Officials are making “disgraceful” decisions to slash the benefits of people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
That’s the view of Worcester Citizens Advice volunteer David Matthews.
Citizens Advice volunteer David Matthews: he says the vulnerable are missing out in the switch from Disability Living Allowance to the Personal Independence Payment
He says those with learning disabilities and mental health problems suffer when they move from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
National rollout
The UK government is rolling out the PIP as a new benefit to replace DLA.
When people switch, assessors decide how much they get.
Matthews, a retired civil servant, says while assessors have medical training they lack an awareness of learning disabilities and mental health.
Matthews, 72, said the assessors treat those with physical disabilities more sympathetically.
He said the assessors, who in Worcester are employed by Capita, deal with them a “bit more fairly”.
‘Disgraceful’ treatment over benefits
Benefits caseworker Matthews called the treatment of one 60-year-old woman with a learning disability “disgraceful”.
In total, the woman lost over £200 per week. More than £100 of that resulted from switching from DLA to PIP. The rest came from also seeing her Housing Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance slashed.
Matthews says the woman cannot walk unaided. Neither can she cook for herself, read or write or complete tasks such as using a cash machine.
She also suffers from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, incontinence, arthritis, asthma and carpal tunnel syndrome (pain in the hand and fingers).
Access to specialist support
A spokesperson for Capita said assessors have access to specialist support from colleagues, who advise on “learning difficulties and mental health”.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the latest research shows 76 per cent of PIP claimants are satisfied with their overall experience.
Related:
- Charity condemns harm of benefit change
- Adults lose right to blue parking badge
- New voice for learning disabilities
Published: 19 January 2018
