Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Review the effectiveness of benefit assessments and experience of claimants
Closed
524 signatures
What the petition asks
We want a review on:
1. the ability of caseworkers to assess claims, including the need for assessors (who write reports for caseworkers) to have experience of the conditions they assess, and other resources available to the caseworker.
1. the ability of caseworkers to assess claims, including the need for assessors (who write reports for caseworkers) to have experience of the conditions they assess, and other resources available to the caseworker.
2. the experience of claimants including the tone of letters.
We believe that assessors need experience of the conditions they are assessing and that caseworkers should use additional resources such as a panel of experts to help understand conditions and/or medical terminology. A review must look at issues that arise from assessors not having relevant experience and the caseworkers not having sufficient time or resources to do adequate research into a condition beyond reading the assessors report. We also believe that the tone of award letters can be accusatory, interrogatory, and extremely upsetting, especially if the claimant is vulnerable.
We believe that assessors need experience of the conditions they are assessing and that caseworkers should use additional resources such as a panel of experts to help understand conditions and/or medical terminology. A review must look at issues that arise from assessors not having relevant experience and the caseworkers not having sufficient time or resources to do adequate research into a condition beyond reading the assessors report. We also believe that the tone of award letters can be accusatory, interrogatory, and extremely upsetting, especially if the claimant is vulnerable.
Timeline
| 22 Nov 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 22 May 2024 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
524
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
22 Nov 2023
Closed
22 May 2024
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.