The UK Autism Foundation is urging parents, carers and the UK Autism community in to make their views known about the Government's plan to introduce personal independent payments.

The Government is calling for views on these initial draft criteria for the PIP assessment. They will consider comments received by 6 June 2011 before the Department of Work & Pensions tests the likely impact of the draft criteria during the summer. They will consider comments received by 1 August 2011 following completion of the summer testing when we will seek to refine the criteria further, as necessary.

Changes made to the criteria as a result of refinement and testing will be reflected in a second draft of the assessment criteria and regulations, to be published in the autumn.

Please send your comments on the initial draft of the PIP assessment criteria to: Email: PIP.assessment@dwp.gsi.gov.uk DLA Reform – Assessment Development,  Department for Work and Pensions  2nd Floor, Area B, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA.