a digital application. Call agents offer this voluntary option to new PIP claimants within scope of the current service until the daily limit is met.

The following user groups are not currently in scope:

• Anyone applying in an official capacity (e.g. appointees);
• Anyone with a Welsh or Northern Ireland postcode;
• Anyone applying for special rules;
• Anyone with a previous or existing PIP or DLA claim; and
• Those without a NINO or with a GY or JY postcode.

As we gradually expand the service, we will incrementally bring more user groups in scope. This approach is allowing us to build, develop and design the service safely.

The department is committed to working with stakeholder organisations as we develop the new online new online apply service for PIP. Their input will be vital to its delivery. To date, three workshops dedicated to the service have been held, engaging with 16 different key stakeholder organisations. These workshops are contributing to the design and the delivery of the service and will continue as we gradually expand the service.