In reaction to these concerns, the Government has been looking into ways to improve the assessment process for benefit claimants.

During the pandemic, the DWP halted in-person appointments due to Government-mandated social distancing guidelines.

Over this period, all assessment appointments were carried out over the phone between claimants and health professionals.

As of May 2021, these in-person assessments have slowly returned as part of the department’s general procedure for dealing with claimants’ illnesses or disabilities.

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