‘I have no idea how these people sleep’
A disability rights activist is using screenings of a hard-hitting new film to get her message across about the problems faced by benefit claimants.
Jan Underwood, 52, from Rachub near Bethesda, says a recent story about a disabled welfare claimant inspired her to visit Bangor screenings of Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake to give advice and raise awareness.
Ms Underwood said the plight of Lyn Wright, who was told she had “intentionally” missed work assessment appointments when she was having open heart surgery, convinced her to act.
I, Daniel Blake, which is being shown at Pontio, chronicles one man’s struggle against the welfare system.
Ms Underwood believes work assessments carried out by private firm Capita on people claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are weighted against the claimants.
She said: “There are some shocking, shocking stories.
“It’s beyond humanity. How these people who come up with these assessments sleep at night, I just have no idea.
“It was just really good to read the story and see that somebody in the media cared.
“It’s a tragedy against the most vulnerable people in our society and the Government should be ashamed of itself. It’s a disgrace.”
Ms Underwood was awarded Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for life, but was still forced to go through the assessment process for PIP when it replaced DLA.
“I have got PIP,” she said. “I know my rights and I got it, but not everyone knows their rights. This is a way of informing them.”
The advice leaflets being handed out by Ms Underwood at the screenings say claimants should always take someone with them to appointments as a witness, and should always describe their worst day with their condition, and not their best, as they are asked for.
It also gives a list of contacts and links for websites of organisations with help and advice for those applying for PIP.
Ms Underwood suffers from a neurological disorder called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic condition most often affecting one of the limbs.
PIP entitles recipients to a higher rate of benefit and can allow them to have a fully expensed mobility car. Private firm Capita works on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.