Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether disabled claimants have access to face-to-face support in Jobcentres when Health and Disability Assessments centres are not accessible to those claimants.

Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) is advised to consider the needs of individuals when arranging assessment appointments. If an individual believes they will have any difficulties attending their appointment they should discuss this with CHDA as soon as possible, using the contact details on their appointment letter.

There are a range of provisions in place to ensure assessments are accessible to individuals, in line with the standards under the Equality Act 2010. If a particular Assessment Centre is not accessible to an individual, CHDA can make alternative arrangements for them to visit a different Assessment Centre or arrange for them to be assessed at home. Each case is assessed on the individual merits of the case. Travel expenses to the Assessment Centre will be paid.