Attending a face-to-face health assessment safely during COVID-19
As part of your claim for some benefits, or a review of an existing claim, you may need to have a face-to-face health assessment. This page has the information you need if you have to go to an assessment considering Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines.
This information is for Northern Ireland only, if you live in England, Scotland or Wales visit GOV.UK
When a face-to-face assessment may be needed
Benefits that may need you to go to a face-to-face assessment as part of your claim include:
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Universal Credit
The assessment providers have put a range of measures in place so that any assessments can take place safely, following the latest COVID-19 guidance.
You might find it helpful to read this page before you go to your assessment.
Before your assessment
Your appointment letter will include extra information about coming to your assessment. Read this letter before your assessment.
If you are or have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, you should also read the guidance to help you in taking extra precautions:
Help protect you and staff and cut the risk of anyone spreading or getting Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Do not come to your assessment if any of the following reasons apply:
- you or anyone coming with you has symptoms of COVID-19
- you or anyone coming with you is following guidance to self-isolate for any reason
If either of these reasons apply to you, contact the assessment provider straight away using the contact details in your appointment letter. They will rearrange your assessment for you.
Further information is available on Coronavirus (COVID-19): symptoms and Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing and stay at home advice
Who you can bring with you to your assessment
If you need to have someone with you to support you, you can bring one adult.
If you need support from an interpreter contact the assessment provider to talk about this.
Do not bring any children with you to your assessment. If you have a child or children and cannot make childcare arrangements, contact the assessment provider straight away using the contact details in your appointment letter so they can talk about the best way to carry out your assessment.
Face coverings
The assessment providers recommend claimants (and companions where present) to wear a face covering when attending the Assessment Centre unless a reason not to applies.
If you do not already have a face covering when you come to your assessment, a disposable one can be given when you arrive at the assessment centre.
The assessment centre
Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the assessment centre for you to use.
If you need to hand in any documents, for example identity documents, or medical information, give these to the receptionist.
Toilet facilities will be available at the assessment centre. Follow the instructions on site or ask a member of staff.
For Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) assessments, the healthcare professional may need to physically examine you but they will wear extra personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a face shield, an apron and gloves.
If the healthcare professional suspects you, or anyone with you, may have COVID-19 symptoms, they may stop the assessment. You may be asked to go straight home and the assessment will be rescheduled.