WASTEFUL & POINTLESS
Fury as sick claimants are forced to prove time and time again that they are ill
THOUSANDS of disabled people who suffer from progressively worsening conditions will face reassessment for their benefits this year.
Claimants with illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease will have to go through the tests before they receive personal independence payments (PIP).
Charity campaigners said the reassessments were a waste of time and money and caused unnecessary stress to sick claimants.
SNP MP Carol Monaghan said four constituents with MS were being reassessed for PIP, despite their condition getting progressively worse.
She said: “They’re never going to be any better than they are at the moment, so they should never be asked to go for a reassessment.”
Between April and October last year, 3500 people with rheumatoid arthritis, MS, Parkinson’s and MND were reassessed for PIP, which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
In 2015-16, 2400 people with these conditions were reassessed for PIP, with a total of 200 in the previous two years.
Ministers say award reviews ensure people are getting the right level of support and that the reviews can result in payments being increased.
But Phil Reynolds, policy and campaigns adviser at Parkinson’s UK, said: “The cost of these pointless and wasteful reassessments for Parkinson’s alone will be around £72,800.
“Recent figures show that around a quarter of people with Parkinson’s have lost some or all of their support following reassessment from DLA.
“Many have won the right to receive this again when this has gone to appeal. This is unacceptable and further highlights a shambolic assessment process.
“It’s absolutely crucial that the Department for Work and Pensions look again at the broken PIP assessment to ensure people with long-term conditions get the support they so desperately need, rather than rigging the system against them.”
Laura Wetherly, policy manager for welfare and employment at the MS Society, said that under DLA, 78 per cent of claimants with MS only faced reassessment every five years or more.
However, 47 per cent of those claiming PIP have to be reassessed within two years.
Wetherly added: “Having a disability like MS is hard enough – people should be able to rely on support without fear of having it taken away.”
A DWP spokeswoman said: “Under PIP, 27 per cent of claimants are now receiving the highest rate of support, compared to 15 per cent under DLA.
“PIP is designed to ensure any changes in a claimant’s functional ability can be identified and that they receive the right support at the right time.”