PIP claimants encouraged to tell DWP how it’s health assessments can be improved | Personal Finance | Finance
Nearly three million (2.8) people are claiming PIP but a quarter of claims are unsuccessful. That could all be about to change after news the Work and Pensions Select Committee is looking into how assessments for Personal Independence Payments could be improved.
PIP may be claimed by people who are over 16 and below state pension age and struggling with everyday tasks.
Depending on the severity of an individual’s long term health condition or disability, Britons could receive up to £608 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
However, it’s not always that straightforward with some people criticising the DWP’s assessment process.
Now, people on PIP, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit are being invited to have their say.
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They continued: “We might publish some or all of your responses on our website or social media, or read them out when we’re asking questions in a public Committee meeting or in the House of Commons.
“We won’t ask for your name or publish any details that could identify you.”
This could be the perfect opportunity for Britons who are unhappy with the health assessments carried out by the DWP to have their say.
This month a cancer patient from Worthing told Express.co.uk how she was left feeling “broken both physically and mentally” after going through the PIP process.
The 55-year-old woman called Allison said: “My experience with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) versus the health assessors has been awful and ongoing for years, they have left me broken both physically and mentally.
“When calling the DWP I was spoken to badly, with rude staff who are also ill-informed, the questioning made me feel intimidated and I felt I had to prove I was ill over and over.
“The stress is immense when you have to rely on them for a roof over your head.”
Unfortunately, Allison’s story is not unique, with research from Macmillan Cancer Support highlighting that this is a huge problem affecting many others.
Their figures show that almost 2.5 million people across the UK end up being around £900 a month worse off after being diagnosed with cancer.
Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “At a time when people with cancer should be focusing on their health, many are faced with a long wait to receive the benefits they need.”
In response to this case, a DWP spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we were not provided with the necessary information to look into this case.
“We support millions of people every year, and our priority is ensuring they receive the benefits to which they’re entitled while providing a compassionate and professional service.”
“The latest figures show that we get the initial decision right in the majority of cases, with only 5 percent overturned at a tribunal.”
