40% of benefit assessments lead to refusal

● 38.8% of PIP applications were rejected in Halton

MORE than a third of disability benefit claims across Halton are being rejected as people struggle to navigate a process campaigners have called ‘ deliberately complicated and difficult’.

Government figures reveal 342 Personal Independence Payment – better known as PIP – claims in Runcorn and Widnes were given a decision in July this year, the most recently published monthly data.

And 38.8% – 133 – were rejected, 104 of which were for failing the assessment and 23 were for failing to return the questionnaire in time.

The rest were for other unspecified reasons.

PIP is a benefit designed to help cover the extra costs of long-term health conditions and disabilities among people aged 16 and over.

A person claiming the benefit must need help with everyday tasks like dressing, washing, and eating food, or help with getting around.

The often lengthy application process involves filling in a questionnaire and submitting evidence – usually including a faceto-face assessment - to the Department For Work And Pensions (DWP) on how their disability affects them.

Disabled People Against Cuts said the high number of claims being disallowed meant people with disabilities were being left without the help they need for extra costs, as support system cuts mean vulnerable people are struggling to navigate the complicated process.

Across the rest of the Liverpool City Region, the situation was worst in

Wirral, with 36.8% of PIP claims given a decision in July being rejected.

That was followed by Sefton (33.9%), Liverpool (33.5%), St Helens (32.7%) and Knowsley (31.8%).

The figures also reveal why PIP claims were disallowed.

The majority (685) were rejected because the person was found not to meet the requirements needed to receive the benefit following a face-to-face assessment of their needs.

A further 18 claims were rejected after the person failed to attend the assessment, and 276 were disallowed because the questionnaire was not returned to the DWP in time.

The remaining six were rejected for other, unspecified reasons.

PIP was first introduced as part of a phased roll out from June 2013 to replace Disability Living Allowance.

It has, however, been heavily criticised by disability campaigners as being an overly complicated system.

Separate figures released by the DWP reveal a total of 9,400 complaints relating to PIP assessments were received by assessment providers in 2018 – a record high.

Ellen Clifford, from Disabled People Against Cuts, said: “The high number of PIP claims that are disallowed are an indication of vast numbers of disabled people who are being left struggling to manage without any help towards the extra costs of disability.

“The current rate for decisions overturned at appeal is 75%.

“That figure is reflective of a deeply unfair system.

“Many disabled people give up before they get to the appeal stage because they are simply too worn down or don’t have the support or resources.

“Cuts to social care and advice services mean that many disabled people, for example people living with severe mental distress, people with learning difficulties or autistic people, just don’t have any support to navigate what is a deliberately complicated and difficult process.

She added: “What is needed is a complete overhaul of the system and an end to unnecessary repeat assessments for people whose conditions are never going to change or indeed will only get worse.

“We need a Government competent enough to make a fair assessment of numbers needing help with the extra costs of disability, to budget accordingly and to make the social security system fit for purpose.”

The figures reflect the outcomes prior to Government reconsiderations and appeals from claimants.

Those who receive the benefit get between £23.20 and £148.85 per week depending on the level of support they need for their disability.

A DWP spokesperson said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information supplied by the claimant, including supporting evidence from health or social care professionals.

“We want people with a disability or health condition to get the support they are entitled to and if someone disagrees with a decision they can ask for it to be reviewed.”