Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DEMEANED AFTER A LIFETIME FIGHTING
Dermot hits out at PIP applications
A MAN with a rare and incurable genetic condition has questioned the need to put those with lifelong health issues through “soul destroying” PIP applications.
Dermot Devlin said the process of being moved to Personal Independence Payment from the DLA he was awarded as a child, “really affected” his mental health.
The normally upbeat part-time ad agency worker never lets his disability hold him back – and even volunteers to help companies with their access issues.
But the 38-year-old said going through and waiting on the results of his benefits reassessment “has sucked the life out of him”.
He said: “It’s really not fair on a lot of us. Doctors, social workers and occupational therapists have this information on us, so why should we be put through such a demeaning process to prove ourselves?”
The Tyrone man had nothing but compliments for the “lovely” woman who assessed him.
But added: “You have to tell strangers about your medical history, your personal history.
“And they ask you questions like, ‘Can you wipe your own bum’.
“I try to put out a positive image of myself but the test really makes you look at yourself and think what is the worst thing about you.
“It really makes you assess yourself.
“I always think, ‘What can I do?’ but this makes you think, ‘What can’t I do?’.
Dermot has worked all his adult life, first helping his mother in the Greencastle Post Office she ran and then at the ad agency where he has been for 16 years.
But he said, since he is only physically able to work part-time, the financial allowance he gets helps make ends meet.
He added: “It’s extremely difficult. I’ve always had DLA from a young age and it would have been in the higher range.
“I couldn’t survive without it. It helps keep the head above the water.”
Dermot said his assessment was carried out four weeks ago.
That’s after his first appointment was made for him while he was on holiday and the second fell at the time his cousin died.
He explained: “They said you can only move the appointment once.”
After that, Dermot said he was told they would have to ask an office in England for permission to reschedule him again, which worked out. A Department for Communities spokesman said: “In all cases if a person disagrees with the department’s decision to not award PIP, they can ask for the decision to be reviewed and we will consider any additional information provided.
“Claimants can contact the Independent Welfare Changes Helpline on 0808 802 0020.”
TYRONE YESTERDAY