Specialist Benefits

The purpose of the assessment is to understand how your illness, health condition or disability affects your daily life.

The assessment varies depending on the Specialist Benefit you are applying for. We carry out the following Specialist Benefit assessments:

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit assessments
• Veterans UK assessments
• Other assessments – occasionally we carry out other assessments. If you cannot find your assessment type listed here, please call the telephone number stated in your appointment letter.

You can read about our commitments to you, and how you can help in return, in the Customer Charter.

Click the links below to read more information about preparing for:

• Face-to-face assessments
• Video assessments
• Telephone assessments

Find out more about the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Veterans UK assessments below.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit assessments

Here is a step by step overview:

1. Initial review: a case administrator will conduct a detailed review of your questionnaire form and any supporting evidence you have provided. They will seek further advice from a doctor if needed.

2. Booking your assessment: we will inform you if an assessment is required and if so, confirm details of your appointment by letter. The letter will tell you whether your assessment will be face-to-face, video or by telephone. Our case administrators use the information you have provided to determine which assessment is the most appropriate for you.

In certain cases, the case administrator may decide we have sufficient information to complete an assessment without a face-to-face, video or telephone appointment.

3. Assessment: one of our doctors will carry out your assessment. All our doctors are trained to carry out your assessment.

Assessments should last between 20 minutes and one hour but may take longer if more time is needed.

Find out more about face-to-face, video and telephone assessments here, including how to prepare, what happens during the assessment, and what happens afterwards.

4. Assessment report: after the assessment, the doctor will create a report using the guidelines given to them by DWP. The report will be sent to DWP to tell them about your disability, illness or health conditions and the usual things you do every day.

If you want a copy of your assessment report, you can ask the DWP office handling your claim for a copy of the full report. You can get a copy of the report after you have a decision about your claim. The relevant telephone number will be on the letters you have received about your claim. If you cannot locate the telephone number, please call us on the telephone number stated in your appointment letter.

5. Decision: DWP will make a decision about your benefit entitlement and inform you by letter.

Find out more about Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit from DWP here Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Veterans UK assessments

Here is a step by step overview:

1. Booking your assessment: we will inform you if an assessment is required and if so, confirm details of your appointment by letter. The letter will tell you whether your assessment will be face-to-face, or by telephone.

2. Assessment: one of our doctors will carry out your assessment. All our doctors are trained to carry out your assessment.

Assessments should last between 20 minutes and one hour but may take longer if more time is needed.

Find out more about face-to-face, and telephone assessments here, including how to prepare, what happens during the assessment, and what happens afterwards.

3. Assessment report: after the assessment, the doctor will create a report using the guidelines given to them by Veterans UK. The report will be sent to Veterans UK to tell them about your disability, illness or health conditions and the usual things you do every day.

If you want a copy of your assessment report, you can ask Veterans UK for a copy of the full report. You can get a copy of the report after you have a decision about your claim. The relevant telephone number will be on the letters you have received about your claim. If you cannot locate the telephone number, please call us on the telephone number stated in your appointment letter.

5. Decision: Veterans UK will make a decision about your benefit entitlement and inform you by letter.

Find out more about Veterans UK from gov.uk here Veterans UK – GOV.UK .

It is important to provide as much relevant evidence as possible when completing your initial application. The more information you provide early on, the better the healthcare professional can understand how your daily life is affected. It may also mean you do not need to attend an assessment. It is important you return your questionnaire by the date on the letter you are sent to avoid delays.

If you get new supporting evidence before your assessment, you can share this with the healthcare professional during your assessment.

If you have difficulties getting your evidence, please provide contact details for those involved in your treatment or care (for example, your doctor, carer, or support worker) on your questionnaire. Our team may contact those listed if further evidence is required. We do not expect you to pay for supporting evidence.

Here are some examples of useful evidence (not all may apply to you):

• Letters from hospitals, GPs, or specialists (excluding appointment letters)
• X-ray, ultrasound, or scan reports (not the actual images)
• Diagnostic reports
• Special Educational Needs reports
• Prescriptions (including repeat prescription lists)
• Occupational Therapy reports or letters
• Summary of conditions
• Letters from specialists
• Carers assessment or diary
• Social worker assessment
• Care plans
• Psychiatrist or CPN reports
• Evidence from support workers
• Evidence from family members or friends who can provide insight into your daily functioning.

You do not need to send :

• Appointment letters from hospitals or other treatment providers.
• Previously submitted information.
• Condition or medication factsheets.
• Information about tests you are going to have.
• Public transport tickets, directions or maps for appointments you have attended.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter.

You can have someone with you during the assessment if you choose to. While this person cannot speak for you, they can help clarify your answers and explain any difficulties you face. Here are some examples of who you may choose to bring with you:

• Companion: for example, a friend, family member, carer, or support worker. Please note if you are bringing a companion as a translator or interpreter, they must be over 16 years of age.
• Appointee: DWP-approved appointees (friends, relatives, or corporate representatives) can accompany you. Please let us know in advance if they are arranging a substitute or cannot attend in person. If you are not accompanied, we will be unable to carry out your assessment.
• Children: Please avoid bringing children to your assessment. If childcare is an issue, please let us know by calling Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter.

Please contact Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter at least 2 working days before your assessment to let us know if you need:

• An assessment on the ground floor because you cannot use stairs unaided in an emergency.
• A language interpreter. A relative or friend can interpret for you, but they must be 16 years old or over.
• As assessment with a healthcare professional of the same gender as you, for example on cultural or religious grounds. We will try our best to provide one for you, but this may not always be possible.

If you require a sign language interpreter. You are welcome to bring your own sign language interpreter, but they must be 16 years old or over. If you would like us to provide a sign language interpreter for your assessment, please call Ingeus on the number stated in your appointment letter. Please call at least 14 days before your assessment where possible.

You can also request other reasonable adjustments to ensure your assessment is accessible and comfortable. Please contact Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter to let us know your needs.

If you attend a face-to-face assessment, we will pay back:

• Public transport costs from your current address to the assessment centre
• Parking costs if you use a private vehicle
• Reasonable travel expenses for a companion

To claim travel expenses for a companion, you must contact us before the day of your assessment to get these approved. If you do not do this, we will not be able to pay their travel expenses. If you come in a private vehicle, we will be able to help you with your fuel costs.

A travel expenses claim form and pre-paid envelope is included with your appointment letter. You can also request this from reception at our assessment centres. Please keep your receipts as you will need to send these to us. If you require assistance completing this form, or have any questions about claiming expenses, please contact Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter.

In some cases, if your health condition or disability means you find it difficult to travel, we may consider reimbursing the cost of a taxi. If you feel that you need to take a taxi, you should contact Ingeus first on the telephone number stated in your letter. We will then confirm whether you are eligible to claim for your taxi costs.

If you attend a video assessment, there are specific situations where we may consider paying the data costs incurred during the video assessments when streaming via your Wi-Fi. Please note this does not apply if you have an unlimited data internet plan.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, but it is really important that you make very effort to attend your assessment. If you cannot attend, let us know right away. You can contact Ingeus on the telephone number stated in your letter. Remember, you can only reschedule your appointment once.