Guidance

Carrying out a face-to-face health assessment during COVID-19: guidance for assessment providers

Guidance on carrying out a face-to-face health assessment for a Work Capability Assessment, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Personal Independence Payment.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Guidance for health and disability assessment providers carrying out face-to-face assessments during the COVID-19 period

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Details

This document sets out minimum standards that must be in place before using assessment centres for face-to-face health and disability assessments during the coronavirus (COVID-19) period.

The guidance is for providers carrying out a face-to-face a health assessment for:

  • a Work Capability Assessment, for people claiming Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • other benefits that need a health assessment by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions
Published 29 March 2021
Last updated 15 August 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Guidance for Health and Disability Assessment Providers carrying out Face-to-Face Assessments during COVID-19.

  2. Updated to reflect the latest government guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Removed guidance about people who were clinically extremely vulnerable and on social distancing. Updated the guidance on who claimants can bring with them to the assessment and on wearing face coverings. Removed the social distancing outline specification.

  3. First published.